Struggle with depth perception behind the wheel? Try there Tips
It's night. You're driving. Something is coming towards you. But squint as you might, you can't quite tell just how far away it is.
If you struggle with depth perception while driving, especially at night, it can be pretty scary. But there's good news: there are ways to improve both your vision and your driving to make it a safer, less stressful experience.
So check out our brief guide to improving depth perception behind the wheel. And find out why the problem might not be your eyes - it might be your car.
Use Spatial Clues
Most people don't think about how depth perception works; it's just something that happens, right? Well, you may be surprised to learn that depth perception is a skill that can be honed. That's because, at longer distances, the brain relies mostly on context clues to determine spatial relationships. Training yourself to identify these clues - such as the relative speed of objects in motion, like cars - will enhance your depth perception and lead to a safer driving experience.
Keep Your Car Clean
Going to the car wash isn't just a matter of making your ride look sweet. When it comes to depth perception, it's also a matter of safety. Sure, most people realize that dirt on their windshield can hamper vision and lead to excess glare. But even a small amount of grime on your own headlights can significantly reduce their output, leading to reduced visibility at night as well as eye strain. Simply keeping your windshield and headlights dirt free could make all the difference in the world.
Utilize Your Tools
Every car comes equipped with tools designed to help drivers fight glare and see better at night. But are you using these tools properly? Besides utilizing your sun visor and dimming your rearview mirror, angling your side mirrors correctly can also diminish glare. And those headlights you just got cleaned? You may want to have a mechanic check them to make sure they are set at the proper angle as well. A few small adjustments to your car could make a large difference to your eyes.
Beware of “Night Vision Glasses”
A big craze these days - at least, if you believe infomercials - is the use of special amber or yellow-tinted night vision glasses. But while these types of glasses can sometimes reduce glare, they accomplish this by diminishing the amount of light reaching your eye, meaning they can actually make it more difficult to see rather than less difficult. Luckily, there's a safer solution: Instead of using night vision glasses, consult your eye doctor about getting anti-glare coating for your prescription glasses.
See Your Eye Doctor
Speaking of which, if you have persistent problems with depth perception, particularly at night, you should check with your eye doctor to make sure it isn't a symptom of a larger issue. For instance, decreased night vision is one of the early warning signs of a cataract. Or you may be battling a vitamin deficiency. Seeing your eye doctor might do more than just help your driving - it may just save your sight.
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