So I did a little, quick-study using just a few online resources. Here’s what I was able to determine (MOO & MUnderstandingO)
According to the American Academy of Opthamology,
What Does 20/20 Vision Mean?
What Does 20/20 Vision Mean?
A person with 20/20 vision can see what an average individual can see on an
eye chart when they are standing 20 feet away,” says Dr. McKinney, an ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist at Eye Health Northwest in Oregon City, Ore.
SNIP
Dr. McKinney says that only about
35 percent of all adults have 20/20 visionwithout glasses, contact lenses or corrective surgery. With corrective measures, approximately 75 percent of adults have 20/20 vision. In almost every state, visual acuity of 20/40 or better is required for an
unrestricted driver’s license. People are considered “legally blind” if their corrected vision (with eyeglasses or contacts) is 20/200 or worse.
SNIP
Outside the United States, vision is measured in meters instead of feet and the standard is expressed as “6/6.”
SNIP
Yaya’s PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT compliments of and authored by someone at the link above - Your visual acuity is measured as part of an
eye exam. The
American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that you get a
baseline eye examination at age 40, the time when early signs of disease or changes in vision may occur.
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So, if I understand this correctly it would be possible for
SOME folks to drive while legally blind but only if a visual assistance device is able to help improve their vision to a certain standard set according to each state’s own laws. Given that states vary on their criteria for someone to qualify for a license based on vision, I pulled up info on New Mexico. I don't know if he was a legally registered resident there or just a visitor/patient in New Mexico. All I know is that it’s where he’s listed as having gone missing .
A list of all states. –
https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/drivers-license-examination/
https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/category/us-motor-laws/new-mexico/
New Mexico –
The MVD is responsible for establishing qualifications and administering examinations.
Applicants get no more than 3 chances to pass the examination within a period of 6 months from the date of the application.
All 1st-time applicants must pass a written test and a road test.
The MVD is required to test the eyesight of all applicants (20/40 visual acuity is required).
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Out of curiosity and because it came up on search results, here’s a Dr. somewhat nearby in our area. He seems to be advertising his ability to perform procedures using today’s technology to help some visually impaired people regain their ability to drive/live independently.
Patients with vision in the 20/200 range can many times be improved to 20/50 or better.
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Here are a couple of random ppl’s answers to a user’s question of whether they can drive with 20/200 vision. I thought these answers were pretty informative and that they might even be sincere enough to “take their word” for it.
Apparently a doctor can test a patient for and recommend various telescopic lenses called bioptics to assist with driving.
Legally blind can I drive?
1. The special glasses use telescopic lenses called bioptics. Only an eye doctor can tell you if they will work for you.
The rules vary by state. In New York State, the telescopic portion of the lens must correct to 20/40 with a binocular field of vision of 140 degrees. The rest of the lens must correct to 20/100 or better.
Legal blindness is 20/200 or worse in the better eye under the best correction, so it’s unlikely you can get to 20/100 or better.
2. First you need to talk to your eye doctor to see if you’re a good candidate for those types of lenses, and if he/she thinks it’s okay if you drive. Take this very seriously because you are not alone on the road.
With your eye doctor’s approval, IF you can pass the vision exam at the DMV, you SHOULD be able to get a license. You will likely have a stiplation on your license that limit how and where you can drive; i.e., you can’t drive at night, or you must be wearing lenses, and if you go outside of those stips, you can have your license revoked.
My mother in law is legally blind, but she drives just fine, even at night. Until she gets on the freeway. . . at 35 miles an hour. . . don’t do that.
Good luck.
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I was just a little girl waaaaaayyyyy back then. I’ve got no clue about science & technology’s offerings in ’76-’77 and I don’t know if I’m going to spend much time researching for answers. I know folks had glasses.
Some even had what we called “coke bottle glasses”. Seriously that’s about all I know.
So again, no real answer as to whether Daniel could/would have been able to drive legally or illegally. (IMO) But this very quick research project did help raise a few questions for me to pose for us to bat around…
Did military veterans have access to visual aids/treatments? Would employment insurance back in the 70s pay for visual care or services?
I don’t necessarily think he kept a job for very long (hitchhiker, transient), but many companies back then provided darned good insurance coverage and I don’t think “waiting periods” were a huge concern. If required, it usually was for about 30-90 days. What about disability ins/medicare/medicaid? Do those types of plans cover this?
Furthermore, was he a law-abiding citizen or did he even care to follow laws? If this UID is him, couldmit be he was in a state of desperation the night he wrecked and died? Was he running from smokey bear precisely because he was driving unliscensed or with daytime only privileges? Again, where was he going? Why? Was he running because of prior crime(s) or because he was driving during restricted times? Then, maybe he couldn’t drive so it wasn’t him? How can we know? Did anyone do any research on his family, past employers, fiends, associates, or perhaps contact LE to inquire? If so, please share info or links.
I’m certainly not trying to ‘prove’ you or anyone else wrong. Rather I’m simply trying to dig under and turn over every rock we can find to solve this mystery. Imo, this UID deserves his name back and his family (if any alive) deserve answers. I’m not ready to walk away yet. I really am not 100% confident about Mr. Harp, not even close now that you threw a
big wrench in my theory.
Having said that though, it’s been way too long that this case has been dragging on. Today’s technology should be able to provide some answers or new investigative paths to travel, I hope! All MOO.
Thanks for helping. I look forward to sharing more ideas.