Risks when driving: bright or low sun

When the sun is low and bright, it can be very hard indeed to drive. This is because we may have to squint and the bright light can make it hard to pick out objects and to see, sometimes right in front of us.

When coming to a junction or roundabout with bright sun in the eyes there is a marked increase in the number of cars that go into the back of the car in front, perhaps thinking that they have gone around the roundabout when in fact they have not - this is due to the effect of the sun making it difficult to see and make out what is happening.

If there is sun affecting your ability to see properly, then you should use the visor to reduce glare. Also be sure not to look directly at the sun because the bright glare from this can temporary blind you which is extremely dangerous.

Many drivers find it useful to drive with sunglasses on in these conditions, and that can also be good to help you with concentration because driving with your eyes screwed up is tiring and can lead to it being hard to concentrate on the road too. Similarly conditions can occur, in terms of bright glare, when the roads are very wet and the sun then comes out; in these conditions try to slow down.

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