How well can you pay attention and focus during distraction?
This 60-second video will test your mind's awareness, focus and concentration. It's definitely worth checking out so you can find out how well you can pay attention when you are distracted. If you have trouble playing the video below, you can click here to view it on YouTube.
Important Note: Don't scroll down to read the text below the video until you've watched it or else you might ruin the test's accuracy and results!
Surprised?
This is a great video that really makes you think. The point is obvious, but here are a couple additional thoughts I wanted to share.
For Drivers: Don't forget to look both ways AND check sidewalks at every intersection. As this video shows, it's easy to miss what you're not looking for. You can be perfectly aware of the other cars around you, but unless you're looking for pedestrians or cyclists, they can seemingly come out of nowhere, even though they're using the sidewalks or sharing the roadways with you. This is especially true if you are making a right-hand turn, which I've learned from experience as a driver and a runner/cyclist. How often do you also look before making a right-hand turn? Use this as a friendly reminder to look both ways—you never know if someone could be crossing the street on your right side if you're not looking. In addition, distracted driving is dangerous driving. It's hard enough to watch for automobiles, but looking for pedestrians while obeying traffic laws and talking on your cell phone or eating breakfast behind the wheel is an accident waiting to happen.
For Pedestrians and Cyclists: Be hyper aware and run, walk or bike defensively. When I run or bike, I always assume that no drivers see me or look for me, and this awareness and caution has saved me from many close calls. Make sure you run or walk against traffic, especially if there are no sidewalks, so that you can see traffic coming your way. (The opposite is true for cyclists who must ride with the flow of traffic.) Watch for cars coming out of driveways, parking spots and at every stop sign or intersection. Making eye contact with a driver doesn't ensure that he or she really does see you or will yield to you either. Like I mentioned above, be especially aware at intersections. Many drivers to not use their turn signals or look both ways before turning, so watch out and obey the rules of traffic. And remember to make yourself as visible as possible, especially when it's dark out. Wear bright or light colors, reflective materials or a blinking safety light so that others can see you. If you bike when it's dark out, local law may require you to have a headlight and/or blinking light on your bicycle, but even if it doesn't, you should do so for your own safety.
If you've ever walked, ran, or biked on a road or sidewalk outside, you've probably had one or two close calls with automobiles. Perhaps you're a driver who almost struck a pedestrian or cyclist and felt your heart jump into your throat as you slammed on your breaks in the nick of time. I hate to admit it, but I have had a couple close calls as a driver myself, both of which reminded me that I need to pay more attention to the roads AND the sidewalks when I drive, just as I'd want people to do for me while I run.
Let's all use this as a reminder to keep the roads safe this winter! For more workout safety tips for outdoor exercisers, click here.
Have you ever had a close call as a driver, pedestrian or cyclist? Will this video help you think twice about driving distracted or being aware of your surroundings?
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