Response to a comment on deaf drivers
June 5th, 2007, 3:08 pm · 16 Comments · posted by
I found this in my blog’s comment queue today when I got back from my weekend. I wanted to post so that everyone can see it, rather than buried in an old post’s comments. This is for a post I wrote titled “You can’t do that! You’re deaf!”
Anna Says:
I’m sure many of you are safe drivers, but not all deaf drivers should be on the road. A deaf driver smashed into me on my bike just six weeks ago. I suffered extensive injuries, spent two weeks in the hospital and have medical bills totally over 300K. I will be unable to walk for another three months. This man was not fit to have a drivers license. I’m not opposed to the deaf being licensed - I just think the standards for issuing licenses to the deaf should be tightened up so someone like the man who hit me is stopped from getting a license.
I wonder if deaf drivers have a more difficult time obtaining auto insurance…
Anna, I am sorry to hear about your accident. Without knowing the full story, I can’t really pass judgment. However, I don’t think deafness is the issue here. The driver’s competency sounds more like the key. Maybe he was not paying attention, which is a common mistake for all drivers both hearing and deaf. You do not mention whether his insurance is paying your medical bills. Was he insured?
As for making it harder for deaf drivers to be licensed, that is against civil rights. Driving is a privilege that is legally granted to all Americans, including deaf people. Deaf drivers go through the same testing as hearing drivers with an extra emphasis on being visual and aware of our surroundings. We don’t get special treatment. Same goes for insurance. Unfortunately, the privilege of driving depends on the driver keeping a good record.
I am of opinion that all drivers hearing, deaf, immigrant, young and old, need to be screened carefully when they take the driving test or get insurance. Deaf people should not be singled out to have a harder time getting automotive insurance just because they can’t hear. This kind of statement is discrimination. It’s same as telling a black person that he/she cannot drive or be insured because of the color of their skin, or that a woman can’t because of her gender. The same goes for granting or denying insurance. Legally, insurers are required to insure any driver who passes the driving tests and has a good record. If a deaf person can pass the driving tests, they have the right to be granted the priviledge of driving. It is up to the driver — both hearing and deaf — to maintain a good record. It’s bad drivers that should be looked at closely.
There are many bad drivers who are still driving and may not be licensed or insured. I have been hit by 3 drivers that should not have been driving. All 3 were hearing. Two were DUI. One DUI was not insured, and one was a hit-and-run driver that has never been caught to this day. The third one was an uninsured driver was also an immigrant fresh to America. And the DUI got his license back after serving punishment. Do I say “Those hearing drivers shouldn’t have licenses because they’re stupid for driving uninsured and under the influence!” or “Immigrants shouldn’t be driving!”
No.
They are just human beings who chose not to use their brains. My point is, deaf people are the same as hearing people. Driving depends on you paying attention to what you are doing, being aware of what is going on around you on the road, and driving responsibly. If you are capable of doing something that the average Joe can or better, you should be allowed to rather than being told you can’t do it because of a minor disability or the color of your skin, your gender, etc.
Anna, I really do hope you have a speedy recovery.
I invite comments on this from all of my readers.
16 Comments
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Hi! I would like to mention something to Anna regarding deaf driver shouldn’t have license. I have been driving for over 16 years and I have good driving record.
I’m sorry that you felt angry against that deaf person who hit you and you’re stuck with the health problems that you are facing right now; I do give you my best wishes for you to get well and healthy again. But I would like to mention something and share with you is that, it don’t matter who or what with accident happening, which it happens all over the world. I have experienced 2 friends that got hit by a car who the pedestrian are deaf on the bicycle and they had the right of way, and the both drivers (different times and different friends) was hearing and both accident was found both driver at fault for hitting the pedestrian on bicycle that are deaf pedestrians. It is the way other around just like you faced. It happens everywhere, no matter if we’re deaf or hard of hearing, or hearing people. It’s a person who is reckless or not being careful and not watching where to go. I had to go through the same way hearing person did to get license, by written test, taking driving training, few months practicing on that road with parents, then I had to pass the driving test with Department of Motor Vehicle with passing with flying colors.
I do wish the best for you to get well with your health and future.
I agree, often hearing drivers have the radio so loud they can no more hear the outside of the car than a Deaf person could. I know, I’m one of them!
Dennis
This is what really irks me and it happens to a lot of minorities. Once a minority does something bad or accidently, it becomes a stereotype for those people. I have been asked repeatedly why deaf people are driving when they should not be? If they are, how can they drive? Many times, I said hearing has nothing to do with your ability to drive! Many times its the same reply “what about police cars or ambulance? how can they hear the sirens?” … I would reply “Again, many people that can hear sometimes do not hear the sirens due to traffic noise or them blaring their radios! yet, deaf people are learned to be very visual and we would notice a siren a mile away with their flashing lights”.
I am a deaf driver and I have been driving for over 13 years, no accidents and I am a very safe driver, I follow the law and I use my eyes and I repeatedly check my rearview and side mirrors when driving or changing lanes.
I see on the news about over 100 or 200 people in car accidents on the news, hit and run and those were caught, all hearing people, none are deaf. Why is that? You are judging based on 1 deaf person? Of course, a deaf person would get into a car accident one day, why? because we are human just like everyone else, we make mistakes too! Not because we couldn’t hear, it could be a reason we were distracted or cut off or same reasons as all hearing people have been getting in accidents.
Another thing, if a deaf person hit you while riding your bike, is it possible that you corss the street, surprising the deaf driver? Many times I have seen many kids, people riding bikes carelessly and crossing the street without stopping looking both ways… so far I only got 1 side of the story, yours and blaming deaf person. I want to hear what the deaf driver has to say and why he/she hit you, was it because you were riding your bike as if you own the road?
The one time I was smashed into by a yakking idiot who wasn’t paying attention to where he was going, he was hearing. We hearies obviously have such a tough time concentrating because we’re constantly distracted by noises. Obviously, we shouldn’t drive.
What does that man’s incompetance have to do with his deafness? He was just an incompetant driver, that’s all. Like thousands of hearing people who have no business driving.
I get in the car with BEG all the time with not the slightest hint of concern, and I never have. Following that logic, all deaf people are top-flight, excellent drivers because her competance must be due to her deafness.
Beside, at least deaf drivers ain’t gonna be yakking away on their cellphopnes …
This is a simple case of incompetance.
Without knowing all the facts, we can’t say it was deafness or hearing, black or white, male or female, soccer mom distracted by her bratty kids in the backseat while she’s yacking on the phone to whomever in her giant SUV as if she owns the road …
NO …
This is SOLELY about someone clearly not paying attention at a moment when they should have been. It happens - TO US ALL - hearing and deaf alike. As has been commented on and mentioned several times above, we ALL get distracted or one reason or another.
I’m very sorry you were so badly hurt. I do hope you are recovering and his insurance is paying for that.
However, I do not appreciate your comment that deafness was the cause. My very best friend is one of the safest drivers I have ever met …
Oh yea - she’s DEAF!
A typical ignorant comment from a clueless hearing person. I hope she reads this post.
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HANA: Me too.
This sounds like a freaky accident when the deaf driver hit her and her bike. As many deafies have very good eyesight and are able to ascertain moving things a little farther than hearies can.
However I had a deaf friend who got hit by a firetruck, I am not sure what happened, he felt very embarrassed and ashamed afterwards — I tried to get information out of him but he couldn’t explain why. So accidents can happen regardless if we are deaf, disabled or normal or whatever.
I wish this lady would have talked to the deaf driver to find out what happened, maybe the deaf driver did not have the opportunity to apologize, there was lack of communication and the anger erupted right there. Many times when deaf people are in a crisis with hearing people, we sometimes cannot communicate with them, they are left feeling bitter and angry when they don’t know the whole story and blame on deaf people, I’ve seen that happen many times and if an accident or crisis happens, it is very very very important that the deaf person gets an interpreter to prevent misunderstanding and to straighten things out and to make a resolution right there.
It is also possible that maybe this deaf driver is feeling angry towards the hearing biker and wishes that the biker did not have the right to ride her bike.
Some deaf drivers, who check their blackberry pagers often or chit chat with their friends (in the car), face a high risk of having an accident. I shudder when I recently watched at least two vloggers who bragged about checking their pagers and holding the steering wheel with one leg/ knee at the same time. One wrong slip or turn can be serious. The blackberry can wait till you stop at a red stop or pull over to the shoulder of the highway!
Hearing people, who chat on their cells or fiddle with the radio, face the same risk. They also look at their friends, not paying attention to the road.
In our area, we have lost at least five deaf drivers while others experienced serious injuries, some with irreversible brain injuries. No one is immune to accidents or deaths.
I have driven for almost 30 years and have witnessed how aggressive, impatient, irresponsible, or reckless drivers have become over the years. I have had a number of close calls especially in the last 7 years.
All I can say is to drive safely. It is why we often say: “Drive safely” to others who leave. It shows how much we care for them. Be safe than sorry.
Add me to the list of deaf drivers with zero-collision driving records. I’ve been driving safely for 14 years.
Moreover, my driving education workbook read “Deaf drivers generally have better driving records than their hearing counterparts”. So maybe we should take away driving licenses from hearing people. Yeah, just take it away from them just because they’re hearing.
Gee whiz. Let’s ban all blacks from having guns because they all kill each other with it! Let’s ban Native Americans from buying booze because they’re all drunkards!
The list could go on and on. Talk about a clueless, willfully ignorant woman!
Yes Tayler, you are right, a friend of mine told me about an article on FHM or MAXIM magazine newsbit, where an article was stating based on RATIO alone, deaf people are one of the best drivers in the country. I do not know what the ratio was it was a drastic difference if you see 30 million deaf people, the accident is quite low out of 30 compared to hearing people. Oh well… I wish I had that article. I’ll look for it.
I am sure the proportion of deaf people who shouldn’t be driving is about the same as the proportion of hearing people who shouldn’t be driving!
Unless the vast majority of accidents are caused by deaf people, the problem here is in the competency of the individual driver, not whether or not he can hear.
Studies have consistently shown that overall, deaf people have a better record at driving than hearing people. Because when cars first appeared on the road, deaf people were not allowed to drive at all, until they were able to prove that the notion they were unsafe drivers was plain wrong.
I’m very sorry to hear about the original accident mentioned. I hope the recovery is complete, the bills minimal, and the particular drive, especially if he has any previous incidents not be allowed to drive again. But because he’s a menace on the road, NOT because he is deaf.
Everyone that I know personally who was in a car accident, was hit by a hearing person. But no one’s ever blamed their hearing for the accident. I submit the same should be applied to deaf drivers.
I have a very good driving record too. It is sad that people are so prejudiced. I agree, it’s not a Deaf issue. It’s a competence issue.
Tayler, I was told the same thing by my N.Y.S required 5-hour course instructor. During that 5-hour course, a couple of students in that class pointed at me and said “How COULD HE drive!?” “Why are Deaf people allowed to drive?!” And the instructor smiled and said “this Deaf gentleman probably will be a better driver than any of you in this room.” And then he proceeded to explain statistics.
This whole thing reminds me of that time I went to get a haircut. Before I left, the hairdresser actually put her hand on my shoulder as to prevent me from getting up.. And she called over another hairdresser and she asked me “How did you get here?” I gave her this look like, uh…. “I drove”. The hairdresser said “no way!”
I politely tipped the hairdresser and left, went into my car, and drove by the hairdressers as they stood outside of their salon, both of their jaws open wide. I waved to them. If I had thought of it, I would have told them to stick cotton in their ears and see if they could drive.
Erick
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HANA: Erick,
I remember your hairdresser story. I watch your vlogs on DeafVideo.tv and found you on YouTube. I subscribe to your videos, too. I’m the one named ExodusAngel. I noticed one day that you had a web site listed on your YouTube account, so I went over and read about the hairdresser story. I loved the graphics you used in your personal stories, especially the pair of jaw-dropping hairdressers!!!
I also found your CafePress store and I like the sticker on deaf drivers. I’m thinking of buying one.
I have to say, from the description Anna provided, it would appear more likely for the accident to be due to issues with the sense of sight rather than the sense of hearing.
I’ve gone to many-a-car accident of varying severity on the job, from fender-bender to jotting down details of the dead body out in the open on the middle of a highway. I’ve yet to be told deafness or anything concerning not being able to hear something as a factor in an automobile accident.
Is it possible not being to hear can be a contributing factor in an accident in some way? I honestly don’t know, I’m not a traffic safety expert. (Sounds like a question for Sgt. Hauck, Hana!)