Effect of Restriction of Vision on Driving Performance

Abstract

The effect of restricting vision on driving performance was investigated in a field study. Commonly occurring binocular visual‐field defects were simulated for a group of young normal subjects and the effect of these defects on their driving performance on a private closed rural road, free of other vehicles, was assessed. The monocular condition did not significantly affect performance for any of the driving tasks assessed. Restriction of the binocular visual field to 40° and less, significantly increased the time taken to complete the course, reduced the ability to detect and correctly identify road signs, avoid obstacles, and to maneuver through limited spaces. Accuracy of road positioning and reversing were also impaired with field restriction. However, the time taken for many driving tasks, reversing and maneuvering, and the driver's ability to estimate speed, stopping distance, or reaction time were not affected by a restriction of the binocular visual fields. The results are discussed with regard to their impact on traffic engineering practices.