Konferens: 2nd international conference on driver distraction and inattention, 2011, Gothenburg, Sweden

In dynamic, feature rich sensory environments, incoming inputs would easily overwhelm the brain's capacity for effective intake and action were it not for reflexive mechanisms which protect the integrity of information processing. These mechanisms include the inhibition of the transmission of sensory signals (sensory gating) and their neglect from consciousness (attentional blindness) as well as a temporary neglect of the spatial location of the sensory stimulus (inhibition of return). While these mechanisms offer a great deal of robustness and flexibility in our interaction with the environment, they also entail intrinsic “blind spots” in attention which, given the wrong circumstances, encourage error and accident.