| As a minimum legal requirement to ensure safe | | | | contact lenses should be kept scrupulously |
| driving, drivers should display visual acuity | | | | clean to ensure a clear field of vision. |
| of 20/40 with or without corrective lenses. | | | | |
| Restrictions generally apply to those with | | | | * Wearers of contact lenses, and sufferers |
| acuity between 20/41 and 20/70, limiting them | | | | from hay fever, should also keep a spare pair |
| to driving in daylight hours only. | | | | of glasses in the auto. Switching to a pair |
| | | | of glasses when travelling long distances |
| A 120 degree wide field of view is the | | | | offers some respite for tired, watery eyes. |
| minimum legal requirement for peripheral | | | | |
| vision in order to qualify for a license | | | | * If you need to wear prescription glasses to |
| without restrictions (in some states the | | | | drive, never replace them with |
| threshold is higher at 140 degrees). This is | | | | non-prescription sunglasses. It is illegal |
| with or without corrective lenses. | | | | and does not make for safe driving. Instead, |
| | | | buy a pair of prescription sunglasses, or use |
| If you are a wearer of telescopic lenses, a | | | | clip-on lenses over your prescription lenses. |
| useful driving aid for sufferers of | | | | A cautionary note: You should make sure that |
| diminished visual acuity whose peripheral | | | | your clip-on lenses are suitable for plastic |
| vision remains virtually intact, you will be | | | | lenses. |
| subject to special requirements and | | | | |
| additional testing. | | | | * In adverse weather conditions where |
| | | | visability is poor, such as heavy rain or |
| Telescopic lens wearers must include the | | | | snow, never wear tinted glasses. This rule is |
| ability to locate stationary and moving | | | | equally applicable to tinted motorbike |
| objects within the telescopic field, and the | | | | helmets. |
| ability to adjust successfully to changes in | | | | |
| light levels, especially during inclement | | | | Safe driving also means "vision care" or |
| weather. Excessive contrast and glare | | | | essential checks for your auto. Don't |
| sensitivity also compromises safe driving. | | | | restrict your view by putting non-essential |
| | | | stickers on the windows of your vehicle, or |
| As a responsible driver, then, you should be | | | | hanging objects such as dolls or dice where |
| aware of breaking the law if you fail to meet | | | | they might prove a distraction. |
| these visual standards every time you switch | | | | |
| on your engine. In particular, if you do need | | | | Keep your windscreen clean and free from |
| to wear corrective lenses to meet the driving | | | | scratches, and your lights adjusted to |
| visual standard, it is vital you wear them at | | | | provide good illumination without causing |
| all times. It is a good idea to keep a spare | | | | glare. Protect your eyes from the glare of |
| pair of glasses in the auto so that you are | | | | other vehicles by looking slightly to the |
| never tempted to drive illegally without | | | | left of oncoming traffic at night. Temporary |
| them. | | | | blindness caused by glare can be particularly |
| | | | dangerous. |
| Let's now look more closely at drivers' | | | | |
| eyewaer as this aspect of vision care | | | | Safe driving means showing continuing |
| contributes significantly to safe driving. | | | | responsibility. As we have seen, restrictions |
| Here are some important guidelines: | | | | can apply to drivers where vision is impaired |
| | | | from cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes or any |
| * The current fashion is for narrower, | | | | other relevant medical conditions which |
| thin-rimmed or rimless glasses. These are | | | | constitute a notifiable disability. |
| ideal for driving as they allow maximum | | | | |
| peripheral vision (They are not so good, | | | | There are two key points to note here. First, |
| however, for cutting out the glare of | | | | if you are involved in an accident and are |
| reflected ultraviolet rays from snow and | | | | subsequently found to have an undeclared |
| sand). | | | | visual impairment, your insurance cover could |
| | | | be at risk. |
| * At a reasonable cost, anti-reflective | | | | |
| coatings can be applied to any lenses helping | | | | Secondly, and more reassuringly, having a |
| to reduce glare and enhance nighttime vision. | | | | notifiable visual impairment does not |
| | | | automatically preclude your being allowed to |
| * Glasses with plastic lenses are safer and | | | | drive. Limited-period licenses, issued to |
| lighter. A plastic bridge helps cushion the | | | | keep a regular check on your condition, and |
| nose if wearing metal frames. | | | | licenses restricting driving to daytime only, |
| | | | should be viewed as the ultimate safeguard of |
| * Keep a lens cloth in your auto along with | | | | both vision care and safe driving. |
| your spare pair of glasses. Glasses and | | | | |