This month, I have had my driver’s license for ten years. It’s kind of hard to believe especially, since I never expected to drive.

Growing up, I was told repeatedly that I would not be able to drive.  I was also told that I couldn’t get contacts or ski.  I would later disprove both of those statements, but even I believed I wouldn’t drive.

When I was 26, Dr. Paulette Turco, my low vision specialist, casually mentioned that I had enough vision with my new contacts to qualify for a learner’s permit in Massachusetts.  I promptly burst into tears.
Me? Drive? Nooooooooo.  I wallowed in self doubt for a year and finally decided that I had to determine for myself whether I could drive, or not.

I took professional driving lessons with Mark Whitehouse of the Adaptive Driving Program, Inc. in Dedham Mass.  I also spent a lot of time driving with my friend Jeanne Spellman. Mark taught me what I needed to know to pass the driver’s test, Jeanne taught me “the rules of the road” for survival on the roads of Massachusetts.  Both groups of knowledge were and are incredibly useful.  While both Mark and Jeanne played a part in getting my license, it was Jeanne’s unwavering patience and faith that really got me through the whole process.  Over and over again she would say “You can do this.” and she was right.

Getting my license lead to opportunities  I wouldn’t have had otherwise.  Including the ability to drive to Rhode Island to support Jeanne when personal circumstances required she live there for a few months.

After five years of driving in Massachusetts, we moved to New Hampshire.  The laws and the roads here are different.  We live in the country, and the only way to get around is by car, but in New Hampshire, my vision requires that I wear a bioptic telescope, now I don’t know how I got along without it.

Ten years and 3 cars (the first two were leased) later, I can say I am a good driver.  Though I am not accident free, all but one of my accidents happened within the first 2 years of getting my license and by all accounts can be attributed to driver inexperience, not vision. I can say that no one has ever been injured in any of the accidents I had, but there is a newspaper box in Waltham, MA that will never quite be the same.

The most recent accident happened four years ago at 25 mph on an icy road in a car that I had yet to drive in winter conditions. There was relatively minor damage to the front end of the car and my daughter has a story she likes to tell again and again and again and (you get the point).

Mark Whitehouse once told me it takes 6 years to become a competent driver.  I scoffed then, but in hindsight, I see his point and I agree with him.  It takes that long just to encounter all the different types of road conditions and wacko drivers. So, it ten years of driving, what have I learned?

When it comes to choosing a car, go with function over form.  Yeah, that sports car LOOKS cool, but the visibility can be atrocious and I need all the visibility I can get. I’ve had 2 Dodge minivans and now have a 2003 Honda CRV. Lots of windows to scrape in the snow, but worth it.

Some times the long way is the best way.  Especially if it means avoiding road construction or head-on sun early in the morning or late in the day.

Knowing my limits can be disappointing, but it keeps everybody safe.  I’ve missed an activity or event here or there because the weather was unpredictable, or I was just too tired, but I’m still here in one piece.

Don’t drink and drive.  While this should be a no brainer for everyone, it is especially true for me.  I am a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, so If I’m drinking, I’m not driving, no way, no how.  Besides, I owe more than a few turns as designated driver.

When renting a car, it is worth the extra money to rent one similar to what I regularly drive. It is also worth it to spend a few extra minutes memorizing where the critical controls are (i.e. speedometer, wipers, lights and turn signals).

There should be a federal law that says anyone directing traffic is REQUIRED to where brightly colored gloves.   Most don’t so when in doubt, I wait for very clear directions.

There are lots of high tech tools for driving, some are distractions, some can be a Godsend (I’ll write more about my favorites in another post).

I’ve met people who say “my vision is XX over 200, can I drive?”.  That depends on where you live, and you. Driving is not for everyone. Even normally sighted people forget that driving is a privilege, not a right, but I encourage you to do the research, talk to you doctor, talk to the Department of Motor Vehicles and if you have the vision and the laws allow, give it a try.  You will meet resistance, but persevere. You may decide that it requires more vision than you have and that’s OK, but at least you will know that you gave it your best shot. On the other hand, you may decide that yes, you can do this.  Good luck!