"Driving deaf is a serious safety issue."
You'd think so, but it's not true. I grew up with deaf parents, uncles, cousins, and assorted family friends. On average, they're safer drivers. I suppose their other senses are more acute. My dad drove for 50 years without a single accident, and my mom has been driving for 50+ years with just one accident (as a 4-year-old, I distracted her).
In any case, what's the difference between a deaf driver and a hearing driver who is listening to a loud radio? And finally, you don't see many deaf drivers chatting on cell phones, do ya?
You said -- "In any case, what's the difference between a deaf driver and a hearing driver who is listening to a loud radio? And finally, you don't see many deaf drivers chatting on cell phones, do ya?"
Yes, they're more visually aware of their surrounding circumstances, because it's their "lifeline".
Regards,
Star Traveler
P.S. -- It's too bad that so many FReepers are so woefully ignorant on the subject. I've seen it before (on previoius threads) about the deaf community.
The hearing driver listening to the loud radio would be distracted. The deaf driver would not.
And finally, you don't see many deaf drivers chatting on cell phones, do ya?
Well, now that you mention it . . .
There's a popular myth that the loss of one sense makes the others more acute, but research doesn't support it. There's a good reason for that perception, though -- someone with four senses instead of five has less divided attention. A deaf driver isn't distracted by a blaring stereo (his or anyone else's), a ringing cell phone or a yakking passenger.
Deaf people don't see better, but they watch better -- just like blind people don't hear better, but they listen better.