|
|
LOW RISK DRIVING |
Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6 |
| 1. The Basics |
|
|
LOW RISK DRIVING |
Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6 |
| 1. The Basics |
1.12 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.
Eyesight test! Here is a simple eyesight test you can do with a teenager, grandpa or anyone: Stop at the kerb at a distance away from a parked car so you can just read it's numberplate. If you have normal vision and can read the letters and figures, the other person should have no trouble reading them to you.
The Big Picture
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?
My guess is, 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 …..".
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'. He or she then uses focal vision far too long. The usual dangerous result is, not enough safety margin.
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.
Observation - The eyes must have it!
Disclaimer: Above information is for Australian learner drivers. Regulations could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents, failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend to use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor.
