How To Deal With Sun Glare When Driving
A nice drive in the afternoon can take an unfortunate turn when the sun’s rays reflect directly into a driver’s eyes. While it’s sometimes unavoidable to drive on very sunny days, it can be risky to do so in instances where the sun’s angle creates an intense glare on a driver’s windshield. The glare from the sun can lead to temporary blindness, thereby making it almost impossible to see pedestrians and other vehicles around.
While there’s no data on the precise number of road crashes caused by sun glare, it is estimated that more than 2,000 road accidents occur on US roads each year as a result of drivers failing to take necessary precautions against sun glare.
What Causes Sun Glare?
Driving toward sunlight is simply unavoidable. A vehicle’s angle also determines the intensity of the glare and how much of the road the driver will be able to see when sunlight bounces directly across the windshield.
Sun glare often occurs during late afternoons and in the morning, in other words, when the sun appears low on the horizon. Storing glass-like reflective objects on a vehicle’s dashboard can also redirect sunlight from the windshield to a driver’s field of vision.
The Effects Of Sun Glare On A Driver’s Ability To See
Sun glare is basically bright sunlight directed at a driver’s field of vision, which can drastically affect their ability to see the road. As trivial as it might sound, sun glare can be pretty dangerous because it interferes with road perception, and its impact on one’s sight can take a while to dissipate, even if it occurs in an instant.
Other than peripheral impairment, the effects of sun glare can, at times, be psychological as it can cause anxiety, affecting both reaction time and decision-making.
Tips For Avoiding Sun Glare From Bright Sunlight
Driving toward the sun’s direction can be inconvenient and distracting, especially on traffic-congested roads and busy highways. By using the tips provided below, not only will you be able to see the road better when facing direct sunlight, but you’re also less likely to bump into over vehicles.
1. Leave Some Space Between Yourself And Other Vehicles
When driving in road conditions with reduced visibility, like in the afternoon or early in the morning, it’s essential to maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. This way, you’ll be able to react better if you’re hit by sun glare and the driver in front of you brakes abruptly.
2. Slow Down
One of the best ways to avoid a sun glare road collision is by driving at moderate speeds. Road conditions with poor visibility can limit a driver’s response time to a great extent. As such, it’s best to slow down a bit when the sun is shining to its fullest to avoid being involved in an accident.
3. Wear Polarized Sunglasses
Ensure to store a pair of polarized sunglasses in your vehicle, preferably in your glove compartment, so you can easily access them when driving on sunny days. Polarised sunglasses are designed with specialized filters in their lens, which helps in reducing sun glare.
4. Avoid Driving During Peak Glare Times
Since the sun is usually at its brightest during the busiest daily commute times of the day, that is, early in the morning and in the afternoon, many drivers face the risk of sun glare. If, however, you do not have any pressing engagement when the sun is rising, stay safe by waiting for a while until the sun has risen above the horizon before driving.
5. Keep Your Windshield Clean
Specs of dust on your windshield might not seem like a big deal, but a dirty windshield can become an issue, especially when driving during peak glare periods. To avoid causing a road incident, wipe your windshield regularly or at least before getting on the road.
6. Tint Your Windows
There are countless auto repair shops that do window tinting for a few hundred bucks. Once the tint is applied on the windshield of your vehicle, a significant percentage of sunlight will be restricted from entering your car regardless of what time of the day you choose to drive. Window tinting facilitates road safety as it helps reduce sun glare from the rising sun in the early morning and in the late afternoon.
7. Use Your Sun Visor
It’s hard to imagine that there’s a vehicle out there designed without a sun visor, perhaps a few centuries ago, but it’s doubtful that you’ll find one of such vehicles nowadays. Sun visors are very important for blocking sun glare when driving towards the sun’s direction. Don’t assume using your car’s sun visor will restrict your view of the road, as they’re specifically designed to block direct sunlight, not hinder road visibility.
Safe Driving Tips To Avoid Momentary Blindness During Peak Glare Times
Use the following safety methods when driving after sunrise and before sunset, especially when driving on routes surrounded by trees and tall buildings, which tend to cause squinting when light is reflected at drivers’ windows.
1. Turn On Your Headlights
Strange as it might sound, turning your headlights on when the sun is out will ensure that other drivers see your vehicle even if they have difficulty seeing the road ahead due to bright sunlight.
2. Drive Safely
Driving in highly sunny road conditions means you have to exercise a great deal of caution by keeping your eyes on the road at all times and making sure you don’t drive too close to vehicles around you, as those driving them also run the risk of being affected by sun glare.
3. Pull Over In A Safe Place
If you find the bright light from the sun particularly damaging to your vision when driving, make sure to pull over in a safe spot, then take a moment to regain your vision. It’s better to be a few minutes late than to be involved in an accident.
Final Words
You don’t have to be a seasoned driver to know that there’s practically no way to avoid driving directly toward the bright light of the sun. Since it’s unavoidable, you might as well do it safely by using the aforementioned tips.
