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When drivers get behind the wheel, they are not only driving to protect themselves, but also to protect those driving and walking around them. Anyone getting into a vehicle and turning on the ignition has a tremendous responsibility.  The lives of the driver, passengers, pedestrians and other motorists are in a heighten state of vulnerability. Careful driving requires engagement of visual and auditory senses to make informed, often very quick decisions to navigate safely.  

Most of the information drivers need is visual; therefore, good eyesight is critical to safe driving. If drivers cannot see clearly, they cannot judge distances or spot trouble. They also will not be able to make the best judgments. Peripheral or “out of the corner of the eye” vision is very important in spotting vehicles coming up along the side while the driver's eyes are on the road ahead.

Even if a driver may see clearly, he/she may still not be able to judge distances. Good distance judgment is needed to see how far the driver's vehicle is from other vehicles. Many drivers who may see clearly in the daytime have trouble seeing clearly at night. Some see poorly in dim light. Others may have trouble with the glare of headlights. Eyes need to be checked every year or two. Only a health care professional can really check peripheral vision or distance judgment.

Vision:  Below are some tips from Defensive Driving/Modernsurvivalist.com:

Focus Vision: Scan the entire road environment and anticipate potential risks. Start by:

• Always looking as far ahead as possible – actively scan everything within view to prepare for any upcoming or changed road conditions.
• Always positioning and using the mirrors correctly – they increase the scope of vision and add to the driver's driving information. Keep the head and body square. Tilting the head alters the view and perception of the conditions ahead.
• Making sure the vehicle's headlights are on to make the vehicle visible to other vehicles.

The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles sets the following vision standards for having a driver's license: 

Applicants or licensed drivers who have 20/50 vision or worse in either eye, with or without corrective lenses, are referred to an eye specialist for possible improvement. 20/70 vision or better in either eye or with both eyes may pass with or without corrective lenses, if vision cannot be improved. However, if one eye is blind or 20/200 or worse, the other eye must be 20/40 or better. The minimum acceptable field of vision is 130 degrees.

Sunglasses with polarized lenses and UV (ultraviolet) light absorption should be used when driving. The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says that polarized lenses can cut the reflective glare that occurs when sunlight bounces off smooth surfaces. The AAO says that half of adults do not check UV-protection ratings before buying a new pair of sunglasses.  Sunglasses need to block both UVA and UVB rays and be labeled "UV400" or 100% UV protection. A Harris poll showed that only 17 percent of Americans heed the advice of wearing sunglasses. 

Hearing: There are times when driving that hearing is the first alert to danger because of blind spots or not being able to see because the driver is looking in one direction, not the other.  For example, a driver may hear a vehicle coming before seeing it because of a bend in the road.  Also, emergency vehicles such as fire engines and ambulances are often heard before seen. HealthyHearing.com says that hearing loss affects 33 percent of drivers over 65 years of age.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) says it is not uncommon for some of the skills necessary for safe driving - vision, reflexes, flexibility, and hearing - to begin to deteriorate as one ages. AAA recommends several things senior drivers can do to improve comfort and safety behind the wheel.

• Set up periodic examinations with the eye doctor.
• Get a hearing test annually.
• Enroll in an older driver training course to learn specific techniques with the limits imposed by aging. (AAA and car-fit .org offer such course.)
• Reduce the amount of driving after dark and at twilight.
• Avoid highway driving when possible.

The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles has the following rules when applicants are hearing impaired:

 Drivers applying for a license who are deaf, or cannot hear conversation spoken in a normal tone of voice, are restricted to driving with an outside rearview mirror which should be mounted on the left side of the vehicle, or wearing of a hearing aid.

"Good eyesight and good hearing are important factors in preventing vehicle accidents.  It is necessary for driver's to have periodic vision and hearing tests. These tests may help identify problems, which can be rectified through medical treatments and/or assisted devices," says Cape Coral Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Cape Coral 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.