How Drivers Can Assist People with a Vision Impairment

Additional safety precautions to care for people with vision impairments

Drivers Please:

• Treat the vision impaired person the same way you would treat a sighted person. The person will have been taught how to cross a road safely in normal traffic. Anything unusual could provide a false clue and cause confusion.
• Do not slow down or stop to let them cross where there is not a crossing, or stop when the lights are in your favour.
• Do not rev the engine while you wait at the lights.
• Do not sound your horn as a signal to cross, or shout instructions.
• Give way to all pedestrians when turning.
• Use extreme caution on slip lanes, especially if pedestrians use a white cane or a Guide Dog.
• Do not stop and let a Guide Dog and user cross where there is not a crossing, or stop when the lights are in your favour as this action can confuse the Guide Dog.

Guide Dogs Tasmania can teach people to move about independently, through mobility training,
which can make a lot of difference to the whole lifestlye of a person who is vision impaired.

They no longer have to rely on people as much, or take risks with traffic when they really can't see well enough to manage safely.

The white cane and Guide Dog are symbols of vision impairment.