Final answer:
Side vision is known as peripheral vision and is crucial for safe driving as it allows for greater lateral awareness, which is important for seeing objects outside the direct line of sight.
Step-by-step explanation:
Side vision is also described as peripheral vision and it is essential for safe driving. Peripheral vision allows individuals to see objects not directly in their line of sight, enhancing their ability to perceive their surroundings while driving. The eyes are positioned in such a way that they are parallel to each other but each lateral wall diverges from the midline at a 45° angle. This anatomic arrangement provides greater lateral peripheral vision. A condition like bilateral hemianopia, where there is a loss of lateral peripheral vision, highlights the importance of this field of view for activities like driving, where being aware of the environment to both sides of the vehicle is crucial.
The human visual system involves not just the eyes, but also the brain in allowing us to see. A growth on the pituitary gland that presses against the optic chiasm could lead to visual field deficits such as bilateral hemianopia, wherein a person cannot see objects to their right and left, further emphasizing the significance of intact peripheral vision for safety on the road.