Sunny days, temperatures locally reaching 20°C, crowded parks, and long lines at the local ice cream parlor – spring is clearly on its way! This is great news for sun lovers, but it also brings potential dangers on the road. Because the days are still short, the low sun can obstruct visibility while driving. Here are some tips to ensure you hit the road safely!
The danger of glare from low sun
We've all been on the road on beautiful sunny days in the winter. The landscape looks more beautiful, and the cabin temperature becomes pleasant, but as the sun sets, it becomes quite annoying. Early in the morning and later in the afternoon, the blinding effect of a low sun is quite noticeable. Whether you're driving at high speed on the highway or moving slowly through a busy intersection, glare from the low sun can be frightening. Unfortunately, we still see many accidents where road users get injured due to low sun glare.
The intense light can temporarily blind you, making it difficult to notice other cars around you. This gets even worse when the road is wet after rain, and the sunlight reflects off the surface. It's hard to say how many car accidents are caused by glare each year, but according to the Automobile Association, there are over 2,900 accidents annually in the UK alone due to this problem. Make sure you don't become part of those statistics and go well-prepared on the road with the help of the following tips.
Preventing glare from low sun: maintain more distance
Perhaps it's stating the obvious, but it's highly effective. When visibility is poor, it's strongly recommended to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. This way, you have extra time to react to sudden braking and other situations. You'll also find that this makes driving much more relaxed!
It's important not only to pay attention to the vehicle in front of you but also to the traffic behind you. 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's wise to brake a little earlier, so other road users have enough time to adjust to the situation. Brake lights can be challenging to see when there is strong backlight due to the low sun.
Wear sunglasses with polarized lenses
A good pair of sunglasses can make a world of difference when dealing with a low-hanging sun. It means you won't have to squint constantly, and you'll maintain good visibility even in challenging situations. Preferably, opt for sunglasses with polarized lenses. They make bright glare from the sunlight a thing of the past. This type of sunglasses has a special filter in the lens that can block intensely reflective light. Moreover, they adjust with the light and enhance contrast. A must-have for safe and relaxed driving!
Keep the windshield clean
We've all experienced it: annoying spots or dust on our sunglasses that obstruct our vision. A dirty pair of sunglasses is uncomfortable and leads to poor visibility. The same goes for your vehicle's windshield when dealing with a low sun. If it's dirty, the dirt scatters the light and makes it harder to perceive traffic while driving. Every speck, scratch, or blemish becomes clearly visible and impairs your vision. That's why it's important to clean your windshield regularly.
To keep the outside of the windshield clean, windshield washer fluid is more than sufficient. Just be sure to refill it regularly. However, what people often forget is to clean the inside of the glass. Dust can accumulate on the inside due to things like the air heating, 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 especially effective when dealing with a low sun, but also when faced with bright light from oncoming traffic!
Turn on the lights
You're not the only one struggling with glare from the low sun. In intense backlight, you are often hard to see by oncoming traffic or vehicles behind you. It's essential to help each other out in such situations, so make sure you are highly visible. By doing so, you make it easier for fellow road users and help prevent accidents. With TRALERT® LED vehicle lighting, you are guaranteed to be highly visible under all circumstances. Explore the range of LED lights to discover which lighting suits your vehicle. Use low beams where possible to avoid dazzling other road users; dealing with bright sunlight is challenging enough.
Finally, as wonderful as early spring weather can be, every advantage also has its disadvantages. With these tips, you can hit the road well-prepared for low sun and continue to enjoy the beautiful weather!
