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One of the most dangerous things we may do on a daily basis is drive a car, truck or motorcycle. Clear vision is absolutely a requirement. Forgetting glasses at home and getting out on our roads can be not only dangerous but deadly.Because of the importance of vision in driving, all states require eye tests for drivers to obtain licenses. Should the tests indicate poor vision, then driver licenses will be marked with a glasses/contact lens requirement. Driving requires fast reflexes and reaction times are reduced when vision is poor.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles cites the following six vision conditions that affect the ability to drive:

1. Peripheral Vision: The ability to see out of the corner of your eye. Impaired peripheral vision can result in the driver failing to react to a hazard coming from the driver's far left or far right or failing to heed a stop light suspended over an intersection.

2. Night Vision: Impaired night vision can result in the driver failing to react to hazards, or tailgating.

3. Glare Resistance: The ability to see faced with glare from oncoming headlights, sunlight or other light sources. Impaired glare resistance/glare recovery can result in the driver being blinded and consequently missing curves in the road, striking unobserved pedestrians, and/or striking another vehicle.

4. Depth/Distance Perception: Impaired judgment of distance can result in the driver stopping too short and/or failing to maintain speed and/or following too closely.

5. Eye Movements: Impaired eye movements can result in visual scanning deficiencies.

6. Visual Perception: The ability to correctly perceive what you are seeing; impaired visual perception can result in the inability to distinguish foreground from background, determine the position of objects and/or pedestrians relative to self and to each other.

As one ages, vision changes. Seniors with vision changes often have trouble seeing in low light, at night or when there is a glare. 

As we get older, vision changes, and we can have trouble seeing in low light or at night and dealing with bright glare.  The American Optometric Association says seniors are also prone to the onset of macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts, which can seriously impede driving skills. Therefore, they recommend regular eye exams. 

The law sets the minimum eyesight standards that drivers and motorcyclists must meet. 

In Florida if an applicant wears glasses or contact lenses in order to pass the driver’s vision test, he/she will be required to wear them when driving. A restriction code of “A” will be indicated on the driver’s license. Passing the vision test means the applicant must have 20/40 vision or better in each and both eyes with or without corrective lenses or glasses. 

Driving without the corrective lenses or glasses is a violation of Florida law and will be ticketed as a moving violation and a second degree misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. 

Tips for increasing visibility while driving (Source: American Automobile Association - AAA)

• Adjust your speed to the reach of your headlights.Do not “overdrive” your headlights by driving at a speed that would not allow you to stop for an obstacle at the far reaches of your headlights. Compensate for reduced visibility by decreasing your speed and increasing following distance to four or more seconds behind the car in front of you.
• Keep your eyes moving.Do not focus on the middle of the area illuminated by your headlights. Watch for sudden flashes of light at hilltops, around curves or at intersections, because these may indicate the presence of oncoming vehicles.
• Look at the sides of objects.In dim light during reduced visibility, focus on the edges or outlines of objects. Your eyes can pick up images more sharply this way than by looking directly at the object.
• Protect your eyes from glare.Prolonged exposure to glare from sunlight or headlights can temporarily affect your visibility at night. It can also lead to eyestrain and drowsiness. Wear good sunglasses on bright days and take them off as soon as the sun goes down. After steady daytime driving, rest awhile before you begin driving at night. At night, look to the center of your pathway and use the painted edge lines to guide your vehicle.
• Avoid being blinded by oncoming high beams.If the driver of an oncoming vehicle fails to dim the lights, look down toward the right side of the road to avoid being blinded. You should be able to see the edge of the lane or the painted edge line and stay on course until the vehicle passes.

 Further tips from AAA

• Invest in polarized sunglasses; they can help reduce glare.
• Utilize your sun visor; it can help to block out the sun.
• Leave more following room; when the sun is in your eyes, it can be hard to see what the car ahead is doing. This is one more time when it pays to leave more room between you and the next vehicle.
• Drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility to other drivers.
• Keep your windshield clean inside and out.
• Check your windshield for pitting and cracks.
• Avoid storing papers or other items on the dashboard.
• If having a difficult time seeing the road, use lane markings to help guide you. 

“In short, whenever you are behind the wheel, you need to have optimal vision and reflexes. If you or a loved one has been in accident with a vision impaired driver, contact the experienced lawyers at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. to determine your rights,” said Cape Coral Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey. 

Cape Coral Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.