Vision Over 40: How to Improve Your Night Driving
Friday, July 15th, 2016, 4:14 am
As we age, our vision inevitably changes. And for many, that means increased difficulty perceiving and reacting to unexpected events when driving, especially at night. To make sure you’re staying safe on the nighttime roads, here are some simple precautions to take.
- Drive on streets you know. Driving at night can be risky when you’re not familiar with the route. Stick to areas you’re familiar with, and try to avoid dark, poorly lit roads.
- Allow plenty of time. If the roads are bad due to weather conditions or construction, be sure to give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
- Keep up on car maintenance. Regularly have your power steering fluid, brake fluid and transmission fluid checked. And make sure your windshield wipers and headlights are in good working order. It’s also a good idea to clean not only the outside of your windows but the inside, as well.
- Leave at least two car lengths. Put plenty of space between you and the driver in front of you, just in case you need to stop quickly, especially in bad weather. And be cautious before going through intersections, taking special care to yield when making a left turn.
- Minimize the lights in your dash panel. Most newer cars come with the ability to dim your dashboard lights, which can significantly help with your field of vision when driving in the dark. And if you have GPS, consider turning it off or dimming it when possible during night driving.
- See your eye care professional regularly. It’s recommended that to visit your eye doctor once every two years, and more often if you have a medical condition. If you’re experiencing trouble driving at night, your doctor may recommend special eyeglasses with anti-glare lenses or contacts that are specific to night driving.
To learn more about safety tips for night driving, or to schedule an appointment, please complete our convenient online contact form. For locations, click here to find a center near you.
Category: Eye Care
