If you are concerned for the safety of a family member, friend, or other person who can no longer drive
safely, you may write to your local Driver Safety Office or the address given below. You should provide
the person's name as shown on the license, birth date, driver license number and current address, and
explain what you observed that led you to believe the person is an unsafe driver. The letter should be
signed; however, you may request that your name be kept confidential.
Mail your letter to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Driver Safety Review Unit M/S J234
P.O. Box 942890
Sacramento, CA 94290-0001
DMV will contact the person for a reexamination and, if necessary, administer a driving test to determine
whether or not the person is safe to drive. The person may be issued a restricted license. It is possible
that the person's driving privilege may be revoked as a safety measure, not only for the safety of that
individual but also for the safety of the rest of the driving public.
VISION
Good vision is needed for driving. Most of what you do behind the wheel is based on what you see. If
you cannot see clearly, you cannot judge distances or spot trouble, so you won't be able to do something
about it. You need to see "out of the corner of your eye." This lets you spot cars creeping up on either
side of you while your eyes are on the road ahead.
You may see clearly and still not be able to judge distances. Good distance judgment is important in
knowing how far you are from other cars. Many people who may see clearly in the daytime have trouble
at night. Some see poorly in dim light. Others may have trouble with the glare of headlights.
It is important to have your eyes checked every year or two. You may never know about poor
peripheral vision or poor distance judgment unless your eyes are checked.
If you are required to wear glasses or corrective contact lenses while driving, DMV may suspend or
revoke your license if you violate this restriction. Have your eyes checked every year.
HEARING
Hearing is more important to driving than many people realize. Your hearing can warn you of danger the
sound of horns, a siren, or screeching tires. Sometimes you can hear a car that you cannot see because it
is in your blind spot.
Even people with good hearing cannot hear well if the radio, CD, or tape deck is blaring. Keep it turned
down, and keep at least one window partly open if you are listening to it.
While driving, don't wear a headset or earplugs. It is against the law.
Hearing problems, like bad eyesight, can come on so slowly that you do not notice them. Drivers who
know they are deaf or have hearing problems can adjust. They can learn to rely more on their seeing
habits. A right hand rear view mirror on the vehicle will help.
ALERTNESS
When you are tired, you are less alert. The body naturally wants to sleep at night and most drivers are
less alert at night, especially after midnight. You may not see hazards as soon or react as quickly, so the
chance of a crash is greater. If you are sleepy, the only safe cure is to get off the road and get some
sleep. If you don't, you risk your life and the lives of others.
To keep from getting tired on a long trip:
Get a lot of rest before you start-at least a normal night's sleep.
Don't take any drugs that can make you drowsy-even the night before you start.
Don't drive long hours. Driving straight through can be dangerous if you are tired and sleepy. Set a
common sense limit of 300 to 400 miles a day. What good does it do to drive "straight through," if
you fall asleep when you get there? BR>
Try not to drive late at night. Your body is used to going to sleep at that time.
Take regular rest stops, even if you are not tired. Switch off with another driver every hour or so.
Stop for coffee or a soft drink every 100 miles or every two hours.
Keep shifting your eyes from one part of the road to another. Look at objects near and far, left
and right.
Try chewing gum or singing along with the radio.
Roll your window down and get some fresh air in your face.
If you are tired all the time and fall asleep often during the day, you should have your physician
check for a sleep disorder.
MEDICATIONS
It is important to remember that all medications, prescription and over-the-counter, are potentially
dangerous.
Over-the-counter medicines that you take for headaches, colds, and allergies can make you drowsy and
affect your driving ability. Carefully read and follow the directions about dosage and side effects. Pay
close attention to warnings about continued do sage and who should and should not take the medication.
Under no circumstances should you mix medications unless directed by your physician.
Never take medications prescribed for someone else.
Do not mix alcohol with your medications. This applies to both prescribed and over-the-counter
medications.
If you must take medication before driving, find out the effects of the medication from your physician or
pharmacist. Remember even though you may feel fine, you may not be totally free of the adverse effects
that can affect your driving. It is your responsibility to know the effects of the medications you
take. When you are tired decisions are slower and harder to make.
HEALTH AND EMOTIONS
Whether you are calm, nervous, or hot-tempered, your personality affects the way you drive. Don't let
your emotions interfere with safe driving. Use all the good judgment, common sense, courtesy, and safe
driving rules that you can.
Some conditions, such as poor vision, heart problems, diabetes, or epilepsy may affect your driving.
Discuss your condition with your physician and follow his or her advice. You should also let DMV know
of any condition you have that might affect your ability to drive safely. BR>
Don't drive when you are upset or ill. You should know when you are not fit to drive. You should know
how your passengers (by their actions or advice) may affect your driving. If you are in "good shape," you
can decide more easily if a friend 's advice about driving is good or bad. If you are upset or ill, you may
follow a friend's bad advice because you are not thinking clearly. If you feel good, you will drive better
than when you are angry or sick.
Some Important Points To Remember
If you are ill or upset, don't drive.
Don't drive after drinking or using drugs.
Don't ride with anyone who has been drinking or using drugs, either.
Emotions, such as anger or worry, can make you drive unsafely. Never let out your anger by
driving recklessly.
It is illegal to drive impaired.
You should not choose to drive under any of these aforementioned circumstances. The accident potential
increases dramatically for those who are unfit to drive
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONDITIONS PHYSICIANS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT
Section 410 of the Health and Safety Code requires physicians and surgeons to report in writing to the
local health officer, the name, birth date, and address of every patient at least 14 years of age or older
who is diagnosed as having a disorder characterized by lapses of consciousness or dementia (mental
disorders) conditions.
Although not required by law, any other condition may be reported by physicians when they believe that
a patient cannot drive safely because of a medical condition.
1) If your license requires you to wear corrective lenses ( glasses or contacts ) while driving, you could: A- Decide on your own when you should wear them. B- Come back in one year and have that restriction removed. C- Have your license suspended or revoked if you violate this restriction. D- Drive without them and hope you don't get caught
2) It is against the law to wear a headset or earplugs while driving: A- True B- False 3) If you plan to drive on a long trip, you should: A- Consult your physician for some "pep pills" to help you stay awake. B- Get plenty of rest before you start. C- Practice driving long hours, this will help you get use to keeping up while driving. D- Drive until you get very tired then pull off the side of the road, for the safety of the other drivers on the road.
4) It is permissible and legal to drive on medications if they were prescribed by a physician because they won't affect your driving: A- True B- False
5) To keep from getting tired on a long trip A- Take regular rest stops B- Try chewing gum C- Stop for coffee or a soft drink every hour or two D- All of the above
6) It is important to have your vision checked A- Every time you buy a new car. B- Every 6 months C- Every 10 years D- Every one or two years E- Every 5 years
7) If you cannot see clearly while driving A- You cannot judge distances B- Spot trouble as easily C- Both A and B D- None of the above
8) When you are tired, you are: A- Less alert B- More alert C- More relaxed and better able to make decisions while driving D- Both A and C
9) Taking medications prescribed for someone else should: A- Only be done if your driving on a long trip. B- Not affect your driving C- Never be done D- None of the above
10) When you are tired decisions are slower and harder to make A- True B- False
