LOW RISK DRIVING

A.12 OBSERVATION

Observation, or the lack thereof, is emerging again and again as a primary cause of crashes. There are various reasons why people do not see the danger, which moments later causes heartache, injury or death.

A young lady, a newly licensed driver, felt embarrassed about wearing glasses, even whilst driving. She did not realize, that wearing spectacles or contact lenses whilst driving is law, if your licence stipulates it. Not long after gaining her driver's licence she crashed in the back of a turning vehicle. No doubt, her vanity contributed to the mishap.

Choose glasses or sunglasses with thin frames, thick ones cause vision to be restricted. Beware of dirty or fogged up lenses. Any reduction in visibility increases the risk of crashing, especially at night. A common cause of vision-related crashes is deteriorating eyesight.

There is a simple eyesight test anyone can do with a new driver, or an elderly one, whose eyesight may be in doubt:

Stop at the kerb at a distance away from a parked car so you can just read it's registration plate. If you have normal vision and can read the letters and figures, the other person should have no trouble reading them to you.

At a party you get introduced to someone. You are told the person's name followed by a brief exchange of trivia. A minute into the conversation you have already forgotten their name. What caused you to get into this embarrassing predicament?

At the moment of introduction you heard the name, but thinking about something else at that moment, you did not register the name properly (unless he/she is very handsome or pretty).

For similar reasons drivers cruising ...

... along a busy suburb may pass dozens of road signs. But how many are really focused on and acted upon accordingly? No wonder, after an accident the excuse is often: 'I did not see ….."

The Big Picture

Crashes caused by distractions are explained in another article. Here we are dealing with the driver suffering from a type of "tunnel vision." This driver, often a beginner, focuses the eyes on a fixed point just above the steering wheel. He or she is driving as if searching for a lost wallet on the roadway, a very dangerous practice.

There is only one cure: These drivers must realize their lack of observation and make a real effort to move their eyes every second or so. With practice and experience seeing the "big picture" comes natural.

Focal vision versus peripheral vision

Your eyesight consists of two spheres, focal and peripheral vision. To best explain the difference, let's imagine you are overtaking a parked car. In the overall picture the eye's peripheral vision, also called fringe vision, picks up the obstacle from a fair distance away.

As you get closer, you specifically move your eyes to focus on problems. Focal vision searches for clues, like a person about to open the door or a person stepping from behind etc. but do not keep watching the car as you overtake it. Use peripheral vision again, to better judge a safe distance to keep from the vehicle.

Often there is a misunderstanding between parent and new driver. A parent is telling a new driver: "Watch the parked car!". The novice driver then focuses on the parked vehicle too long, overtaking it with barely any space between.

A better way of instruction is: "Take note of the parked vehicle. Check for dangers, if anyone is about to open the door or step from behind. Look beyond the vehicle and overtake safely." (Photo: halfords.com)

Thanks to DMV California

Our eyeballs have a natural blindspot. A certain field of the total picture is invisible. Therefore: Don't keep staring at any hazard, sign or obstacle! Keep your eyes on the move.

SEEING IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE !

Disclaimer: Above information could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents or failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend you use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor. Site copyright ©driving-school.com.au 2001 / Redesign April 2010

Here is a little test to remember what you have learned. Firstly, answer the True / False question. Secondly, using the letter beside the correct answer, form a word. All answers are on this page!

T> D

Eyesight does not deteriorate with age.

F> S

T> E

To read and take in road signs I have to keep my eyes moving.

F> A

T> A

To judge the distance from parked vehicles I use peripheral vision.

F> N

T> D

Tunnel vision is very useful when driving at night.

F> T