Vision Safety Tips for Drivers
Posted on Nov 14, 2013 11:15am PST
Drivers can sometimes suffer from deteriorated vision and this can make it dangerous for them to be out on the road. With the proper safety precautions, individuals who may have poor vision can still drive safely and work to avoid an accident. According to AARP, drivers that wear eyeglasses need to be sure to keep their prescription up to date and wear proper glasses for both day and night driving. This is a principle that should be followed regardless of age. It is best to choose eyeglass or sunglass frames that have narrow side pieces at the temples. Those that have wide rims or brackets can often block or distract vision and this can cause dangers.
Another important vision safety tip for drivers of all ages is to wear high-quality sunglasses or prescription sunglasses if necessary when driving. It is not wise to drive cars with deeply tinted windows, because this can hamper a driver's vision at night or on overcast days. If you are driving a car with tinted windows, you may want to consider removing the tint in order to aid your vision safety. Also, drivers should glance frequently at the road ahead and also at their rearview mirrors, side mirrors, and their instrument panel. Drivers with vision problems need to work to turn their head with their eyes so that they can properly see to each side.
Drivers need to adjust their seat so that their vision is not obscured at all by the dashboard and so that the road ahead is fully visible. If you cannot see far over the dashboard, you should raise your seat up higher. You may need to use a pillow for proper position if your seat does not adjust to the position that you prefer. You can also increase vision in the car by keeping all mirrors, headlights, and taillights clean and in good repair. This will help to make it easy to see out. When individuals fail to wash their windshields frequently, they can become covered in dust or grime. This can limit visibility in general, but cause serious problems if there is a sun glare that hits the window while it is dirty.
People with poor vision should always work to avoid driving at night or in bad weather. Those who have difficulty seeing in poor-weather situations should make sure to avoid these cases at all time. Also, it is important to increase your concentration on the road in difficult situations by minimizing all distractions. Drivers who have a hard time seeing need to switch off the radio, minimize discussions with passengers, avoid using cell phones, and keep the inside temperature of the car comfortable so that they can fully focus on the road ahead.
Drinking and driving is always illegal and never suggested. However those that are vision-impaired should take extra precaution to make sure that they do not drink and drive. Also, they should always use seat belts when driving as a necessary precaution. For those that have sound vision, medications and prescriptions can still affect vision in some situations. Even those that don't need visual aids can lose their vision if they are unable to see because of a sun glare or thick fog.
It is best to avoid driving at times of the day when the sun could pose a glare, such as at sunset and sunrise. Also, individuals should try to hold off driving in thick fog or driving in extreme weather whenever possible. When vision is difficult, avoid ever braking unnecessarily on the roads or stopping without reason, as approaching cars may not notice until it is too late. If you have been injured in a car accident due to a driver with poor vision, then contact a lawyer at the firm today to learn more!