SUN GLARE: TIPS FOR DRIVING WHEN THE SUN IS BLINDING

November 22, 2017

Everyone knows that driving in heavy snow or rain can be hazardous, but few realize the number of accidents caused by blinding sun glare. Thousands of drivers encounter it every day when driving to or from work while headed in the direction of the sun. So what can you do to enhance your visibility and safety when dealing with “veiling glare”? Check out these recommended tips!

When driving, sun blindness can occur just about any day of the year here in Arizona, so make sure you’re prepared by following these guidelines:

Don’t use vinyl cleaner on your dashboard. It may give the dash an attractive high-gloss look, but it will also amplify glare, causing the dash to reflect more in your windshield.

Get sunglasses with polarized lenses. A typical set of sunglasses will cause you to squint and strain your eyes, but with polarized lenses you can finally say goodbye to lens glare. Also, if you wear prescription glasses, consider investing in anti-glare lenses.

Clean the INSIDE and outside of your windshield. Glare on windshields is magnified by the presence of dirt and dust, which scatters light rays all around, causing more glare than you’d encounter with a clean glass surface.

If you have a sunroof or convertible, wear a ball cap or a hat with a large brim. This will protect your eyes from sunlight that’s beaming down above your head. Darker colored hats are best, as lighter ones can potentially reflect light back toward your eyes.

When purchasing a car, consider one with a dark-colored dashboard and interior if you want your cabin to reflect less in the windshield.

Use your sun visor to try and block out the brightest area of light. Just ensure that you keep an eye on traffic lights, which can sometimes be blocked depending on the angle of the visor.

Change your route to drive on more roads that aren’t sun-facing. Otherwise, if you can’t go in any other direction, keep a decent amount of space between you and the cars ahead.

If it gets really bright for a moment, try to keep an eye on the street road markers right in front of your car.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »