2006-11-13 01:38:30 · 9 answers · asked by marcielatham 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Of course they can! The only extra requirement is an outside mirror on the passenger side, which is now mostly standard equipment on all vehicles.
2006-11-13 01:44:54 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Driving is 98% visual (I just made that number up, but I know I heard a number close to that before). Therefore a very small percentage involves hearing. Deaf people are very visually aware, so they are likely to see a police car even though they don't hear it, they are likely to see an accident about to happen even if they don't hear tires screeching, they are likely to see the light turn green even though they can't hear someone honking at them (think about how many times you've been honked at...probably not many).
Besides, they aren't going to be distracted while talking on a cell phone, or by a loud radio, or anything like that (although talking while driving with a deaf person is really interesting, believe me). The one problem that deaf people have in getting a license is that many Deaf people lack English skills necessary to pass the written part of the test. I have some Deaf friends who can't get their license because they can't pass the test, but I have other Deaf friends who are obsessed with cars and driving (I won't say that they are excellent drivers, because they are boys so they are rather reckless, but the drive...a lot)
Think about it, when you go to DMV, you have to take a vision test. If the Deaf were prohibited from driving, wouldn't you have to take a hearing test, too?
2006-11-13 10:31:36 · answer #2 · answered by seasonsoflove 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very much so. As a matter of fact, the deaf have the highest safety rating.
They KNOW they cannot hear and take measures to compensate. The deaf will watch closely for the signs that something is amiss and react properly. (people pull off the road, slowing down, etc.) They also have devices in their cars that recognize the sound of a siren and give the driver a visual LED pattern, similar to your radar dector.
They are MUCH safer than the drivers who are distracted by their cellphones. They are even more safe than those who THINK they can hear but cannot detect anything outside of their car because the stereo is turned up.
2006-11-13 09:41:52 · answer #3 · answered by Trailcook 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure why people assume that Deaf people can't drive, but I hear it all of the time. My little brother has a profound hearing loss and does not use hearing aids. He has no restrictions on his license. There are no special rules (in our state) about using hearing aids or extra mirrors. Most, if not all, of his friends drive. Deaf drivers are very safe. Whenever we traveled anywhere together I let him drive.
I would rather ride with him than with hearing drivers who blare the radio, have a cell phone on one ear, and are chatting with their passenger.
2006-11-13 17:50:04 · answer #4 · answered by Teri 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! I had a girlfriend MANY years ago who was 100% deaf and she drove just fine...yes, she had a license!
Why would you even ask such a question? How does being deaf affect someone driving a car? Have you HEARD how loud teens play their radios in their cars? They can't hear anything past the windows either.
2006-11-13 09:48:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think they can but you might want 2 ask people who live near you or that are deaf
2006-11-13 09:41:46 · answer #6 · answered by ***clumsy clam*** 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know they can legally drive in all the states.
2006-11-13 09:48:13 · answer #7 · answered by kelly r 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes they can . most drive better than those people with the bass cranked up with that rap crap on
2006-11-13 09:41:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I have several friends that do.
2006-11-13 09:45:44 · answer #9 · answered by jen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋