Colorado driving lesson · Before You Drive & Basic Driving
Fit to drive: vision, hearing, fatigue & more
A 3-minute lesson from the Colorado course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Safe driving depends on seeing clearly, being rested, sober, healthy, and mentally and emotionally fit. Use all your senses: sirens, horns, screeching tires and people shouting can all warn you of danger.
Know the rule
You drive based on what you see. Have your eyes checked every year or two by an eye specialist.
Fatigue greatly reduces your reactions and decision making. Break long drives into two-hour segments, and if you become drowsy, pull off the road and rest.
Even small problems like a stiff neck, cough or sore leg can affect driving. Epilepsy, diabetes and heart conditions can make driving unsafe; check with your doctor.
Don't let your cell phone, passengers, children or rubbernecking (staring at something of interest) distract you. Pull over safely to deal with anything urgent.
Two hours into a drive to Grand Junction, your eyelids feel heavy. Don't push on with the windows down; pull off the road somewhere safe and rest before continuing.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
How often should you have your eyes checked by an eye specialist?
Every year or two
Every 6 months
Every 5 years
Only when you renew your license
Answer: Every year or two
The handbook recommends having your eyes checked every year or two by an eye specialist.