Hot-Wired

We're all wired this way.

Usually it is good, filtering out the clutter, but occasionally it catches us. A few years ago I was hit broadside by a young woman who was turning left into a parking lot. There was nothing unusual about the situation except that I wasn't a car.

Late last fall an older woman passed me from behind and then turned right immediately in front of me. I don't know if she signaled because she wasn't even past me when she turned. I swerved and missed her. I asked (a bit louder than usual) what she was doing. "I didn't see you," she lamented. I was right there, but again, I wasn't a car.

We tune our habits to our most common experiences. I nearly hit a motorcycle as I changed lanes about 1 year ago. He was riding in my blind spot, I looked back, but I didn't see/notice him. It bothered me so I added a wide-view mirror to my side mirror. Honestly, I'm not sure it would have helped.

Since then I've tried to be more aware of it. I think this would have helped.