Driving with Sun Glare: Tips To Stay Safe

Whilst a little sunlight doesn’t seem like anything to be too overly cautious about, several studies report that stray light can have a negative impact on driver perception. On a beautiful bright day, many of us are persuaded into taking the longer scenic routes. After all, who doesn’t want to appreciate mother nature? Yet whilst driving with brightly illuminated roads, you can “drive” into problems with clearly being able to see. There are numerous ways your visibility can decrease whilst driving. However, obstructed vision caused by the bright light of a setting or rising sun is the prime time for car accidents, and unsurprisingly one of the most problematic and anxiety-inducing driving situations Australians regularly face on our roads. As our eyes are highly sensitive to light, the glare of bright sunlight can impact our ability to judge distances, see pedestrians and remain centred in your lane. While it may only cause momentary blindness when turning a corner, or reaching the peak of a hill, it only requires a flash second for an accident to occur. As the windscreen experts, Novus Autoglass understands unobstructed vision is essential for safe driving. As our driving ability and decisions are reliant on the quality of our vision, the team at Novus has prepared a guide on how to respond to and navigate this potentially dangerous situation.

How Can I Reduce Windscreen Glare?

Utilise Your Visor

It seems rather self-explanatory, but hear us out. Using your visor as your first line of defence against sun glare is one of the easiest and quickest safety responses you can take. It only takes a couple of seconds to flip down your visor, and it can significantly help reduce the effect of the sun’s glare on your driving capabilities. For optimal results, remember to push the visor against the windscreen as high as possible so it can block the sun’s rays without interfering with your view of traffic lights. Sometimes factory-installed visors don’t make the cut. If you find your vehicle’s visor isn’t providing enough windscreen glare protection, you can purchase a more adjustable visor that is an upgrade on most standard visors.

Have Polarised Sunglasses on Hand:

Our second most readily available anti-glare solution is to wear your sunglasses! It’s a no-brainer. But how many of you have forgotten your glasses whilst driving? We feel confident to bet it’s a common occurrence. To prevent this from happening, we suggest keeping a spare pair of sunglasses in your car. This also goes for drivers who benefit from prescription glasses for nighttime driving. When you have a specific pair that resides (permanently) in your car, you’ll never be short of increased eye protection. Remember, not all sunglasses are made equal. You’ve probably seen polarised sunglasses marketed before. These are the models you want to opt to purchase, as they’re more effective in blocking sunshine while still letting you see clearly.

Tint Your Windscreen

Sometimes even wearing sunglasses and installing a more adequate visor may not be enough to reduce sun glare. This is where you’ll want to consider a windscreen tinting consultation with Novus Autoglass as a solution. We know what you’re thinking. It seems counterproductive to darken your windows to be able to see better. Yet, we assure you tinting glass does an incredible job at protecting your eyes. Less squinting and sore eyes- Hurrah! To set the record straight, we want to clarify that a session of window tinting isn’t going to completely eliminate the problem of sun glare, but it readily decreases it. If you’re wanting improved visibility, tinting your windows can help you feel more relaxed whilst driving in peak sun glare times.

Why Should You Choose NOVUS® Auto Glass for Window Tinting?

As the windscreen experts, Novus Autoglass technicians are highly qualified and experienced in all things windscreen related, including tinting. What makes Novus renowned for their windscreen services include:

1. We go straight to your location so you can pick the best time for you
2. We use top-quality window film
3. Our film is guaranteed not to bubble or peel
4. One-piece back windows on all cars
5. We offer unbeatable prices
6. We pay superior attention to detail
7. There is 100% customer satisfaction

Besides reducing sun glare, tinting your windows can provide you with added privacy, an enhanced look, a cooler, more comfortable vehicle and a reduced interior.

Take an Alternate (Less Sunny) Route

We know it may not be the visually appealing route home. But since we aren’t capable of changing the position of the sun, choosing to drive home using less sunny routes is one of the simpler solutions in tackling peak hour sun glare. It can be difficult to divert from our usual journey home, so this will require some behavioural changes and consistency. But if you know of an alternative route home that has decreased sun glare, prevention is the best solution. A good tip to remember is routes that run north or south prevent you from driving directly with the sun facing you. Also taking urban routes that are surrounded by tall buildings or trees if you have to drive in rural areas, can both help to block and reduce heavy sunlight. If neither of these is possible, adjusting your schedule to avoid driving an hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise when glare is typically at its peak, is another straightforward solution. Albeit we understand this may not be a convenient option for everyone, but where you can be pickier on the times you drive, we suggest avoiding those peak sun glare hours.

Create Distance Between Other Cars

We all know the two-second rule. If you need refreshing, all drivers should leave two seconds in between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. For heavy vehicles, you should allow at least 4 seconds. When driving with sun glare, this is an increasingly important rule to adhere to. Australians are notorious for tailgating accidents. An astonishing one in three accidents is caused by tailgating! So even with no sun glare present, we advocate driving by this rule, and teaching it to your children and reminding the driver of your car if you notice them getting too close to the vehicles in front. If you’re already driving to this rule, remember the cars around you may not be. If you’re struggling to see, there are also high chances other road users won’t be able to either, so it’s important to stay extra vigilant for sudden braking and whether you’re being tailgated by other drivers. If you find yourself in the uncomfortable situation of being tailgated, Novus has a comprehensive list on how to safely manoeuvre tailgating hazards.

Slow Down

Similarly to creating distance between you and the vehicle ahead, slowing down is another easy and necessary solution in ensuring safety during driving with sun glare. If your visibility is decreased, you’re unable to make sound decisions when you should brake and slow down. If you’re wondering what the ideal speed to slow down is, the rule of thumb is to drive to the speed you would during heavy rain.

If you’re tired of sun glare interrupting your visibility and driving ability and want a more permanent solution for your vehicle, consider window tinting with Novus Autoglass. As the experts in windscreen repair, we have all your windscreen requirements covered. If you suspect a cracked or damaged windscreen, call a professional like Novus Autoglass today. We provide prompt, professional and technical advice and services to ensure your safety and visibility. Contact Novus Autoglass today on 13 22 34 to book a service.