Video: Driving With Sun Glare

Next Sunday, March 8, most Americans will “spring forward” and change their clocks and watches to Daylight Savings Time. While there are certainly benefits to having longer days, this shift may also increase driving risks associated with sun glare. 

Of course, sun glare is already a major problem in many areas right now because of the presence of highly reflective snow and ice. This hazard is especially pronounced just after sunrise and just before sunset.

Vision Council of America (VCA) offers the following tips for motorists to help reduce the dangers caused by sun glare: 

• Drive cautiously and leave a proper distance to ensure ample reaction time.    

• Make it a habit to lower visors to help block some of the reflected light.    

• Avoid using high-gloss vinyl cleansers on dashboards.    

• Keep the car windshield clean and the windshield washer fluid reservoir full.    

• When possible, take an alternate route lined with tress or tall buildings in lieu of one with extreme glare.    

• Turn on headlights to reduce the possible poor visibility of oncoming drivers.    

• Most importantly, wear sunglasses at all times when sun glare is a problem. Even more important is to wear sunglasses with polarized lenses to reduce glare, and lenses with UV protection to shield the eyes from damage.

To watch a video from Consumer Reports offering driver advice on dealing with sun glare, click on the photo or link below the headline. You may want to share these safety tips with fleet drivers as a friendly reminder.