Driving under a clear, sunny sky can be an enjoyable experience, but it’s not without its challenges. We’ve all encountered the discomfort and distraction of the sun blinding us as we drive. Sun glare can create a severe hazard on the road, making it difficult to see the road and other vehicles and potential dangers, leading to an increased risk of accidents. This article will explore what causes sun glare and why it’s so hazardous. We will also provide essential tips to help you reduce its impact and help prevent car accidents.
What Causes Sun Glare and When Does it Occur?
Sun glare occurs when sunlight hits your windshield at certain angles, creating intense brightness and reflections. It’s most common during sunrise and sunset when the sun is low on the horizon, but it can also happen during the day when the sun is high in the sky and reflects off of objects like windshields or signage.
This phenomenon is caused by the angle at which sunlight enters your windshield, and various factors, including a dirty windshield, a hazy atmosphere, or snow or water on the road, can exacerbate it.
Why is Sun Glare So Hazardous?
Sun glare is more than just a nuisance. It poses serious risks to road safety, increasing the likelihood of a life-threatening crash by an estimated 16%. Here are some reasons why sun glare is hazardous:
- Diminished Visibility: Sun glare can significantly decrease visibility, making it challenging to see the road ahead, traffic signals, and other vehicles.
- Impaired Judgment: Glaring sunlight can impair your judgment, making it difficult to assess distances and the speed of other vehicles accurately.
- Elevated Risk of Accidents: Diminished visibility and impaired judgment can lead to an elevated risk of accidents, including rear-end collisions and pedestrian accidents.
Now that we understand the hazards of sun glare, let’s explore some tips to help you reduce its impact on driving safety.
Strategies for Mitigating the Effects of Sun Glare
- Utilize your Sun Visor
Your vehicle’s sun visor is your first defence against sun glare. Lower it to block direct sunlight and adjust it to keep the glare out of your eyes. - Keep Polarized Sunglasses Handy
Invest in a quality pair of polarized sunglasses. These sunglasses are designed to reduce glare and enhance visibility by filtering out horizontal light waves. Keep them within easy reach while driving to avoid adding the distraction of reaching into far corners of your vehicle or rummaging through your glove box. - Keep Your Windshield Clean Inside and Out
A clean windshield is essential for minimizing glare. Ensure that your windshield’s interior and exterior are free from dirt, smudges, and streaks. - Maintain Your Windshield
Promptly repair any chips, cracks, or pitting on your windshield. Not only is it illegal to drive with a crack across your windshield, but a damaged windshield can refract sunlight and create distracting visual distortions. - Keep Your Dash Clear
Avoid placing objects on your dashboard that could reflect sunlight into your eyes. Even small items can create glare under the right conditions, exacerbating the situation. - Slow Down
Reduce your speed when driving into bright sunlight. If you can’t see the road correctly, slower speeds will give you more time to react to unexpected obstacles or changes in traffic conditions. - 7. Increase Your Following Distance
- Increase your following distance to at least 4 or 5 seconds. This provides extra time to react if the car ahead suddenly brakes or encounters an obstacle due to reduced visibility. A few additional seconds can distinguish between a safe stop and a deadly rear-end collision.
- Use an Alternate Route
Choose routes that minimize exposure to the sun during peak glare times, such as avoiding east-facing routes in the early morning or west-facing routes in the late afternoon. - Follow Road Markers
Like driving into bright headlights at night, if sun glare affects your ability to see the road, following road markers can be a helpful trick to staying in your lane. When visibility is poor, the lane markers and reflective paints will help guide your path forward. - Avoid the Worst Times or Pull Over if Necessary
Consider avoiding driving during times when sun glare is most intense. If you drive in blinding sunlight and it becomes unsafe, don’t hesitate to pull over safely and wait until conditions improve.
Get Legal Help After a Car Accident
Despite taking the above precautions, accidents can still happen due to sun glare. Drivers have a responsibility to keep the road safe for other road users. Part of this duty is adjusting your driving behaviour to fit the current road conditions, including sun glare.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident caused by reduced visibility, it’s crucial to seek legal assistance immediately. The experienced car accident attorneys at Lawyer For Car Accident can help you navigate the complexities of insurance claims and ensure you receive compensation after an accident.
We offer free initial consultations, so you have nothing to lose if you need help filing your insurance claims or if you think you can pursue a tort claim against another party. Contact us to schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys and start taking the steps toward getting the compensation you deserve.