Drive safe

Drive safe

To loose someone in road accident is nightmare.  Approximately 2 lakh people die every year in road accidents in our country. When finding out the reason of accident we mainly focus on driver’s mistake or poor road condition or any other such cause. Studies shows that lack of road safety awareness is the most commonly cited reason for such high percentage of casualties on India’ roads. But an additional factor that remains unaddressed about road accidents in India is how the lack of a comprehensive vision test for drivers makes India’s roads more unsafe.

Statics are growing every day. A survey was conducted at Bengaluru to check how accurate vision do drivers have. Results were shocking. 52 per cent failed in at least one vision parameter and 81 per cent of them admitted to being involved in an accident. Later the same survey was conducted on 500 drivers from the states of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. 67 per cent of the drivers had some visual disability and 86 per cent of them were involved in minor/major accidents.

By having a regular eye examination we can avoid becoming part of these causalities. An eye examination will not just test your vision but it can also find health related problems such as cataracts, age related macular degeneration and even risks of cancer.

Apart from vision disability glare is equally responsible for vision distraction. Glare is the sensation caused when bright light is flashed in front of the eyes and vision is obstructed for a couple of seconds. Glare increases reaction time in drivers which leads in compromising safety. Analyzing how a driver's vision impacts road safety, the study found that the chances of crashing were 81% higher in drivers with visual disability.

Strict visual screening before issuing a driving license and ensuring that they wear correct glasses can help create safe drivers and crash-free roads.

So keep calm, wear good glasses and drive safe because someone is waiting for you at home.