Obstacles to visibility

Rain, wintry precipitation and fog can significantly limit the field of view. But other circumstances can also make percieving more difficult, both at night and during the day.

Low sun

Low sun is particularly an issue during spring and autumn. It is mostly an issue during the morning and late afternoon. If you have the sun in your face it can limit your field of view significantly. If you also have a dirty or scratched visor, your visibility can become dangerously impaired. You may overlook other traffic, bends and traffic lights. If this occurs immediately lower your speed by releasing the throttle.

Regularly clean your visor. During long rides, take a cloth and a bottle of water with you, so you can also clean the visor on the go. Use sunglasses or the sun visor of your helmet if necessary.

If you have the low sun at your back, do keep in mind that oncoming traffic may see you poorly because they have to face the sun. The advise is to always run dipped headlights while riding on a moped. During low sun it is even more important to ensure that you are visible better.

Shadow under the trees

On sunny days, it can also become necessary to run dipped head lights, for example when you are driving on a road with a lot of overhanging trees and branches. The light that shines through the leaves can create a glare that greatly impacts visibility. Vehicles without dipped headlights are less noticeable.

Twilight

Your vision is always reduced in twilight hours, as colours begin to fade. Your eyes must adjust to the deminished light. This happens more quicky for some than others. Because you have the idea that you can still see reasonably well during twilight, you are less likely to turn on the dipped headlight. That is why you will encounted poorly lit and thus barely visible vehicles during twilight than during the dark.

Dark

Of course, the vision is much worse in the dark than during the day. Even when you use sufficient lighting, many areas remain unlit and therefore more difficult to see. In addition to that, pedestrians, poorly lit cyclists and obstacles on unlit roads are often not immediately visible. Some people also suffer from night blindness, which makes their vision in the dark even worse. Riding in the dark is then not advised.

Adjust your speed to the visibility you have. Try to anticipate the course of the road using the roadside posts, streetlamps, markings on the road, signs and lighting. If necessary, use your full-beam headlight, but dim it immediately when you encounter oncoming traffic or if there is a vehicle in front of you. Do not ride against the verge on roads without pavements or lighting. If it is safe to do so, choose a position slightly closer to the centre of the road. This is also safer for pedestrians or cyclists that walk or cycle on the side of the road.

In the evening and during the night, the chance of crossing wildlife is also the biggest. Keep this in mind in places where this is common by lowering your speed.

Polder blindness and tunnel vision

Polder blindness arises when you look too far into the distance on long straight and monotonous roads. You will then stare, and your field of view becomes narrower. This is called ‘tunnel vision’. Side roads are then less noticeable. You can easily overlook vehicles that are approaching on these side roads. This sometimes causes accidents on intersections where you would not immediately expect this due to the good visibility.

Stay aware of your viewing behaviour and avoid staring by shifting your gaze every few seconds.