Boost road safety: Tips to improve your vision for safer driving
Good driving vision is one of your greatest assets for staying safe on the road. Making sure you have clear visibility while driving is just one of many safe driving practices. It's also important to recognize that vision can change and that not all eyes are created equal, as eye health can vary among drivers.
If you struggle with your vision or are concerned that your vision may have deteriorated and is hindering your ability to drive and do other tasks, there are ways you can preserve and improve your natural eyesight.
We share some tips to sharpen your driving vision so you can navigate every journey with confidence and clarity.
Understanding 6 key elements of vision for drivers
Your eyes are unique, and so is your vision health. If you find it harder to see clearly while driving or suspect that your eyesight isn't as sharp as it used to be, there are steps you can take.
To properly care for your vision, it’s important to understand the different aspects of vision to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your eyesight. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has compiled a list of characteristics that comprise vision.
Key elements of vision:
- Visual acuity: This is how clearly you see. Weak visual acuity can make objects appear blurry, which increases your risk of an accident, especially during low-light conditions like dawn or dusk.
- Color blindness: If you can’t tell the difference between colors, this can make it challenging to see if a traffic light is red or green or distinguish brake lights, which are crucial for safe driving.
- Contrast sensitivity: Difficulties here might mean trouble seeing objects against their background, such as pedestrians in foggy or dark conditions.
- Useful field of view: This is about processing a lot of information quickly - vital when you're moving at high speeds and need to process many sources of information at once.
- Depth perception: It helps you gauge how far away other vehicles or objects are, essential for judging speed and distance.
- Peripheral vision: This measures how well you see out of the corners of your eyes without moving your head. It helps you remain aware of your surroundings, especially when changing lanes.
Top tips for maintaining your eyesight for driving
While aging and certain health conditions can affect vision, there are proactive steps you can take to keep your eyesight sharp for driving:
- Schedule an annual eye exam: Regular check-ups can catch early signs of issues like glaucoma or cataracts. An optometrist can spot problems that might affect your driving vision.
- Keep your prescription updated: Outdated glasses or contacts can strain your eyes. Make sure your prescription is current, so you see as clearly as possible.
- Choose the right glasses for driving: If you wear glasses, opt for ones with thin frames and high-mounted side pieces to maximize your peripheral vision.
- Maintain your glasses and contact lenses: Clean them regularly to prevent visual obstructions and ensure they're in good condition.
- Invest in polarized or prescription sunglasses for drivers: Glare can be a real issue. Polarized sunglasses reduce glare, and prescription versions ensure you don't compromise on clarity.
Boost your visibility for fleet safety
Vision is not purely tied to how well your eyes allow you to see other vehicles and the environment. Beyond just your eyesight, there are practical steps you can take to enhance visibility while driving.
- Clean your windshield and windows inside and out
- Keep your lights bright and clear
- Adjust your mirrors properly
- Make sure your headlights are aimed correctly
By taking care of your vision and improving your vehicle to ensure better visibility, you're not only protecting yourself, but also keeping the roads safer for everyone around you. Remember, great driving vision is your path to safe travels.
To help keep fleet drivers safe on the road, learn more about Element’s fleet safety program.
Never miss an update
Subscribe for more news and thought leadership from Element.