BOSTON -- Where do you focus your eyes when you’re driving?

Many, if not most people focus on the road only five or eight seconds ahead. The problem here is that this doesn’t give you a great view of the road, nor does it give you enough information to respond to conditions ahead. Instead, you should be focused 15-20 seconds ahead, even farther if possible.

The farther ahead you look, the better chance you will have to recognize and avoid events before they become problems. If you are aware of construction, congestion or crashes, you will be prepared. You will be able to plan, rather than react. You are much more likely to get into or cause a crash if you have a shorter reaction time.

Look Everywhere

It’s also very important to make sure you are aware of everything around you. It should be basic practice that you adjust your mirrors correctly every time you get in the car.

I think most people do that. But it’s very important that you use them as effectively and proactively as possible. This means being aware of everything around you at all times, not just when you're making a lane change or turning. As you drive you should be sporadically checking all of your mirrors.

Not only should you be looking ahead and behind, but you should be looking to each side as well. This will give you a better chance of seeing hazards on the side of the road such as children playing, parking vehicles, and pedestrians.

Don’t Stare

Keep your eyes moving and try not to concentrate on anything for more than a moment. Your peripheral vision may be good, but it’s not as good as your focused field of view. Rather than rely on your peripheral vision you should keep your eyes moving to different things as you drive.

Your focused field of vision is actually quite limited; 100 feet ahead your focused field is about 5 feet wide. Everything outside of that area is in your peripheral field of view, which doesn’t provide enough information. Your peripheral vision often becomes weaker as you age, so it shouldn’t be trusted.

Your Peripheral Vision Is A Very Important Early Warning System.

Peripheral vision is best at picking up movement. When you focus on one area for too long, you start to develop "tunnel vision." When you get "tunnel vision," it begins to inhibit the ability of your peripheral vision to pick up moving objects. This is another reason why it's important to keep your eyes moving, as it improves your peripheral vision.