Advice for Driving in Low Sun
Driving in Autumn and Winter often means that the sun is starting to rise or set at peak commuting times, blinding drivers as they navigate in already hazardous road conditions.
Being distracted or blinded by the sun can be a serious issue for many road users. According to a study by the Department of Transport, 3,900 people are injured in incidents involving low, dazzling sun each year.
Which is why it is important to do everything that we can to drive safely under these conditions.
The following are some tips to help to make your journeys safer and easier:
- Drive Slowly
If the light is affecting your ability to see clearly, you should slow down. Leaving double the room between you and the car in front can give you extra time to adjust to sudden stops.
If you are genuinely struggling to see anything at all, you should pull over in a safe spot until the sun moves out of your line of sight.
Failure to have proper control of the vehicle or full view of the road and traffic could result in a £1000 fine and 3 points on their license.
- Keep a pair of sunglasses in your car
Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your car just in case. They’re handy for when you’re driving on a tree-lined road. You should also have a thorough eye examination at least every two years to find out if you need prescription lenses for your sunglasses.
If you don’t have your vision corrected and protected from the sun, it could invalidate your car insurance if you are involved in a car accident.
- Use your lights
When driving before sunset and after sunrise, always switch on your headlights so other drivers can more easily see you. The stark contrast in lighting levels can make it harder to spot other vehicles, so you should keep this in mind.
- Dip your mirror
Don’t get dazzled by the sun when its coming into your car from the rear window. Dip your rear-view mirror and check over your shoulder to see your blind spot.
- Keep your windshield clean
Keep both the inside and outside of your window clean as any marks will be highlighted by the glare and could lead to an obstruction of your view. During the colder months, you may find that your windscreen picks up a lot more debris and dirt.
Keeping your cars washer fluid topped up can help keep the windscreen a lot cleaner while driving. You should also check your wiper blades for signs of wear and tear, and replace them if necessary.
- Use your sun visor
Visors are designed to block out the sun without hindering your field of vision. Visors can also reduce the amount of light that enters your field of vision, helping your eyes to adjust better when you drive in patches of shade.
Therefore, you should consider using your visor even if the sun isn’t directly in your eyes. If it is particularly sunny and you’ve got passengers in the back you may want to invest in some additional sunshades.
- Get tinted windows
Tinting your windows helps to reduce excess heat and glare from the sun by reflecting the rays away from the interior of the car.
- Keep a windscreen scraper
Keep a windscreen scraper handy in your car for frosty mornings. You should have full, unobstructed view out of your windscreen before starting out on your journey.
Useful links:
To find out more about our fuel cards click here – https://www.cambriancards.com/fuel-cards
To learn more about our telematics devices click here – https://www.cambriancards.com/telematics
