Eye conditions: Visual Driving Tips


  1. Don't ignore changes in vision. Have your eyes checked regularly by an optician to be certain that you have the visual skills necessary to be a safe driver.
  2. If you have prescription glasses or contact lenses for driving, make sure you always wear them and that the corrective lenses are current.
  3. Don't forget to clean your glasses regularly.
  4. Ensure your windscreen is clean and change wipers regularly.
  5. Avoid tinted windscreens as they can reduce the light entering the eyes significantly.
  6. Make sure your headlight glass is clean; that the bulbs are in good working order and the headlights are in the ideal position for your body size and seat height. 
  7. Try to avoid driving at dusk or at night.
  8. Avoid driving in bad weather.
  9. Ensure your cars instrument panel is set to full luminance.
  10. Do not stare at oncoming headlights - as you get older it takes longer to recover from the glare. Looking slightly to the left of the oncoming vehicle will help but don't take your eyes off the road.
  11. Wear professionally prescribed sun or tinted glasses to protect your eyes from sun glare, but do not wear them at night.
  12. Before driving off, adjust your seat for comfort and best viewing and check your rear and side mirrors are in the ideal position.
  13. Looking (or scanning) means paying attention to everything around you, including what other drivers are doing.
  14. You should always be aware of what is happening in front, behind and to both sides of your car.
  15. Remember to keep your eyes focused on the road some distance ahead. As we age, we tend to focus on the road just in front of us. The sooner we see or hear a problem, the more time we have to react.

Eye Conditions: Visual Driving Tips- Safety Advice for Older Drivers.

Tips and Advice - Article No.16 RoadDriver 2010

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