Blinded by the Light? Vision Problems and Visual Discomfort Make Driving in the Dark Difficult, Uncomfortable for Most...( Despite recognition of problem m...),Health

Despite recognition of problem, most don't get eyes examined, new

nationwide survey shows

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- As millions of Americans prepare to set the clocks back an hour on November 4 and see fewer hours of daylight, findings from a new survey raise concerns for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians about what people may not be seeing while driving in the dark. Of further concern, while most believe that correcting their vision problems would improve their ability to drive in low-light conditions, many have never talked to an eye care professional about treatment options.

Nearly one of every three drivers on the road (32 percent) say they have difficulty seeing all or most of the time while driving in the dark according to Shedding Light on Driving in the Dark, a nationwide survey conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of Road & Travel Magazine and ACUVUE(R) Brand Contact Lenses. More than one-fourth (26 percent) report that they have trouble seeing signs or exits; one-fifth (20 percent) acknowledge difficulty seeing animals or pedestrians, and one-fifth (20 percent) also have difficulty with seeing turns in the road. More than one in five (22 percent) also report problems in judging distance while driving in the dark.

A total of 515 vision-corrected Americans aged 18 and over participated in the survey. Nearly a quarter (23 percent) of respondents expressed concern and a lack of confidence about their driving skills in the dark. Vision problems and discomfort also leave them feeling concerned (24 percent) and unsafe (21 percent) behind the wheel.

"Driving in the dark is one of the most hazardous situations faced by a driver," says Courtney Caldwell, founder and editor-in-chief of Road & Travel Magazine. "Roads with low or no lighting, glare from headlights, and fluctuations in vision are contributing factors to the disproportionately high rate of car accidents and fatalities tha
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