What is inattentional blindness in the context of driving?

Inattentional blindness refers to a phenomenon where an individual fails to notice an unexpected event or object in their environment because their focus is on something else. In the context of driving, this can manifest when a driver is so concentrated on the road or another task—such as navigating or conversations—that they miss crucial visual cues, such as a pedestrian stepping into the crosswalk, a stop sign, or a vehicle changing lanes. This lack of awareness can lead to accidents since the driver did not perceive relevant information that was in their field of vision.

This concept highlights the importance of broadening one's attention while driving to remain aware of all aspects of the driving environment. Inattentional blindness emphasizes the need for drivers to constantly scan their surroundings, rather than fixating so intently on specific tasks that they become oblivious to unexpected occurrences that could have safety implications.