A review of surveys, analyses, and experimental studies was conducted to determine driver education and training needs, driver licensing requirements, and actual driving performance of individuals with vision and hearing deficits. While research seems to indicate that vision deficiencies have an adverse effect on safe driving performance, a number of severely visually impaired individuals have been shown to drive safely with the aid of telescopic lens spectacles. Research results to date are not adequate to establish the auditory requirements for safe driving performance, but there is little evidence to suggest that hearing-impaired individuals, with the possible exceptions of totally deaf males and older deaf drivers, do not drive as safely as the general population. A great deal of further research is needed in the area, particularly in the establishment of requirements for driver education and training programs for both vision and hearing limited individuals.
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