Are deaf people legally aloud to drive?

Hearing is a major sense on the road, for sirens and horns and whatnot, but with the great job the National Association for the Deaf has done fighting for deaf rights, it would make me think not allowing the deaf to drive would be discrimination. Which one wins in the place, rights or the extra measure of safety?

Growing up with deaf parents, hearing people often asked me if my parents could drive. I always thought it was a stupid question... but it does make sense that safety is a concern. A lot of people are just not educated about deaf people.

You might expect a deaf person to be more at risk behind the wheel because they cannot hear things that might alert them to potential danger. The remaining senses of deaf people actually become more sensitive than those of the average hearing person - specifically peripheral vision... they're more "in tune" to what's going on in the environment around them.

I actually once read somewhere that auto insurance industry figures over the past few decades have consistently shown that deaf drivers have fewer accidents than hearing drivers on a per capita basis.

So maybe the better question is... should hearing people drive legally? With cell phone usage, etc., their ability to hear seems to be more of a distraction for them.

Absolutely.

The Hearing Impaired are actually very good drivers.

You think you hear while you blare your music and talk on your cell phone.

The Hearing Impaired know they can't hear, so they pay more attention to compensate.

yes,idiots that are doing everything but paying attention are allowed to drive. at least the deaf have a reason

Deaf people are absolutely allowed to drive. Since they can't hear, their sense of sight is a lot better than hearing people. I think their sight more than makes up for not being able to hear on the road.

Of course. In fact, I heard that they have better driving records than hearing people. It is -not- more dangerous having a deaf person driving. I'm way more nervous driving with an old crone who can hear. As for sirens... deaf people aren't blind. When the cars move aside for emergency people to drive by, deaf people would be like "why are they moving?" and look around then they'll know why and do the same thing. During the night, sirens are bright and deaf people will definitely notice it.