Driving Lessons Gloucester- Drivers Eyesight.

Eyesight. "Look at that driver! He must be blind!".......................How often have you heard that, or even thought it yourself? Let's look at the eyesight requirements for a car driver.

The law states that all drivers of motor cars must be able to read a standard number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of twenty metres – with spectacles or corrective lenses if required. The first of the checks (below) will ensure that you meet the legal minimum requirement for drivers. The second check is simply to find out (for your own interest) how 'good' your distant vision is.   Eyesight check No 1. Pace out the correct distance from a (standard) car number plate, to meet the legal minimum eyesight requirement (20 metres) and make sure that you can read the number easily without squinting or screwing up your eyes (a good stride is approximately 1 metre). Eyesight check No 2. Find a number plate that is so far away that you cannot read it. Walk towards it until you can just read it. Pace out the distance from the point at which you can just read it to the vehicle - is this well over 20 metres? If not, it's worth getting an eye check, especially if you have always had good vision or have not had an eye-check for a long time. Eyesight problems. When checking your own eyesight or that of others it is useful to be aware of potential problems. Lifting or dropping the head, turning to one side or tilting the head could indicate double-vision, a reduced field of vision, 'nystagmus' (a 'wobble' in the eye), or, in the case of those wearing spectacles it could indicate that a new prescription is required. The tendency to close one eye can also suggest double vision. If this is severe and un-treatable, the driver can drive with one eye covered (providing that the eye being used has the appropriate field of vision). Drivers with one eye can legally drive on a non-commercial licence (subject to passing the eye-sight test). Monocular vision (one eye at a time) reduces depth of field, special care should be taken with night driving and when overtaking (potential judgment problems). Defective colour vision: This is does not prevent a person from driving. However, you need to be aware of any potential problems associated with road signs, traffic lights, etc. Tunnel vision: Drivers must have a minimum of 120 degrees vision spanning the central field of view.http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org