The new “Traffic Law” of the DGThas brought with it multiple novelties in addition to some reminders of laws that not all drivers were aware of. One of the issues that users are least informed about is the obligation to carry spare prescription glasses in the vehicle.
The regulations of the general regulation of drivers indicate that users at the wheel must use correct vision elements if they have any type of deficiency. In this sense, it should be remembered that a few years ago it was mandatory to carry spare glasses in the vehicle, although currently the DGT Law does not require this, but it is still advisable.
In fact, if a user makes a journey without having their visual deficiencies corrected with glasses or contact lenses, they must stop driving, since if they continue driving without perfect vision they will be putting their physical integrity and that of other users at risk.
However, it is normal for doubts to arise about how it is possible for the road authorities to know if the driver needs to wear glasses or contact lenses. To do this, in case the agents want to know this circumstance, what they will do is request the documentation of the vehicle and the driver’s license, where believe it or not, it is possible to consult the visual deficiencies of the driver.
The first thing to keep in mind is that the driving license is divided into 14 points. On the back, in point 12 —the last—, is where this information can be consulted. If you don’t put anything, you don’t need anything. However, if the number 01.01 appears, it indicates that the user must wear glasses. In this case, if the driver is not wearing glasses he will face a penalty.
On the other hand, if this happens, the user may claim that they are wearing contact lenses to see perfectly, something that the agents will not check if the driver is stopped, since the digits 01.02 will appear on the driver’s license, which indicate that person is a contact lens wearer and, most importantly, that they can drive with them. Finally, if 01.06 appears, it means that the driver can wear both glasses and contact lenses.
And it is that suffering from these visual defects is quite common. Almost 80% of the population in Spain has some visual problem and even 30% of Spaniards suffer from at least two vision problems and 14% three. That is why those affected must take into account that there is a list of diseases incompatible with driving and that ignoring this regulation can lead to fines of up to €6,000.
As mentioned above, wearing glasses or contact lenses while driving is very common in Spain. That is why a large number of users use these alternatives to correct their visual defects, such as myopia or astigmatism, and thus be able to drive. In this sense, the DGT has recently reminded drivers that several factors must be taken into account when driving with glasses or contact lenses:
— Wear glasses or contact lenses to get the best vision behind the wheel.
— If you have problems seeing up close, you need to use progressive glasses to better observe the information on the vehicle’s dashboard.
— Do not take the car if you have taken any drug that can alter vision.
— It is recommended to always wear sunglasses that prevent excess light and make driving more comfortable. In addition, it is recommended that they be graduated in case the user has some type of visual deficiency.
— As far as possible, it is advisable to avoid driving at night, in bad weather or at times of day with reduced visibility, as well as on little-known and very busy routes.
— If the user’s pupils have dilated due to an ophthalmological examination, driving should be avoided while the effect lasts.
— It is necessary to drive at a moderate speed as increasing speed reduces the field of vision.
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