Driving Tools for Seniors

Light

Click on a light bulb below to see how light requirements change over time.

Check out more information on light requirements for driving.

20 40 60 80

20 years old

Younger adults need much less light to see clearly while driving at night.

See light requirements at 40

40 years old

As we age, muscles that control our pupil size and reaction to light lose some strength. This causes the pupil to become smaller and less responsive to changes in ambient lighting.

See light requirements at 60

60 years old

A driver aged 60 needs three times as much light to see as a teenager and will take more than twice as long to adjust to a change from light to darkness.

See light requirements at 80

80 years old

The light adapted eye of a 20 year old receives six times more light than that of an 80 year old. In dark adapted conditions, the 20 year old eye receives about 16 times more light.

Field of View

Select an age to see how changes to your field of view affect our ability to see things that might be a safety risk on the road.

Check out more information on changing focus and field of view.

Driving at Night

Driving at night presents challenges to all drivers. Here is an interactive tool to help you to manage night driving glare.

Check out more information and advice on driving at night.

Click on each of the tips to find out how to combat glare at night.

Drivers middle-aged and older are more sensitive to glare than younger drivers because their eyes take longer to adjust to changing light levels.

Click on each of the tips above to find out how to combat glare at night.

Adjust Both Outside Mirrors

Properly aligned mirrors not only reduce blind spots, they also reduce glare from vehicles behind you.

While sitting in the driver’s seat, lean to the left and tilt your head until it rests against the window. From that position, adjust the driver’s side mirror so you can just see the left rear corner of the vehicle.

Avert Your Eyes

When oncoming vehicles shine light directly into your eyes, turn your gaze to the white line on the right side of the road, or to where the pavement meets the shoulder, until the vehicle goes by.

Use the Rearview Mirror’s “Night” Setting

All cars have day/night interior mirrors to reduce glare from cars directly behind you. You can usually change the mirror to its “night” setting by flipping the small lever at the bottom of the mirror.

Proactively Use Your Headlights

Headlights should be on at least one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. Lights should be turned on a cloudy or rainy day. Make sure that all lights are functioning properly.