If things are blurry out on the road, you may want to visit an eye doctor. Like intoxicated individuals, people with poor eyesight are more prone to swerve and cause collisions on the street. Each state has their own driving and vision requirements, and almost every state requires that you take an eye test when you try for you driver's license. In most locations, drivers must have 20/40 vision or above to drive without prescriptive eyewear. If you fail to meet this requirement, the DMV will issue you a report of vision examination, which you will need to take to your local optometrist or ophthalmologist. Once you past that test, your eyesight may deteriorate unchecked.

A local Ohio newspaper states that 25 percent of Americans who are over 65 years of age do not have frequent eye exams. In some states, the DMV requires that motorists take another vision test upon license renewal, but this is not the case everywhere. In New York, the government only requires motorists to "self-certify" the quality of their eyesight. Though this saves money when it comes to government issued eyesight exams, it gives many men and women with less-than-acceptable eyesight an opportunity to lie so that they can stay independent on the road.

According to The Vision Council, approximately 11 million Americans have vision problems that have not been corrected. In many cases, a driver with eyesight challenges is mistaken as intoxicated. Not only is bad eyesight a danger to your personal safety, but it also makes you a hazard to others. Poor vision can sometimes be corrected by a different eyeglass prescription. Because eyes change over time, people often need to re-evaluate their vision aids and see whether a stronger or weaker model would work better.

Many people who have acceptable vision in the day time struggle with poor vision at night. When the sun is out, the iris of the eye constricts and filters limited amounts of sunlight, which allows for effortless imaging. The pupil of the eye widens at night, but people with poor eyesight begin to lose depth perception and glare vision at this time. Because of this, anyone with poor vision should not rely on the brightness of their headlights to guide them home. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that three times more automobile accident-related deaths occur at night than in the daytime.

While driving while drinking or on drugs is considered "driving while impaired," the fact is that drivers with poor eyesight can be just as dangerous. Elderly men and women must be especially conscious of their eyesight quality. At a certain age, some states require that men and women retake their eyesight test to confirm that their vision is still up to par. This test consists of an "eyesight" exam using a chart and a test where you will need to look into a machine and point out certain items. Seniors should take these tests frequently.

Persons suffering from migraines may experience a loss of vision. Men and women with cerebral palsy, brain tumors, head trauma, sarcoma, multiple sclerosis, or a recent stroke often struggle with deteriorating eyesight, as well. In the end, if you are concerned about your eyes, you should visit your optometrist before getting behind the wheel. Also, if you are a senior citizen who is still driving, you should get your eyes checked to assure that you not be a hazard out on the road. Driving requires a keen sense of sight and quick reflex to dangerous situations, and it is always better to be safe than sorry!