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New Mexico driving lesson · Fit to Drive

Vision & fatigue

A 3-minute lesson from the New Mexico course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Fit to Drive
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
31

Driving is mostly seeing. New Mexico tests your eyesight before licensing you, but good driving also depends on side vision, judging distance and speed, and night vision. Being tired dulls all of it.

20/40

Minimum vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses, to pass the vision test

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Other important parts of vision:

  • Side vision: seeing "out the corner of your eye" while looking ahead; also use mirrors and glance aside
  • Judging distances and speeds: needed for merging, passing on two-lane roads and judging a train's speed
  • Night vision: glare from oncoming headlights troubles some drivers
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

If you have trouble seeing at night, don't drive more than necessary and be very careful when you do.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

If you need glasses or contacts to drive, always wear them. Avoid dark glasses or tinted contacts at night; they cut down the light you need.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Fatigue makes you see less well and be less alert, slows your decisions and worsens them, makes you irritable, and can make you fall asleep at the wheel.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

To avoid fatigue on a long trip:

  • Get a normal night's sleep before you leave
  • Don't start a trip already tired; plan to leave rested
  • Don't take medicine that can make you drowsy
  • Eat lightly; a big meal can make you sleepy
  • Take breaks every hour or so: walk, get fresh air, have coffee, soda or juice
  • Plan plenty of time to finish the trip safely
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Never drive sleepy. It's better to stop and sleep a few hours than to risk it. If possible, switch drivers so you can sleep.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Put it into practice

Three hours into a night drive you start yawning and drifting. Don't push on: pull into a safe place and sleep for a few hours, or let a rested passenger drive.

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.

What minimum vision does New Mexico require to pass the vision test?
  1. 20/40 in both eyes, uncorrected only
  2. 20/20 in both eyes, uncorrected
  3. 20/60 in both eyes, corrected
  4. 20/40 in at least one eye

Answer: 20/40 in at least one eye

The vision test measures at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
Why should you avoid dark glasses or tinted contacts at night?
  1. They cut down the light you need to see clearly
  2. They make it harder to judge speed
  3. They make oncoming headlights brighter
  4. They increase glare from your dashboard

Answer: They cut down the light you need to see clearly

Dark glasses or tinted contacts cut down the light you need to see clearly at night.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
What should you do if you feel sleepy while driving?
  1. Never drive sleepy; stop and rest
  2. Open the window and keep going
  3. Drink coffee and continue at the same speed
  4. Turn up the radio to stay awake

Answer: Never drive sleepy; stop and rest

Never drive if you are sleepy — it's better to stop and sleep for a few hours.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
What effect does fatigue have on your driving decisions?
  1. It only affects your ability to steer, not to decide
  2. It has no measurable effect on decision-making
  3. It slows decisions and hurts judgment
  4. It only matters on long highway trips

Answer: It slows decisions and hurts judgment

When tired, it takes more time to make decisions and you don't always make good decisions.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
Which of these helps reduce fatigue on a long trip?
  1. Skipping sleep the night before to get an early start
  2. Driving straight through without stopping
  3. Eating a large meal right before leaving
  4. Taking breaks about every hour

Answer: Taking breaks about every hour

Take breaks every hour or so — the few minutes spent can save your life.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
Wearing dark sunglasses at night helps reduce glare and improves your night vision.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Dark glasses or tinted contacts cut down the light you need to see clearly at night, making it harder to see.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
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More in Fit to Drive

All New Mexico lessons