This review of pertinent literature discusses the changes from daylight to darkness, the available light for night driving from the roadway, the automobile, signals, and the effects of glare. The visual fields, the human eye, dark adaptation, monocular and binocular vision are described as a background for the consideration of acuity and contrast, the time needed for seeing and colour vision. Vision efficiency modifiers are: aging, drugs, disease, fatigue, noise and vibration. Regulation and licensing problems are examined briefly. The opportunities and responsibilities of professional eye care involve proper spectacles for night driving, contact lenses, night myopia and when a vocational spectacle is needed. Some attention is given to the evaluation of borderline vision. The task and training possibilities are considered. An appendix provides conversion factors, an explanation of acuity measurement and a glossary. Several hundred references are included. The basic problem in insufficient light for good seeing for night driving. The better lighted thruways do provide improve seeing, but less than is needed. Because of the cost, proper lighting is not likely in the near future. How to make the best of available seeing is discussed and some needs for future research are proposed. (A)
Samenvatting