When talking about winter driving safety, the usual emphasis tends to be placed on battling the treacherous conditions like icy roads, snow or fog. What's interesting is that nobody really ever tends to discuss how serious the winter sun can be. Visibility is a huge factor in safe driving for a very simple reason: what you can see, you can try to react to. When our visibility becomes impaired while driving, this is where the possibility of accidents increase threefold.
Sun Blindness
During Winter, and the Autumn cooler months, the sun sits at a lower point in the sky, compared to Summer where it's much higher. As a result, the the sun is in your direct field of vision for longer and the impact that this has on you, the motorist, can be harsh. The suns rays can feel much stronger on the eyes and can cause a sudden and severe problem that drivers must deal with - sun blindness. This is when the sun's glare is suddenly so overwhelming that it makes it hard to see anything else. It's for sure, difficult to see the road if you can barely keep your eyes open.
We've come up with list of key things that will help you from becoming overwhelmed by sun blindness.
Rely On The Road Markings
When you're hit with a sun glare to the eyes, immediately divert your eyes a little lower and rely on road markings to navigate your path securely and to stay aligned with the road. Just don't direct your eyes too low - you still want to be able ot see any cars or pedestrians in front. If it's so bad that you can't see at all, you need to come to a safe stop. Relying on road markings can be extremely useful also in a fog patch or in heavy rainfall, where visibility is greatly reduced.
Dig Out The Ray Bans
Not just for looking cool! Keep a pair of sunglasses readily available inside the car, ideally ones with polarized lenses, as these are known to significantly reduce glare compared to standard sunglasses. This will be your first natural reaction to a blast of sun in the eyes when you're cruising along, so keep your shades somewhere accessible.
Use The Sun Visor
Make good use of the car's sun visor as an intended shield against glare, adjusting it to block the sun's rays effectively. Just don't let it completely obstruct your vision - replacing one visual blockage with another is definitely not a safer option.
Clear The Windscreen
Prioritize the immaculate cleanliness of your windscreen both inside and out. Even the slightest bit of dirt or grime on the surface scatters light, amplifying the glare. The sun can highlight scratches and when the sun hits, it can make things even harder to see. Clean your windscreen with a passion throughout winter especially, and even give it a little top up wipe before setting off on a drive. MicksGarage.com stock a huge range of glass care and polish products to help keep you crystal clear.
Screenwash
Ensure your washer bottle is consistently topped up with a solution capable of easily clearing off dirt, bugs, and gritty residues that might accumulate on the windscreen. Use it frequently and keep your field of vision clear.
Clear The Dashboard
Keeping a clean, clear dashboard helps because nothing unnecessary will reflect back onto the windscreen and become amplified by the glare. When clearning the dashboard, steer clear of high-gloss finish cleaning products as these might exacerbate reflections, adding to glare smearing issues. Go for matt finish products instead.
Move Steady, Move Slow
While adhering to speed limits is always essential, it becomes particularly critical when driving in low sunlight. Diminished visibility of brake lights from vehicles ahead means you should maintain a generous distance. Follow the 2 second rule at a minimum to ensure safe braking distances. If you drop your speed moderately while driving in the winter sun, your chance of a "close call" or even an accident are greately reduced. Additionally, avoid any sudden stops in the road when you're hit with sun blindness, keeping your cool and using the road markings to guide you while you get your bearings are safer for cars behind than sudden stops.
Give Yourself Extra Time
Plan your journeys with an allowance for extra travel time. This approach minimizes the pressure to rush, promoting a more relaxed driving experience and ensuring you arrive at your destination safely and without unnecessary haste.
The most important thing when you get hit with a sun shock to the eyes, is to not over-react - e.g. unnecessary swerving or harsh braking. Divert your eyes to a position where you can have improved visibilty and rely on road markings for road positioning guidance, and maintain sight of any cars or pedestrians in front of you. Reduce your speed and take things slow.
