Low Vision

Vision refers to how the brain receives information from the eyes and then how it interprets that information. Vision involves the ability to see clearly both up close and at a distance(acuity), to see what is in front of you and on the side (visual field), to see an object as different from its background (contrast sensitivity), the ability to coordinate the function of both eyes and the ability to combine the information received by both eyes into one image (binocular vision). Vision changes may interfere with your ability to drive.

How might low vision affect safe driving?

A vision impairment does not necessarily mean that a person must stop driving. All provincial jurisdictions have minimum vision requirements to be eligible for a drivers’ license. For more information please see the CAA website here.

You might have difficulty adjusting to the light conditions in different places, for example it might take time to adjust when moving from outdoors to indoors in a sunny day
You may have difficulty seeing objects up close or at a distance
You may have difficulty seeing objects that are a similar colour to their background, for example reading something that is written in yellow on a white background
You may have difficulty seeing objects that are located to your side
You may have difficulty keeping your eyes focused on objects
You may have double vision
You may have difficulty focusing when you look from an object that is close to you to one that is at a distance
You might feel tired or develop a headache after doing something that requires your visual attention

Warning signs of unsafe driving:

You drive too fast or too slow for the driving conditions
You have difficulty judging how close to follow another car or distance from the car ahead when stopping
You have difficulty staying on your side of the lane or drift across lane markings, into other lanes
You do not notice people or other vehicles on the side
You miss stop signs or traffic lights
You have difficulty reading information on the dashboard, particularly in the day time
You have difficulty reading maps, road signs or street signs
You have difficulty seeing at night
You are sensitive to the glare of headlights of on-coming traffic
You have more difficulty seeing objects when the day is cloudy or at dusk
You have difficulty seeing objects that are in your blind spot
You have difficulty making a left hand turn or merging into traffic