Advice for Senior Drivers

NIHSeniorHealth, an online newsletter from the National Institutes of Health gives the following advice for drivers.

Make Sure You See Well Enough

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There are several steps to take to make sure you see well enough to drive safely.

• Have your vision checked every 1 to 2 years. An eye doctor can treat many vision problems. For example, surgery can remove cataracts.
• If you wear glasses or contact lenses, ask your eye doctor or optometrist if you need a new prescription. Antireflective lenses and polarized sunglasses can help reduce glare. Always wear corrective lenses while driving.
• Limit driving to daytime hours if you have trouble seeing in the dark.
• Keep your windshield, mirrors, and headlights clean. Turn the brightness up on the instrument panel.
• Adjust your seat height so you can see the road for at least 10 feet ahead of your car.

Many states require people who renew their driver’s licenses to have their vision tested. Such requirements have been shown to reduce deaths among older drivers. People who do not pass the test are told to get an eye exam.