No matter how well a new driver has succeeded on the vision test, they have to learn how to use their vision while driving. The proper techniques have to be learned and practiced, beginning with the driving lesson behind the wheel. They will become “seeing habits” that will keep young people safe and filled with satisfaction.

Where to Look

A new driver usually tends to look too closely in front of the automobile. Unless trained properly they may develop the dangerous habit of looking at the shoulder of the road, at or around the road directly in front of the car, or worst of all, at the center line, close to the car. It is well known that a driver steers the car in the direction they are looking.

This difficulty can be avoided by always having a “reference point” – a point as far as you can see down the road in the center of lane where your car must pass. This reference point is always moving forward as the car is moving. Remember that your field of vision narrows with speed, and unless you turn your head right and left and try to keep a wide picture, you might not see any movement at the side that would have attracted your eye if your mind were not concentrated on a particular object. When you return your gaze to the direction straight ahead, your eye should again fix on the reference point. Normally, the eyes move automatically about every 1.7 seconds. When you stare, the natural movement of the eyes does not happen as it should, and your vision becomes glazed; “highway hypnosis” may result. Highway hypnosis happens mostly on roads that are flat, with no scenery to attract the driver’s eyes. The driver who has not made a firm habit of moving his eyes every two seconds is very prone to danger.

Every five seconds, at least, look in your rear view and side mirrors to keep track of what is happening behind the car. Look more often when traffic is heavy.

While driving in the city, you will have many reasons to look away from the reference point: the sidewalks, parked cars, intersections and intersection controls, the cars in front, the cars behind. If you are not feeling well, or are too busy with your thoughts, your mind may be totally absent from the driving task, so that you might not notice some dangerous situation, or see it too late.

Highway driving is no different in this respect. Obstacles may be far away, but the car is moving much faster, so danger areas should be lengthened accordingly. You must keep control of your attention, and keep your eyes moving.

To summarize, the proper “looking habit” is: look at the reference point without staring; turn the eyes when they are attracted by movement, check the possible danger, and decide what action is to be taken; and look elsewhere to some other possible dangers. If the road or the side of the road does not present obstacles, move your eyes by habit, checking right and left, checking the rear view mirrors, the gauges, and dashboard, checking the scenery, etc., and then return to the reference point. Keep track of things in your field of vision by being careful not to let your eyes be trapped and retained on one specific object. Relax, deal with objects as they come, and get the full picture because you are getting the most of your field of vision. Like your attention, your vision should be fully under control.

Escape Route

Always think about an “escape route.” Coming up to the crest of a hill, look to the right shoulder of the road to see if there is room to move out of your lane if a car comes the opposite way on the wrong side of the road. Do the same when rounding a curve. Be prepared to move to the left (or the right) lane to avoid a collision with a vehicle entering or leaving a highway.

The habit of having a reference point far down the road is very important; when distance visibility is reduced by hills or curves, you will automatically reduce your speed because your reference point is closer to you; it will not feel unless you know that you can stop your car within the distance you can see.