When driving it is important to have clear comfortable vision. You need to be able to judge distances, read road signs and traffic lights and respond to changes in your environment quickly and efficiently. If you are not able to see well you will not be able to respond quickly when needed. This can be dangerous to both you and other road users.
Many motor vehicle accidents are caused by drivers’ poor vision.
According to most parties involved in an accident, the other driver “must have been blind”.
Let’s look at some of the possible causes of these accidents:
* The driver’s vision is below the recommended standard. He could have a visual deficiency such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Cataracts could also affect the driver’s vision.
* Failure to wear spectacles or contact lenses where they have been prescribed for distance use.
* Low visibility due to darkness or adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat.
* Driving too fast. The normal field of vision is 180°. At 95 km/h the field of vision is only a quarter of its normal size. This means that the faster you drive, the less you see to the side.
* Glare in the driver’s eyes.
* A dirty windscreen.
* Distraction of driver from either inside or outside the vehicle.
* Reduced mental alertness because of fatigue, alcohol, drugs, boredom or general physical condition.
We would like to urge vehicle owners to attend regularly not only to the maintenance of their own vehicles – but also to the fitness of drivers!!
Have your eyes examined by an optometrist once a year!
Also view: