What optical illusions can a car driver have: explanation and why they are dangerous

Optical illusions on the road are a source of great danger. If a driver makes an incorrect visual assessment of the situation, he or she may seriously violate traffic rules and cause a road accident.

To help you deal with potentially dangerous situations, the TikTok blog "Do You Know the Rules of the Road?" has published a list of such illusions. Pay attention to it and always take it into account when you are driving.

The color illusion

The vast majority of people perceive moving objects of different colors differently. For example, a dark car seems slower and the distance to it seems longer than it actually is. Therefore, the speed of a dark car and the distance to it are often underestimated.

Light cars, on the other hand, give the impression of being extremely fast and much closer than they actually are. Therefore, the position and speed of a light-colored vehicle is often overestimated.

This is why light-colored cars are safer on the road. Or cars painted in a bright color.

The illusion of speed

If you drive at a constant speed for a long time, your brain adapts to these conditions. This can lead to a false estimate of your own speed. You will think that you are moving quite slowly, although in reality you may be moving very fast. Therefore, constantly monitor yourself with the speedometer.

The illusion of time

The way you drive a car can be strongly influenced by your mood. For example, a driver who feels psychologically well, elated, and exhilarated, it seems that time flies by. But a bad mood "slows down" the passage of time. At least, according to your senses.

Similarly, when you're in a hurry, you feel like you have very little time and need to move faster. The level of attentiveness decreases, the driver begins to panic, and this can provoke a violation of the rules. That's why it's important not to fuss on the road and keep your excitement under control as much as possible.

Always keep in mind that it seems to us that time passes twice as fast when we are in a hurry. But this is just an illusion, a distorted perception of the world. Patience, attentiveness, lack of fuss, and constant monitoring of the actual speed of the car can save your life and the lives of others. Try to remain calm in any situation as much as possible.

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