Hi-
This might sound silly, but how Does a Deaf person drive differently from a hearing person? How do Deaf people know if an ambulance or fire truck is coming from behind? How do Deaf people sign while driving? How about at night? I'm hearing, obviously, and I'm curious. Also, are there any devices Deaf people use to help them? I think some people use large rear-view mirrors, but I don't know of anything else.
I'm a design student, trying to come up with some ideas for a project. I'd appreciate your thoughts.
I'd like to jump in and share my perspectives.
1) How does a Deaf person drive differently from a hearing person?
We don't drive much differently as compared to those hearing peers but however we do use our eyes more by using the basic common regulations of checking the rear-view mirrors and side door mirrors, and all that kind of stuffs which is required by being on the road.
2) How do Deaf people know if an ambulance or fire truck is coming from behind?
There are times I admit I did not even realize that the emergency vehicles were behind me but that is what the rear-view mirror is for to put to use by checking it every 30 seconds or so. They (the ambulance/firetrucks/police vehicles) usually would give a space (or a timing) before you're pulled over and they usually are mostly pleased with it. However I do realize that in a case, it can get serious. So it is basically our responsibility to check the rear view mirrors and the surrounding that is around us before one of those vehicles pops out of nowhere.
3)How do Deaf people sign while driving?
I'd have to ask, How do Hearing People jabber off while they drive? How can they really focus on the road when they are deeply engaged in a conversation on a cell phone as well? That same concept applies to the deaf drivers. For me, I usually try to keep the conversation to the minimum with a passenger who signs in order to have my eyes on the road. Our eyes are constantly moving around and multitasking, so I guess you could say that when you get the hang of it, You pretty much become familiar with it's functions.
4) How about at night?
At night time when we drive, We use the dome light that is inside the vehicle to engage into a conversation but however, I don't normally have it on when I am in an area that has deep edged curves because it helps me focus on the road and has a better handle of using the steering wheel.
On the other hand, Driving at night time has it's own advantage because when an emergency vehicle has it's siren lights on - It is much easier to be noticeable whereas it is still somewhat noticeable in the daytime.
There was a similar question to this in another thread which is -
Being deaf and driving and this is what I had to say in that thread -
Actually, It is really simple for us deaf people learn how to drive because we become more dependent on our eyes. It's like when you lose one of the sense, the other sense gains in order to work much better. We go through the same procession just as other hearing people do by taking driver's education or other paths in order to obtain a driver's license.
Just to be aware, If you were asked to say "Can deaf people drive?" - That would be taken in a different light only considered to be offensive because we do can drive. We don't let our deafness stop us from doing the daily routine just as much as others do too.
