Drivers face a myriad of distractions on the road. Some are more obvious than others. Some are also more preventable than others. Still, they often pose the same level of risk.
One type of driver distraction is also a psychological phenomenon known as inattentional blindness. What is it? How does it work? And how much of a danger does it pose to drivers?
Who struggles with inattentional blindness?
The American Psychological Association discusses inattentional blindness, including how it affects people. Inattentional blindness happens when a person focuses on one thing so intently that they cannot focus on their surroundings. Thus, they miss other risks and dangers that can pose a threat to them.
New drivers often struggle with inattentional blindness. They are not used to multitasking and often forget to spread their focus out. However, this issue can affect drivers of all ages and experience levels. All it takes is one distraction to end in an accident.
How can you prevent it?
There are some ways you can cut down on the chance of experiencing inattentional blindness. For one, a driver should not hit the road if they are already mentally distracted. This sets a person up for hyper-focusing or being unable to spread their attention out properly. Awareness of inattentional blindness can also help. When a driver notices that they are beginning to fixate on something, they can understand what is happening and break back out of it.
If you were involved in a crash due to inattentional blindness, consider contacting a legal professional. They can help you work through the aftermath of the accident.
