One of the greatest necessities for safe driving is, undeniably, good vision. Actually, driving safely depends on several different visual abilities - for example, distance and near vision, side or peripheral vision, night vision and color vision, plus many others.
Being able to see well into the distance is highly necessary because it allows you to observe the road ahead of you and see any risks that might appear. This gives you a chance to act fast and avoid any accidents that might have otherwise taken place. On the other hand, if you struggle with distance vision you may not see dangers in time to stop an accident.
Distance vision is also directly related to the condition of your glasses and windshield, so ensure both are kept consistently clean and scratch-free which can inhibit your vision, especially at night and on bright days.
Just as important is peripheral vision, which enables you see both sides of your car, which is necessary to be aware of pedestrians, animals and cross traffic without needing to look away from the road lying ahead. Being able to see peripherally is also crucial when switching lanes and making turns. Make sure you know how to use your rearview and side mirrors. Make sure they're angled properly, to assist your view of the road to your sides and back.
Road safety is also highly dependent on good depth perception. This lets you measure distances properly in dense traffic, switch lanes and overtake other cars on the road. Accurate depth perception needs proper functioning in both of your eyes. In cases of people that have lost vision in one eye, it's important to consult with an eye doctor to determine if it is safe for you to get behind the wheel. You may have to refrain from driving until a solution is found to correct your vision.
Near vision focusing or the ability to accommodate properly also comes into use while on the road. This is the capability to move your focus from a view in the distance to something in front of you, like from the road to the dashboard. If you're over the age of 45 it's common for you to have a slight challenge with near vision, and it might be helpful for you to get glasses or another vision correction solution to make it easier to see objects up close. Call your optometrist to talk about the options.
At the first sign of a vision problem, think about how it affects your ability to drive. You never want to endanger your life or those of the others on the road! If you feel your eyesight isn't perfect, see your optometrist, and have a thorough eye exam as soon as you can.
