As the daylight hours continue to get longer, most drivers are glad to put the trials of winter behind them – but even as the ice and snow let up, drivers have to contend with a new issue: sun glare.
According to the National Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA), sun glare either causes or contributes to around 9,000 wrecks a year – which makes it a significant problem when you’re out there on the roads. So, how do you combat the problem? Here are some tips:
1. Use polarized sunglasses
Invest in high-quality polarized sunglasses designed specifically for driving. Polarized lenses help reduce glare and improve visibility by blocking horizontal light waves.
2. Get an extendable sun visor
Extendable sun visors or sun visor extenders can provide additional shade, helping to block the sun’s rays from directly entering your field of vision. These can be especially helpful if you’re on the short side and your regular visor isn’t enough.
3. Keep Your Windshield Clean:
A clean windshield is essential for good visibility. Regularly clean the inside and outside surfaces of your windshield to remove dirt, smudges, and other obstructions that can intensify glare.
4. Set your rearview mirrors to “night” mode
Many modern vehicles come equipped with rearview mirrors that have a night mode. This feature reduces glare from headlights and can also be effective against sun glare.
5. Keep your headlight on
This might sound counterintuitive, but turning on your headlights during the daytime can make your vehicle more visible to others on the road.
6. Choose your route carefully
Whenever possible, plan your routes to avoid driving directly into the sun. While that may not always be possible (especially if you’re unlucky enough to be headed east on your morning commute), careful planning can help you minimize how often the sun is in your eyes.
When a wreck happens on a bright, sunny day, it’s entirely possible that sun glare is a contributing factor – but you can still hold a negligent driver responsible for their actions.