How Much Does Vision Loss Impair Your Driving?
Dental & Vision
Many drivers aren’t sure when their vision makes it unsafe to drive.
If your eyesight has gradually deteriorated over time, you may not notice slight changes in your vision. But even slight changes can result in dangerous consequences on the road. This may leave you wondering if it’s still safe to drive.
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About 50 million licensed drivers (one in five) in the U.S. are 65 or older.2 State laws typically require drivers to have 20/40 vision or better in at least one eye to drive unrestricted, but there are factors beyond visual acuity to consider.
Visual Field
A 2023 study suggests that there’s more to road safety than the ability to see distant objects clearly. Researchers instead focused on visual field, or how widely a person can see when staring straight ahead. A wide field of peripheral vision allows drivers to see potential hazards on either side of a car while still paying attention to what is in front of them. The study concluded that loss of peripheral vision can increase the risk of a car crash by 84%.3
Visual Processing Speed
Older drivers may take longer to process visual information and react to changes in the driving environment. The ability to process multiple visual cues simultaneously, such as lane changes and other vehicles, can decline, making driving more challenging. In a recent study of several visual functions among older adults, lower processing speed showed the most significant association with driving performance and elevated crash rates.4
Night Vision
When driving at night, depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision can be compromised. As we age, we have greater difficulty seeing in low-light conditions. A 50-year-old driver may need twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year-old. At age 60 and older, driving can become even more difficult.5
Age-Related Eye Conditions
Some older drivers may also have compromised vision due to cataracts and degenerative eye diseases. For example, age-related macular degeneration can cause vision loss and result in blurred vision or the inability to see certain elements.6
Recommendations
It’s important to be aware of vision changes that occur due to aging so you can take steps to navigate the road safely. The American Opthamology Association recommends that older drivers take extra precautions like reducing speed, minimizing distractions, and limiting driving to daytime hours if possible.
It’s important to get eye exams at least annually so your doctor can identify changes in your vision. For those 60 and older, a dilated eye exam every one to two years is recommended. If you need glasses or contact lenses to see while driving, make sure your prescription is current.
No matter your age, eye exams should be a standard part of your healthcare routine. Learn more about how you can save on eye care with our Vision Plans that include coverage for eye exams, eyewear, and more.
1 “1 in 6 road collisions caused by ‘poor eyesight,” Freedom Vision, freedom-vision.co.uk,
2,3 “How Much Vision Loss is Too Much When it Comes to Driving?” American Academy of Ophthalmology, aao.org, November 2023.
4 “Poor Visual Processing Speed, Motion Perception Lower Driving Ability,” Review of Optometry, reviewofoptometry.com, April 2022.
5 “The Most Dangerous Time to Drive,” National Safety Council, nsc.org, accessed March 2025.
6 “Safe Driving for Older Adults,” National Institute on Aging, accessed March 2025.
