Tunnel Effect

When you move at an excessive speed your vision will decrease, the images will become more and more diffuse, this is what experts call the tunnel effect.

For example, when a driver is moving at about 65 km/h, the angle of vision can be reduced to 70º , and when it increases to 100 km/h, the peripheral vision angle will drop to 42º, at 130 km/h. your angle of vision will be reduced to 30º, here you will experience the true tunnel effect.

In short, the tunnel effect is the loss of the lateral field of vision , due to excessive speed with which a driver moves, which gives the sensation of being inside a tunnel.

Consequences of the tunnel effect when driving

Some people consider that the tunnel effect does not have major consequences, but the reality is quite the opposite, we can reduce it in that you will be more vulnerable to an accident, but, so that you understand it better, we specify each consequence:

• Your peripheral vision is reduced while driving, making you more likely to be involved in an accident at an intersection.
• You can pass a traffic signal , risking even the lives of pedestrians, since you will not be able to appreciate in detail what is happening in your environment. This even makes you a risk to other drivers.
• You will not be able to adequately assess either the distances or the speeds of the rest of the vehicles.
• When driving at excessive speed and experiencing the tunnel effect, you will be driving as if you were under the influence of alcohol.

Viewing angles under the tunnel effect

The angle of vision is the total that the human eye can perceive, this varies depending on the speed with which it circulates:

• If you drive at 65 km/h, your viewing angle is 70°.
• If you drive at 100 km/h, the angle is reduced to 42°.
• If you drive at 130 km/h, it is reduced to 30°.
• Finally, if you are driving at 150 km/h, the viewing angle is reduced to 18°.

Dangers of the tunnel effect

By not having peripheral vision, the danger of causing an accident increases considerably, since we do not know what is happening around us.

Likewise, the tunnel effect favors the appearance of fatigue, stress and aggressiveness on the motorcycle, which, in turn, reduces the ability to anticipate and react, increasing braking distance.

How can the effect be avoided?

The answer is simple, respecting the speed limits, when driving at a low speed, the driver has a vision of 104°, this means that he can appreciate not only what is happening in front, but also to the sides. Which generates greater safety when driving.

Respecting speed limits, hand in hand with respect for traffic signs, can guarantee safer driving, and that is precisely what the DGT expects each driver to have as a priority while moving. Have you experienced the tunnel effect ? when driving? If so, think twice next time, after all, it is about your safety, your companions and those around you.