April 2022

"A Wisconsin police officer escaped serious injury when a hit-and-run driver crashed into his motorcycle during a traffic stop last week.

The Green Bay Police Department released body camera footage of the scary incident, which happened April 19, the department stated in a social media post. A motorcycle officer had pulled over a car and was entering information on his cycle's mobile data terminal.

That's when another vehicle barreled into the back of the officer's motorcycle before rear-ending the stopped vehicle and continuing on. The officer was standing next to his motorcycle at the time and only suffered minor injuries.

Police located and apprehended the driver a short time later. The driver faces hit-and-run and other traffic charges.

"Green Bay Police are urging motorists to stay focused while driving, especially with motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians being back on the road," the department said in a statement. "We are thankful that the officer standing next to the motorcycle was able to walk away from this accident, please pay attention while driving so you can arrive at your destination safely."

https://www.officer.com/vehicl...-rearends-motorcycle





People tend to veer toward the focus of their attention.


It is commonly taught in motorcycle riding schools and textbooks, (paraphrased) "you go where you look, so look where you want to go."
eg, if there's a rock in your lane, don't look at the rock, look at the pathway around it. If a deer leaps from roadside don't look at the deer, look at your clear pathway. if the car in front of you slams on the brakes ..., if the racer ahead of you low-sides and slides off the track ...

It takes understanding and a lot of 'practice' to embed this concept into your driving/riding.



Target fixation is a natural and all too frequently dangerous phenomenon. If you have to stop your car or bike closer than you like by the side of the road, stay far away from it. Unfortunately, officers don't always have that option.





_______________________________________

'The term "target fixation" may have been borrowed from World War II fighter pilots, who spoke of a tendency to want to fly into targets during a strafing run.

Target fixation is a process by which the brain is focused so intently on an observed object that awareness of other obstacles or hazards can diminish. Also, in an avoidance scenario, the observer can become so fixated on the target that the observer will end up colliding with the object.'

https://psychology.fandom.com/wiki/Target_fixation

I don't believe the vehicle actually struck the car that was pulled over. Looked like he just took out the cycle.

Perhaps better if the Officer had the car to stop not in the shade of the bridge but rather in the sunlight.
The 'go where your looking' is a common occurrence; a bad habit that the vehicle operator should guard against. It is however useful when parking.

The driver that hit him took off.
Absolute trash.

Kilt that Hog ded.


Smart bombs and dumb drivers, work on the same principle.

The story notes the hit and run driver was arrested shortly after the incident. Hmmmm, wonder why the story didn't include a mug shot or booking photo?

Are they sure this wasn't intentional?

Damn! Glad the officer is ok.

Definitely intentional, perfect hit to minimize damage to driver's car. Also the perp did not pull over.

There have been studies made that show many people fixate on cop warning lights and actually steer toward them as they approach the patrol car.

I drive under that highway every day here in Green Bay...Shawano Avenue right under I-41.

Strange this was the first I heard of it. I must not be paying attention enough.

Just trying to help a fellow motorist get out of a ticket.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
Definitely intentional, perfect hit to minimize damage to driver's car. Also the perp did not pull over.

Looked that way to me. I'd love to be on the jury when this case comes to trial.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
There have been studies made that show many people fixate on cop warning lights and actually steer toward them as they approach the patrol car.

Kind of reminds me of what I told my kids when I taught them to ride bicycles and snowboard....Don't look where you don't want to go. Focus on where you do want to go.

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
There have been studies made that show many people fixate on cop warning lights and actually steer toward them as they approach the patrol car.

Kind of reminds me of what I told my kids when I taught them to ride bicycles and snowboard....Don't look where you don't want to go. Focus on where you do want to go.

Yup. Had a kid the other night who drove through the top part of the "T" in a T intersection. It was just farm fields and one phone pole out that way...plenty of opportunity to go barely to the left or barely to the right and he could have skated with a slightly rough ride and a change of underwear. But instead he drove right into the pole. I guarantee when he realized what was happening, he panicked, stared right at that pole, the one thing he didn't want to hit...and drove right into it. Thankfully no serious injuries, but it sure made a mess of his car and the pole.

I can't see doing traffic enforcement on a highway on a motorcycle. Just too darn dangerous. It's bad enough in a car.