Vision & Driving

1. Vision & Driving • 90% of your decisions are based on information you gather with your eyes • Peripheral Vision=To the sides • Central Vision=In the front • Vertical Vision= Up & Down • Focus Vision=Targeting

2. Visual Fields in Operation Vision Characteristics Focus Vision Focus Vision (Focal/Foveal) • Visual Lead, Targeting, Signs, Signals Central Vision Central Vision (Limited Fringe Area) Referencing, Path of Travel, Sightlines Peripheral Vision Peripheral Vision Motion and Color Changes

3. Driver’s Useful Vision Areas Gathering Useful Visual Information Focus Vision Area (Focal) 3 to 5 degrees of useful information • Targeting Skills • Establishing Visual Lead • Reading Signs and Interpreting Signals

4. Driver’s Useful Vision Areas Gathering Useful Visual Information Central Vision Area (Inner Fringe) 30 to 36 degrees of useful information • Vehicle to Roadway Reference • Viewing Path of Travel • Viewing Line of Sight to Target Area

5. Driver’s Useful Vision Areas Gathering Useful Visual Information Peripheral Vision (Outer Fringe) 175 to 185 degrees of useful information • Motion Changes • Color Changes

6. Visual Fields in Operation Standard Visual Reference for Lane Position 1 Path of Travel Target When focus vision is on the target at the end of the path of travel, the central or inner fringe vision will allow the driver to see the placement of vehicle in the roadway...

7. Speed Effect on Vision • As you go faster: • central vision decreases and blurs • peripheral vision decreases • sudden changes in steering may cause exaggerated vehicle movements Narrows Narrows VISION FIELDS NARROW

8. Vision Sightlines/Travel Paths Line of Sight Limitations or Restrictions When line of sight is restricted or blocked, a speed adjustment is needed until visual lead, target area, and the line of sight are restored...

9. Speed and Effect on Vision Looking farther away from your vehicle lengthens or increases line of sight (LOS) and path of travel (POT) areas which: • allows more time to get information; • increases peripheral vision field, giving time for adequate response; and • places more space between other users and your vehicle, so sudden steering changes are held to a minimum.

10. Determining Following Intervals Fixed Object or Shadow One Thousand One One Thousand Two One Thousand Three One Thousand Four

11. Time, Speed, and DistanceRelationships on Dry, Clean Surfaces 1/2 sec 3/4 sec Total Vehicle Ft./Sec. Following Interval Steer Brake Brake Speed Travel 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. Dist. Dist. Dist. 30 mph 44 f/s 88 ft. 132 ft. 176 ft. 22 ft. 33 ft. 80 ft. 40 mph 58 f/s 116 ft. 174 ft. 232 ft. 29 ft. 44 ft. 125 ft. 50 mph 74 f/s 148 ft. 222 ft. 296 ft. 37 ft. 56 ft. 190 ft. 60 mph 88 f/s 176 ft. 264 ft. 352 ft. 44 ft. 66 ft. 275 ft. 70 mph 104 f/s 208 ft. 312 ft. 416 ft. 52 ft. 78 ft. 385 ft.

12. Following Intervals • 2 Seconds… Permits driver time to steer out of problem areas at all listed speeds on a dry surface and braking out of problems at speeds under 35 mph. • 3 Seconds… Permits driver time to steer out of problem areas at all listed speeds on dry surface and braking out of problems at speeds to 45 mph. • 4 Seconds… Permits driver to steer out of problems at all listed speeds on dry surface and braking out of problems at speeds to legal limit of 65 mph. • * Factory equipped passenger car tires may not be designed to steer out of problem areas at speeds beyond 75 mph. Speed rated tires are required due to sidewall flexion problems at higher speeds and turning movements.

13. Importance of Good Vision • Distance Vision-Ability to see far down the road 20-30 seconds • Depth Perception • Helps you control your following distance and lets you adjust your position in traffic, change lanes, pass, pull into traffic • To compensate for poor depth perception-Increase following distance • Color Vision • Drivers must recognize colors in objects (signs, signals, etc.) • Can color Bind people drive ? (Shape, Shade, or position)

14. Vision Problems • Contrast Sensitivity- Helps you see details in the driving environment • Night Vision • Good night vision requires an ability to see in low and variable light conditions • Reduced visibility at night due to dirty windshield, headlights, rain, etc. • Glare Vision- Ability to see when there is rapid increase in light • Headlights • Sun • Snow • Rain • Glare Recovery- Caused by the sudden brightness of oncoming headlights • 1.Do not look directly into headlights • Reduce speed • Be aware on hills and curves

15. Assessment • 1. What are the 4 types of Vision? List and Explain. • 2. If your focus vision is on the target at the end of the path of travel, which vision will allow the driver to see the placement of vehicle in the roadway. • 3. What three things will occur when you increase your speed? • 4. Increased line of sight and path of travel will lead to what three things to occur? • 5.Explain following distance. • 6.What is considered a safe following distance? • 7. At what speed (s) do you still have time to steer out of problems if you are following at 2 seconds? • 8. What is the three factors for having good vision? • 9. How do color blind drivers determine the color of traffic lights? • 10. What is Glare Recovery, and how can a driver compensate for this problem? • 11. What are the ways items we can identify to help us determine that we have control of our risk? • 12. What are the three zones that involve time and space, and are important to our path of travel?