According to the DGT, 5% of road accidents in Spain occur due to glare during twilight hours (dawn or dusk). Now that summer has arrived and there are more hours of daylight, the risk of road accidents has increased.
Therefore, wearing sunglasses is more than recommended, stresses DGT. Doing so while driving helps reduce eyestrain, the risk of glare and temporary blindness.
DGT urges drivers to wear polarised sunglasses with UV filter 3 as they filter 81-91% of UV rays. However, sunglasses with UV filter 4 should not be used as they let in less than 8% of UV light, which is not enough for safe driving.
More tips by the DGT on how to drive safely when the sun is too bright:
- Wear polarized sunglasses with greenish, grey or brown lenses.
- If you are blinded by the sun, maintain the vehicle’s path and slow down. Never slam on the brakes.
- If you drive with the sun in front of you and it dazzles you, stop the vehicle and wait 5 minutes for the sun to change direction.
- If you drive many hours in bright light or direct sunlight, reduce vehicle speed and make regular stops to rest your eyes.
- Turn on the low beams of your vehicle –if you do not have Daytime Running Lights (LCD)– so that whoever comes facing you, can see you better.
- Keep the front windscreen of the vehicle clean –and also the rear ones. Dirt increases the risk of glare and reduces the field of vision.
- Never drive with sunglasses at night or in dark areas or inside tunnels.
- Take care of your eyes. Visit your optician annually.
- Buy sunglasses at approved opticians and stores where they will recommend the best lenses for you and for any situation.
Photo credits @ EinsJonas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
