DGT reminder for people who wear glasses or contact lenses

The new «Traffic Law» of the General Directorate of Traffic has brought with it multiple novelties, as well as some reminders of laws that not all drivers were aware of.

In our "News" section we have already told you about some of them in the article "Does traffic law reform affect you?" and in the article "The zero rate of alcohol arrives to Spain". We have also told you about the new fines that are included in this update of the regulation, in the articles "New fines from the DGT in September" and "New fine from the DGT for taking the dog in a vehicle” .

Today we are talking about one of the issues that users are least informed about: the obligation or not to carry spare prescription glasses in the vehicle.

In this case, the renewal of the Traffic Law does not establish anything new, but reminds what is established for these drivers.

The regulations of the General Directorate of Traffic indicate that users behind the wheel must use vision corrective elements if they have any type of deficiency. In this sense, it should be remembered that a few years ago it was mandatory to carry spare glasses in the vehicle, although currently the DGT Law does not require this, but it is still advisable.

In fact, if a user makes a journey without having corrected their visual deficiencies with glasses or contact lenses, they must stop driving, since if they continue driving without perfect vision they will be putting their physical integrity and safety at risk. from other users.

Therefore, if you do not want to be unable to drive due to losing a contact lens or due to the breakage or loss of your usual glasses, it is highly recommended that you have replacement ones in your glove compartment.

If you don't have them and you drive anyway, in addition to the obvious danger of driving without seeing correctly, you will avoid being fined. Not respecting the regulations for drivers with visual problems can lead to fines of up to €6,000.

It is normal for doubts to arise about how it is possible for the road authorities to know if the driver needs to wear glasses or contact lenses. For this, in case the agents want to know this circumstance, what they will do is request the documentation of the vehicle and the driver's license, where, believe it or not, it is possible to consult the visual deficiencies of the driver.

On the back, in point 12, the so-called "Observations", is where this information can be consulted.

If it doesn't say anything, you don't need anything. However, if the numbering 01.01 appears, it indicates that the user must wear glasses. In this case, if the driver does not wear the glasses, he will face a penalty.

On the other hand, if this happens, the user may claim that they are wearing contact lenses to see perfectly, something that the agents will not verify in the event that they stop the driver since on the driver's license the digits 01.02 will appear, indicating that this person is a contact lens wearer and, most importantly, that they can drive with them. Finally, if 01.06 appears, it means that the driver can wear both glasses and contact lenses.

Almost 80% of the population in Spain has some visual problem and even 30% of Spaniards suffer at least two vision problems and 14% three. That is why those affected must take into account that there is a list of diseases incompatible with driving and that ignoring this regulation can lead to fines of up to €6,000.

The DGT reminds drivers that several factors must be taken into account when driving with glasses or contact lenses:

• Use glasses or contact lenses to get the best vision behind the wheel.
• If you have trouble seeing up close, you need to use progressive glasses to better see the information on the vehicle's dashboard.
• Do not take the car if you have taken any drug that can alter vision.
• It is recommended to always wear sunglasses that prevent excess light and make driving more comfortable. In addition, it is recommended that they be graduated in case the user has some type of visual deficiency.
• As much as possible, it is advisable to avoid driving at night, in bad weather or at times of day with reduced visibility, as well as on little-known and very crowded routes.
• If the user's pupils have dilated due to an ophthalmological examination, driving should be avoided while the effect lasts.
• It is necessary to drive at a moderate speed as increasing speed reduces the field of vision.

We hope that this information and these tips will be useful for you to comply with the requirements of current traffic legislation and, thus, always drive safely.