The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), which warns about the dangers of ‘road hypnosis’, has issued a warning for all those drivers who use glasses or contact lenses while driving.
According to Elena Valdés, medical advisor to the DGT, there are a number of tips to apply while driving if you have visual defects.
If you use glasses or contact lenses, the DGT, which clarifies the cases of illnesses in which you can have your licence withdrawn, recommends that they be used throughout the journey to guarantee the best possible vision at the wheel. For those drivers who need glasses ‘up close’, it is recommended to use progressive lenses to be able to correctly observe the information on the vehicle’s dashboard.
In addition, when the sun dazzles the road, sunglasses will mitigate the sensation of glare, so it is advisable to carry them in the vehicle whenever you are driving during the day. On the other hand, if the driver has problems at night to observe the road optimally, the DGT recommends trying to avoid driving as much as possible during these hours or in bad weather.
As speed increases, the field of view naturally narrows. Given this and if you have visual problems, it is advisable to reduce it to avoid the so-called ‘tunnel effect’, that is, the narrowing of vision towards the central part of the road.
The DGT also poses a series of limitations when the driver has to attend the ophthalmologist’s review. In the event that the doctor has to dilate the pupils during the consultation, driving is not recommended until the symptoms disappear.
Of course, if the driver takes any drug or substance that alters vision, driving should be avoided, and the doctor’s instructions should be followed at all times.
It is no longer mandatory to carry a spare set of spectacles with you in the car, but this is advisable in case anything happens to your original pair.
