This paper reviews accident literature to estimate the size of the problem where drivers look in the appropriate direction but fail to see the person or vehicle with which they collide; to evaluate the genuine nature of the phenomenon; and to consider whether the problem is researchable. Evidence from the literature showed 'looked but failed to see' (LBFTS) was an important contributory factor in accidents, most of which involved failure to give way or avoid an object in the road, and occurred in daylight. Alternative explanations for the errors recorded as LBFTS are considered. Psychological bases for genuine LBFTS errors are seen as limited capacity for processing information, attentional selectivity and illusory conjunctions of stimulus features. Research is required to estimate the use of LBFTS as an excuse by faulty drivers or as a default option by investigating police officers. For the covering abstract see ITRD E116025.
Samenvatting