Instruction request

[dougc]

Evening all.

A rare foray into Advanced Driving for me and I'm after some advice if you don't mind?

My flatmate was a passenger in a road accident a couple of years ago. As a result of injuries sustained, she has very little sight in her left eye. Since the crash she has not driven, although is comfortable back in a vehicle as a passenger. She wants to get back behind the wheel but sensibly wants to get some tuition first, preferably from someone who is sympathetic to re-training people after involvement in accidents and the sensitivity that might entail. Also anyone specialising in drivers with sight problems would be a bonus. To add complexity, she only has an automatic licence. Based in London.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[WhoseGeneration]

dougc said:

Evening all.

A rare foray into Advanced Driving for me and I'm after some advice if you don't mind?

My flatmate was a passenger in a road accident a couple of years ago. As a result of injuries sustained, she has very little sight in her left eye. Since the crash she has not driven, although is comfortable back in a vehicle as a passenger. She wants to get back behind the wheel but sensibly wants to get some tuition first, preferably from someone who is sympathetic to re-training people after involvement in accidents and the sensitivity that might entail. Also anyone specialising in drivers with sight problems would be a bonus. To add complexity, she only has an automatic licence. Based in London.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks in advance

I'll give my view fwiw.
Firstly, has she consulted her GP as to their opinion about whether her sight is of a standard sufficient enough to start driving again?
Then, if the GP is happy, I would suggest some research to find an ADI, with an automatic car, who provides lessons to those returning to driving after any sort of trauma. Sympathetic confidence building is what will be needed, together with strategies to overcome the specific disability.

[crisisjez]

Many moons ago I was contracted to instruct partially sighted (Monocular vision) people.
Whilst the form of transport was slightly different your friend will have no problem as her brain will make adjustments for the loss of depth perception that loosing an eye will cause.

Any good instructor will do, his technical qualifications are secondary to his 'simpatico' to her situation.

Best of luck to you.

[ScoobyChris]

Imho (as someone who suffers from minimal sight in my right eye) there aren't really any issues with depth perception as this only affects "near" vision, such as catching a ball, rather than the vision used when driving. There is nothing special that needs to be taught (again imho) and the onus is on the driver to compensate for any blind spots caused by a missing eye by moving their head a bit more and perhaps performing more shoulder checks.

The key focus for your friend is to get an ADI who is good at building confidence and local recommendations from people may be a better option

Chris

Edited by ScoobyChris on Monday 31st May 21:33