Looking is not always seeing

As the clocks have gone back and we are starting to practice “hygge”, the latest feel-good craze imported from Denmark (creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people around you), this is a time when we need to be extra vigilant and start looking and seeing. 

Do you think you always look and see? What about that time your best friend had a haircut and you didn’t remark on it, someone in the office started wearing glasses and all you could think was there’s something different about them, but could not put your finger on it?

How many of us have arrived home and cannot recall a particular part of the journey? Proof if needed that we may be looking but not always seeing. 

For instance with dark mornings and nights, fog and mist. By the way do you know the difference? The density of fog and mist are different. In fog the distance you can see (known as visibility) is less than 1km, but in mist the visibility distance can be 1-2km.  How should we look and what should we look for when driving or riding in fog?

Well a good start would be the people around us; remember side on with no lights even a large vehicle can be hard to see. Pedestrians too can favour fashion over function and blend into the background. Road surface issues can be a problem and the pothole we would normally steer around attracts like a magnet; a major problem on two wheels. Road markings too can disappear, so slow down and be prepared for others to make sudden decisions.

So we really do need to have eyes on main beam and we must engage our brains to look that little bit harder for somenne on two wheels and someone on two, even four legs.

Oh and by the way remember to look at the men in your life a little closer because as we hit Movember (www.movember.com) all those moustaches will gradually be appearing…..

Lesley Upham, IAM RoadSmart commercial director