Autumn is a time of golden leaves and blackberry crumbs – and driving glare.
Ironically, despite the days getting shorter, the problem of sun glare on the roads is acute in September, October and November as the sun is lower in the sky – and Britons are being warned that wearing the wrong type of sunglasses can put them at risk of an accident, and a hefty fine.
It is not a legal requirement to wear sunglasses in clear weather, but Jayne Orme, Associate Solicitor at Fletcher’s Groupnotes that Rule 92 of the Highway Code specifies that “in good daylight you must be able to read a vehicle number plate from a distance of 20 meters,” and Kris Buchanan, of Scullion lawPoints out that Section 237 of the highway code states that drivers must slow down or stop if they ‘blinded by bright sunlight‘.
Autumn is a time of golden leaves and blackberry crumbs – and driving glare
He explains: ‘This means that if a driver fails to respond to bright sunlight in a timely manner and is involved in an accident, it could be considered ‘careless driving’ by the police, for which a driver was either offered a fixed penalty of three points and a £100 fine, or even taken to court (where the fine could be significantly increased). So it seems sensible for motorists to wear sunglasses on a sunny day.’
According to figures from the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, an average of 653 road users die or are seriously injured by the blinding sun every year.
So which types of sunglasses are best against sun glare?
According to the AAFor daytime driving, sunglasses with ‘filter category two lenses’, which allow ‘between 18 and 43 percent of the light to pass through’, are recommended.
Tinted lenses, the automotive organization explains, are rated by their tint density, and sunglasses are required by law to display their filter category number, which is between “zero” and “four.”
The AA says: ‘Filter category four lenses only allow between three and eight percent light and are not suitable for driving at any time.’
Category one lenses are suitable for low sunlight conditions, and category three for bright sunlight.
Categories one through three are not suitable for night driving at all.
Ms Orme adds: ‘Polarised lenses usually have a fixed tint and are specially designed to reduce glare – particularly effective in light shining on wet roads.
‘Pink, red and blue shades are best avoided as they can distort the colors on traffic lights.
‘It’s always a wise idea to buy your sunglasses from a reputable supplier, where sunglasses must be CE, UV400 or British Standard certified to ensure they provide adequate UV protection.
‘Sunglasses with an anti-reflective coating and a hard coating to prevent scratches on your lenses are also recommended. It’s best to avoid sunglasses with deep side temples as they can interfere with your peripheral vision, which is essential for safe driving.’
Despite the days getting shorter, the problem of sun glare on the roads is acute in September, October and November because the sun is lower in the sky