Session 28 – Be in Shape to Drive

Driving safely is not always easy. It is, in fact, one of the most complex things that people do. It is also one of the few things we do regularly that can injure or kill us. It is worth the effort to be a careful driver.

Being a safe driver takes a lot of skill and judgment. This task is even more difficult when you are just learning to drive. Driving can easily take every ability you have. If anything happens
so you are not up to your ability, you may not be a safe driver. Your ability to be a safe driver depends on being able to see clearly, not being overly tired, not driving while using drugs, being generally healthy and emotionally fit to drive. In other words, being in “shape” to drive safely.

Vision And Hearing

Vision

Good vision is a must for safe driving. You drive based on what you see. If you cannot see clearly, you will have trouble identifying traffic and road conditions, spotting potential trouble or reacting in a timely manner.

Vision is so important that Wisconsin law requires you to have at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses. You will be required to pass a vision screening before you get a driver license and at each renewal.

Other important aspects of vision are:

Side vision: You need to see “out the corner of your eye.” This lets you spot vehicles and other potential trouble on either side of you while you look ahead. Because you cannot focus on things to the side, you must also use your side mirrors and glance to the side if necessary.

Judging distances and speeds: Even if you can see clearly, you still may not be able to judge distances or speeds very well. Many people have problems judging distances and speeds. It takes a lot of practice to be able to judge both. It is especially important in knowing how far you are from other vehicles and judging safe gaps when merging and when passing on two lane roads.

Night vision: Many people who can see clearly in the daytime have trouble seeing at night. It is more difficult for everyone to see at night than in the daytime. Some drivers have problems with glare while driving at night, especially the glare of oncoming headlights. If you have problems seeing at night, don’t drive more than is necessary and be very careful when you do.

Because seeing well is so important to safe driving, you should have your eyes checked every year or two by an eye specialist. You may never know you have poor vision unless your eyes are tested.

If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses for driving, remember to:

• always wear them when you drive, even if it is only for short trips. If your driver license says you must wear corrective lenses, you could get a ticket if you are stopped and you are not wearing them.
• try to keep an extra pair of glasses in your vehicle. If your regular glasses are broken or lost, you can use the spare pair to drive safely. This can also be helpful if you do not wear glasses all the time and misplace them.
• avoid using dark glasses or tinted contact lenses at night, even if you think they help with glare. The problem is they reduce the light that you need to see clearly.

Hearing

Hearing can be helpful to safe driving. The sound of horns, a siren or screeching tires can warn you of danger. A hearing problem, like bad eyesight, can come on so slowly that you may not notice it. Drivers who know they are hearing impaired can adjust and be safe drivers. These drivers learn to rely more on their vision and tend to stay more alert. Studies have shown the driving records of hearing impaired drivers are just as good as those of drivers with good hearing.

Fatigue

You cannot drive as safely when you are tired as when you are rested. You do not see as well, nor are you as alert. It takes you more time to make decisions and you may not always make good decisions. You can be more irritable and can be more easily upset. When you are tired, you could fall asleep behind the wheel and crash, injuring or killing yourself or others.

There are things you can do to help keep you from getting tired on a long trip:

• Try to get a good night’s sleep before you leave.
• Do not leave on a trip if you are already tired. Plan your
  trip so you can leave when you are rested.
• Do not take any medicine that can make you drowsy.
• Eat lightly. Do not eat a large meal before you leave. You can get sleepy after eating a big meal.
• Take breaks. Stop every hour or so or when you need to. Walk around, get some fresh air and have some coffee, soda or juice. The few minutes spent on a rest break can save your life. Allow for plenty of time to safely complete your trip.
• Try not to drive late at night when you would normally be asleep. Because your “inner body clock” will be telling your body it is time to be sleeping, you may have trouble staying awake and alert.
• Never drive if you are sleepy. It is better to stop and sleep for a few hours than to take the chance that you can stay awake. If possible, switch driving with someone so you can sleep while they drive.

Studies show that a person who has been awake for 18 hours is as impaired for driving as a person with an alcohol content (AC) of .05. A full 24 hours of being awake causes impairment nearly equal to that of an AC of .10: above the legal limit.