When the sun is rising or setting, it can create problems for drivers out on the road. A beautiful sunset or sunrise is a wonderful thing, but not when the glare is shooting through your front windshield. A study by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis studied car accidents based on sun glare and determined that many drivers will strike another vehicle when their vision is impaired by sun glare. 80 percent of these accidents have to do with the time of the day and the speed of the cars. On the highway or freeway, the danger of a sun glare accident is quite high, and head-on collisions are a serious threat on two lane interstates.
While there is no way to avoid the sunset or sunrise, there are practical ways that you can take precaution against blinding and debilitating sun glare. First of all, always make sure to keep your front windshield clear and clean. Pollen, water marks, dust, or debris can cover up your windshield and obstruct your vision. While it may not seem like a large problem when you get into your car to drive off, a dirty windshield can almost obstruct all visibility when the sun hits the windshield at certain angles.
Don't use high glossy or vinyl cleaners on your dashboard in order to eliminate the possibility of a sun glare reflections, and don't use streaky glass cleaners on your windshields. If you have water marks from rain drops or sprinklers on your car, try to wash the stains off at a local gas station or at your home. Keep the washing fluid in your car washer fluid reservoir plentiful, so that if you run into a sun glare you can wash off the dust particles or other elements that are making it even harder to see. Make sure that your windshield wipers are working properly to clean off your windshield, rather than smear liquid and complicate your view.
Do not add bumper stickers or reflective materials to the area above your dashboard, as this can create a harmful reflection. Also, most cars are equipped with sun shields just above the windshield. These can help a lot, especially when the sun is right at an eye level. Make it a habit to use these shields at sun rise and sunset. They also normally have a hinge which allows you to move the shield to your side window when the sun is coming through this way. If the sun is shining right in the eyes of people in oncoming traffic, then you should turn on your headlights to help them see your vehicle.
Another smart tip is to always have a pair of sunglasses handy. Purchase a pair of glasses with polarized lenses, and keep them in your car where they are easy to locate. Polarized glasses have been tested and the results show that they are able to eliminate 99 percent of all harmful glares. Make sure that your glasses have UV Ray protection, so that your eyes will not be harmed. Also, if you live in a snowy location, you will want to have these glasses handy for times when the sun is hitting the snow banks, and creating a bright, blinding reflection.
When you know that you are going to be driving in the sunrise or sunset and will be affected by sun glare, try to choose an alternate route. Roads that are lined with trees or guarded by hills will have less of a possibility of exposing cars to the harmful sun glare. You may also want to keep a wide-brimmed hat in your car and wear it when driving where a sun glare present. When possible, avoid driving during sun glare times, and if you need to, then make sure to take all the precautions necessary. This will help you to have a save drive and get where you're going without an accident.