It can happen to anyone. You’re driving along, on the way to work on a sunny September morning and BAM - you’re blind.
As fall hits, the sun starts to rise later and later, still creeping over the horizon while people are making their way to work. Some areas may be worse than others; while downtown buildings can block the sun, the open highway has little to no shields. It’s also a problem in the spring, when daylight saving time hits and we all get up and leave an hour earlier during sun rise.
It’s not just annoying, it’s dangerous. An Edmonton woman was killed in 2011 when an Edmonton Transit bus driver experienced sun glare and hit her in a crosswalk.
The AAA recommends the following tips for reducing glare from the sun:
-
polarized sunglasses, which can cut down the glare
-
use your sun visor (that’s what it’s for) to block out the sun and cut glare
-
keep your windshield clean and free of cracks and chips
-
leave more room in front of you, and use lane markings as a guide
-
if the glare is really bad, avoid driving during sunrise and sunset
