The effects of daytime headlight operation and light colored clothing on motorists' perception of motorcycles

Abstract

This study was designed to ascertain if daytime motorcycle headlight operation and light colored wearing apparel of the motorcyclist had a significant effect upon the motorists' awareness of the motorcycle and motorcyclist. To investigate the relationships between motorist awareness of motorcycle headlight operation and motorcyclist wearing apparel, three hypotheses were tested from data gathered in Hays County, Texas. The hypotheses were tested by a correlational analysis of all the experimental data and a separate chi square analysis of each of the independent variables. One reason for this study was to determine if there is a statistical support for enacting a state law making daytime motorcycle headlight operation and wearing of light colored clothing mandatory. The subjects for this study were 408 motorists who were randomly selected and interviewed at three separate locations in the City of San Marcos, Texas. The data collection instrument was an interview form upon which was recorded the drivers' response to a question asking if the motorist had seen a motorcycle at a general location within the test area. The treatment conditions were a part of the motorcycle and rider configuration incorporating the color of clothing worn and headlight condition during the various treatments. The independent variables were thusly accounted for and the dependent variable was the motorists' answer to the interview question. Data were collected during the summer of 1976. These data were analyzed and used to test the following null hypotheses: Ho₁: Motorists' daytime awareness of motorcycles is not significantly related to the color of clothing worn by the motorcyclist and the illumination of the motorcycle headlight. Ho₂: Motorists' daytime awareness of motorcycles is not significantly related to the illumination of the motorcycle headlight. Ho₃: Motorists' daytime awareness of motorcycles is not significantly related to the color of clothing worn by the motorcyclist. The three hypotheses tested could not be rejected at the .05 significance level. Failure to reject the three hypotheses indicated that motorcycle daytime headlight operation and light colored wearing apparel made no significant difference upon the motorists' perception of the motorcycle and rider.