KU-EHS April Safety Tip: Driving Safely with Sun Glare

Peak sun glare season occurs when sunrise or sunset and rush hour coincide, and the sun hangs like a bright ball on the highway. It’s especially blinding when driving east in the morning and west in the afternoon. Peak sun glare season occurs when sunrise or sunset and rush hour coincide, and the sun hangs like a bright ball on the highway. It’s especially blinding when driving east in the morning and west in the afternoon.

Experts have analyzed large amounts of data to understand what causes accidents. Commonly known factors include driver awareness, driver behavior, inclement weather and road conditions. Another significant factor is sun glare.

According to one study on the influence of sun glare on driving safety, sun glare can be so intense that drivers cannot clearly see or react to traffic signals, sudden changes in road activity or dangerous conditions.

This loss of awareness increases the danger to drivers, pedestrians and other property on a jobsite, which can have a high mix of pedestrians and vehicles operating close together in confined areas.

Windows and glass on the side of buildings can cause the sun’s reflection to create a blinding glare, limiting a driver’s ability to see. When drivers go around a road curve or turn at an intersection, the position of the sun relative to them changes and increases the chance of glare from multiple angles.

This creates more risk because drivers have to look in at least two directions instead of focusing only on what’s in front of them. That splitting of attention makes it easier to miss something—or someone.

Blinding glare, or the distraction of ducking and flipping the vehicle’s sun visor to block it, creates an even higher chance of an accident. This is how sun glare can cause pedestrians to be struck by drivers who simply don’t see them.

There are over 9,000 vehicle accidents related to sun glare each year in the U.S., and the National Library of Medicine says that the risk of that accident being life-threatening is 16% higher with bright sunlight than it is in normal weather conditions.

In addition to sun glare and weather conditions, the condition of a vehicle’s windshield contributes to visibility during sun glare season (and beyond). Dirt, cracks and condensation scatter light and can turn the windshield into a kaleidoscope of chaos.

Investing a few minutes in preventative maintenance can help to minimize these issues. Here are some solutions to consider:

• Keep the windshield clean, both inside and out.
• Check that windshield wipers are working properly and undergo regular maintenance.
• Keep washer fluid full for a quick-cleaning option while on the road.
• Take the vehicle to a local repair shop or seek out appropriate products to DIY any cracks in the windshield. Don’t enable more damage by ignoring the problem.
• Run the defroster to equalize the temperature and simultaneously eliminate any interior fog or condensation.
• Swap those expensive vinyl cleaners, which can leave a glossy finish, for vinegar. It slows buildup without residue or an over-the-top shine.

Here are some good reminders for dealing with sun glare:

• Stay alert to pedestrians at all times, regardless of the time of day or season.
• Use extra caution in adverse weather conditions and low-light situations.
• Be extra careful when approaching crosswalks and rotaries, especially during sun glare season. Slow down and always yield to pedestrians.
• Adhere to speed limits in school zones, densely populated job sites and areas with heavy pedestrian activity.
• Before reversing, survey the entire area around your vehicle to avoid accidents. Nearly half a million accidents occur annually due to vehicles reversing without proper checks.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and/or a state of extreme tiredness.