Driving in sunlight: how to avoid glare

Driving in summer is usually quite difficult. The heat is combined with the fairly intense presence of the sun. This element can cause quite serious glare, since the absence of clouds can make it shine more than usual and cause glare. Above all, in the morning and afternoon, when it is closer to the horizon and strikes at a right angle to the driver’s line of sight.

One of the most important safety items when driving in summer is sunglasses. This practical accessory is not only something to wear as a fashion item, but is essential for maintaining good visibility of the road. It keeps the sun’s rays from bothering you while driving and is very effective at preventing glare caused by the sun.

Sunglasses suitable for driving in summer

However, not all sunglasses offer the same protection, so you need to check what type of sunglasses you use and which are most suitable for driving. The DGT recommends their use, and ophthalmologists make several recommendations in this regard, especially regarding the type of sunglasses recommended for wearing behind the wheel in summer.

Apparently, according to vision professionals, the types of sunglasses most recommended for driving during summer are those that use polarised lenses with a level 3 solar filter. These block a large part of the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun and efficiently reduce the effect of the sun on vision.

However, they advise against glasses with level 4 polarised lenses, which are the most suitable for driving in snow or when skiing, since they dim colours too much and can cause loss of depth and detail in vision. Any pair of glasses with a level below 3 does not provide adequate protection against glare caused by the sun.

Other ways to avoid sun glare

But, in addition to

using suitable sunglasses

, there are other ways that help to reduce the impact of the sun on vision during summer. Let’s review other methods for avoiding glare during summer.

Using the car sun visor considerably reduces the impact of the sun on visibility. When it is lowered over the upper angle of vision, it leaves the view of the road clear, but it can be adjusted to block the sun and prevent it from bothering you. If the sun comes through the left window, it can be moved to that position and prevent side glare.

But be careful, because there are several things to keep in mind. First, it should only be used in very specific situations, since it considerably reduces visibility. Another is that the windscreen must be as clean as possible, since if it is dirty, it can reflect the sun and reduce visibility.

If you have to drive for many hours during the summer, you need to rest your eyes. Even if you do not notice it, the intensity of the sun makes your eyes tire more than usual. So it is advisable to make a few more stops than usual to rest your eyes. A few minutes away from the source of the sun may be enough to give your eyes a chance to relax.

And of course, you must adapt your vehicle’s speed to the visibility conditions. If the sun is in the driver’s face, visibility is considerably reduced and this can cause an accident. Driving in accordance with these circumstances increases safety and can prevent accidents.