Good eyesight is the basic requirement for safe driving. What you should pay attention to see yourself well and also to be more visible to others.
For many drivers, the subject of eye control is done once and for all with a passed eye test before getting a driver’s license. Drivers under the age of 40 often only have reduced visual acuity. These can be easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. But eyesight naturally decreases with age. It is therefore advisable to have your eyesight checked regularly by an ophthalmologist. This recommendation applies to all road users.
Recognize eye diseases
From around the age of 40, more serious eye diseases can occur that endanger safe driving.
The tricky thing about many eye diseases is that they do not occur suddenly. In many cases, they develop insidiously and are not immediately noticed by those affected, such as cataracts ( cataracts ), glaucoma ( green star ), and age-related macular degeneration. It is therefore advisable to have regular ophthalmological checks.
“Anyone who finds that their eyesight is noticeably deteriorating between these check-ups should consult an ophthalmologist quickly.”
Professor Bernhard Lachenmayr, a specialist in ophthalmology and member of the ADAC medical college
Twilight vision and sensitivity to glare
Especially with older road users, twilight vision can deteriorate drastically due to clouding of the vitreous humor, lens, or cornea. Also, these opacities lead to an increased sensitivity to glare. Anyone who notices these impairments should see an ophthalmologist.
Important: clean the lens and glasses
Drivers should ensure that the windshield is cleaned both inside and out because streaks or soiling cause increased and irritating light scattering. People who wear glasses should wear glasses that have reduced reflections as much as possible at night and always clean them before driving at dusk or in the dark, says Professor Lachenmayr. He strongly advises against glasses with yellow filters or even light protection glasses or sunglasses.
Risks for participation in road traffic
Reduced eyesight increases the risk of accidents – regardless of whether distances and speeds are incorrectly estimated due to reduced visual acuity or whether the more sensitive eyes are quickly overstrained when driving at dusk or in the dark. When driving in tunnels: take off your sunglasses or push them on your forehead.
This is important for drivers
The most important thing for all drivers is functioning and correctly adjusted lighting system. But not only defective bulbs and lamps are problematic, lights, headlights, and windows that are dirty or iced up in winter also impair the visibility of your vehicle and your view of the traffic.
Cyclists should pay attention to this
The following applies to cyclists: perfectly working lighting and the prescribed reflectors can save lives. Wearing safety vests and light-colored clothing with reflectors is not only recommended in the dark and in bad weather.
Pedestrians are safe on the move
Anyone who walks in traffic wearing light-colored or noticeable clothing is perceived much better by other road users. Joggers should use head or belt lamps in addition to reflective safety vests at dusk and the dark. Reflective tags on jackets or bags also increase security.