Low sun: how to avoid glare on the road

The danger of glare from low sun

We have all been on the road on beautiful sunny days in winter. The scenery seems more beautiful and the temperature becomes pleasant in the cabin, but as soon as the sun drops, it becomes very annoying. Early in the morning and later in the afternoon, the blinding effect of a low sun is very noticeable. Whether you are driving at high speed on the motorway or moving slowly across a busy intersection, glare from low sun can come across as frightening. Unfortunately, we still see many accidents where road users are injured due to glare from the low-hanging sun.

The intense light can make you temporarily unable to see anything, making it difficult to notice other cars around you. This is made worse when the road is wet after rain and the sunlight reflects on the surface. It is hard to say how many car accidents are caused by glare each year, but according to the Automobile Association, more than 2,900 accidents take place each year in Britain alone due to this problem. Make sure you are not one of those statistics and hit the road well prepared with the help of the following tips.

Preventing glare from low sun: keep more distance

Perhaps an open door, but very effective. When visibility is poor, it is highly recommended to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. That way, you have extra time to react to sudden braking movements and other situations. You will also find that this makes driving much more relaxing!

It is important that you not only pay attention to your predecessor, but also to traffic behind you. This is because road users behind you can also be blinded by the low sun. Imagine having to stop at a traffic light. In such a case, it is wise to brake a little earlier to give other road users enough time to adapt to the situation. Indeed, brake lights can be difficult to see when there is bright backlight from low sun.

Wear sunglasses with polarised lenses

A good pair of sunglasses makes a world of difference when the sun is low. It keeps your eyes from constantly squeezing together and maintains good vision, even in tricky situations. Preferably choose sunglasses with polarised lenses. This makes bright glare from sunlight a thing of the past. This type of sunglasses have a special filter in the lens that blocks intense reflecting light. In addition, they colour along with the light and increase contrast. A must-have for safe and relaxed driving!

Keep your windscreen clean

We are all familiar with it: irritating spots or dust on sunglasses that obstruct vision. Dirty sunglasses are not pleasant and cause poor vision. The same goes for your vehicle's windscreen when the sun is low. If it is dirty, the dirt scatters light and makes it harder to perceive traffic while you are driving. Every speck of dirt, scratch or stain becomes clearly visible and hinders visibility. It is therefore important to clean the windscreen regularly.

To keep the outside of the windscreen clean, wiper fluid is more than enough. Just make sure you refill it regularly. However, what people often forget is to also clean the inside of the windscreen. Dust can accumulate on the inside from air heating, for example, which can obstruct your vision. Fortunately, this is a simple task that can be done quickly with glass cleaner and a dry cloth. This is particularly effective when the sun is low, but also when you are faced with bright lights from oncoming traffic!

Switch on the lighting

You’re not the only one affected by glare from the low sun. In bright backlight conditions, you’re often difficult to see by oncoming traffic or cars behind you. It’s precisely in situations like these that it’s good to help one another, so make sure you’re clearly visible. This makes things easier for other road users and helps prevent accidents. With TRALERT® LED vehicle lighting, you’re guaranteed to be clearly visible in all conditions. Browse the range of LED lighting to find out which lighting suits your vehicle. Where possible, use your dimming lights to avoid dazzling other road users; with bright sunlight or thick fog, the situation is already difficult enough.