Will you ever enter a car that is driven by someone who is blind? That is the question on the surface, but deeper than that, the question is this: Can blind people drive? The idea on the surface is crazy, but we have seen crazier things in this world of ours.
It has been revealed that people who were either born blind or became blind before turning three get to develop a heightened sense of smell, touch, and hearing, even better than people who were not blind. It is because of this that someone who cannot see will be able to call you by the name and tell when someone enters a room or leaves.
In fact, there are other works that describe what the blind and deaf have as some sort of superpower which occurs after the brain rewires itself to boost other remaining senses. Nonetheless, the simple question that is asked is how far can the heightened sense and the boosted senses help them.
Many years before now, the loss of vision prevented individuals from engaging in numerous activities and sort of made living difficult for them. Up till 1984, blind people couldn’t read. However, Frenchman, Louis Braille came up with the Braille system which is actually a collection of raised dots that enable the virtually impaired to read.
Seeing as man can hardly remain in one spot for a long time, moving around is a major problem that the blind face. Some overcome this using their long white cane which helps them ‘feel’ about a distance of 2 feet. There is also the option of using a trained guide dog.
Despite these, long-distance travel still poses some sort of challenge. It begs the question ‘can blind people drive?’
Kudos to inquisitive minds, more learning, unlearning and relearning and technology, there are a number of ways through which blind people can drive.
1. WITH THE USE OF BIOPTICS
Yes, virtually impaired individuals can drive a vehicle using bioptics but only after undergoing a series of tests and training way more intense than ordinary driving lessons. Bioptic driving is however not possible for completely blind persons as it involves the use of a small telescope attached to glasses and an ability to see at least 20/40 through it. One might be tempted to think that this is a risky venture but records actually show lesser accidents from bioptic driving.
2. AUTOMATED CARS
To be fair, this should actually read as semi-automated cars. An example of this is the Google automated car. The Google self-driving project is currently referred to as Waymo as it is now a subsidiary on its own. Waymo actually means a new way forward in mobility, a phrase which totally comprises its aim. This car makes use of sensors which offer a full view of 360o and object detecting lasers of as far as 300metres. It also employs radar for detecting moving objects and vehicles.
Some easy buttons are built into the interior of the cars to enable the blind drivers certain functions like pull over lock, start ride and help. A virtual program called Carcraft after the world of Warcraft video game which simulates models of cities like Austin, California, and Arizona has been built. With this, the engineers have seen models of this self-driving car drive over 25,000 miles virtually. Following continuous developments and testing, this car will hopefully be released in 2022.
3. WITH A HUMAN INSTRUCTOR
Many blind persons have had to rely on sighted individuals for help or directions on one task or the other. Driving might also be possible with proper and well communicate instructions. In a bid to prove or fail the blind driving by instruction in Scent of a Woman, the MythBusters (Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage) employed the help of a blind volunteer driver named Jerry Kune. Jerry received instructions from Jamie and was able to successfully drive the car.
As interesting as this sounds, it has its challenges as well. It isn’t legal for blind persons to drive on the road. The test episode was even done on an abandoned property.
4. DRIVING UNASSISTED
Blind persons deserve the right to live independently and move around as they choose. This has caused some engineers into researching and building cars that allow a blind drive unassisted. The Blind Driver Challenge built a car which simulated the human brain and body parts needed for driving into software, sensors, and hardware. Sensors and laser were built for vision while an inner ear that transmitted a vibrating signal to the driver’s seat helps in helping him make speed decisions.
A pair of gloves was also designed to be worn by the driver to enable him to swerve appropriately by passing vibrating signals to his hand. A National Federation of the Blind US Executive, Mark Riccobono test drove this car successfully in 2011. Further research and design are still being done on this model but its release is eagerly anticipated.
5. THE LEGAL SIDE OF THE COIN
Just as stated, above, there is also the legal side of the argument, because while technology has made it possible and is still improving on making it possible for blind people to be able to drive, there is also what the law says, since before anyone can drive, it has to permit one.
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This side of the argument is also very important mainly for the safety of the person driving as well as for other road users. Thus far, there is no place in the world, as of now, that has made it legal for blind people, as such based on the law, blind people cannot drive. In fact, there are some eye conditions that one may have that would even prevent you from driving. This is most especially if you are worse than 20/200 which means that you are legally blind. The normal eye sight is expected to be 20/20.
Finally
When next you are faced with the question ‘can the blind drive?’, we are certain you wouldn’t hesitate to affirm in the positive. Hopefully, a blind person behind the wheels of a vehicle wouldn’t be a sight to make heads turn in surprise in the nearest future.
