Physical Conditions That Affect Driving Ability
Age.
We can't change our age, but we can compensate for it. The
younger we are, probably the most physical skills and less
patience we have. The older we are, probably the fewer physical
skills and more patience we have. Each age group should
understand these facts and drive accordingly.
Mobility.
If our bodies are experiencing some limits to their mobility
it's time for us to use our minds to make the necessary
adjustments.
Hearing. Most drivers assume that
their eyesight is their most important sense behind the wheel.
After all, our state requires periodic vision tests. But the
facts show that hearing is also critically important because it
alerts us to what our eyes have not yet seen. That is why smart
drivers see to it that they are not operating inside a sonic
barrier while out on the road.
Vision.
This sense, of course, is the primary one at work when we are
driving, so we need to give our eyes every advantage. If there
are vision impairments, we should try to compensate for them
(using headlights, mirrors, glasses, and sun visors, for
example) before we turn on the ignition.
Illness or Use of Medication.
We can't control when we get ill or must be under medication,
but we can control how we handle illness behind the wheel. In
some cases, that may mean not getting behind the wheel at all.
Fatigue.
Fatigue or drowsiness is the silent killer on the highways. We
have all experienced it and we all know what to do about it. The
trick is not to underestimate its seriousness. Here are some
typical ways to tell if we are too tired to drive:
- Our thoughts wander.
- We are easily distracted.
- We can't stop yawning.
- Our eyes close or go out of
focus.
- We cannot remember driving
the last few miles.
- We drift between lanes,
tailgate or miss traffic signs.
A fatigued driver is just as
dangerous as an impaired driver. If we find ourselves getting
sleepy, we need to get off the road as soon as possible and get
some rest.
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Safety
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