Drivers who also cycle have been found to be more observant than motorists who don’t, according to a study commissioned by Ford Motor Company.
The study shows that drivers who cycle identify small but significant changes in driving scenarios more quickly and this heightened awareness could speed response and help prevent accidents.
It asked 2,000 people in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, to examine pairs of seemingly identical images showing a variety of traffic scenes. In each scenario, drivers who cycled were quicker to spot the difference.
The research was commissioned as part of Ford’s “Share The Road” campaign that seeks to foster harmony between road users so that everyone can enjoy safer journeys.
“Young drivers need to develop the skills that will help them to become confident, careful and considerate drivers. By understanding the importance of, for example, ensuring they give cyclists enough space on the road, we can help make journeys more enjoyable and safer for everyone,” said Jim Graham, manager, Ford Driving Skills for Life (Ford DSFL).
Senior Behavioural Strategist Thea Knight, who conducted the research, added: “Critical to driving, is a person’s ability to notice and respond to hazards. This study has shown that being both a cyclist and a driver could lead to quicker processing of visual information. This includes visual cues related to other drivers, road signs, pedestrians and cyclists on the road.”
