We all have faced this difficulty quite a number of times, when we had to drive a beautiful sunny day in the early afternoon, facing the sun. Besides the enjoyment it can provide through stunning sceneries, the same sunlight can bring some hazards, particularly if the driver’s gaze gets disrupted by this natural glare, not to say about the discomfort it creates for the front passenger.
The Common Scenario
Just after the sunrise and an hour before sunset the sun takes a position that shines directly into the eyes of the drivers, especially if you are driving on highways or open ways, where there is nothing to obstruct the sunrays, leaving the motorists drive with the challenge to fight with the glare. This makes it much harder for the driver to see the road lying ahead and all the potential hazards it brings with it. though apparently this natural phenomenon has no intention to harm us, a split-second wrong decision because of this sun glare can lead to serious accidents and unpleasant consequences.
So, here we have collected few useful tips from the Riverside Mazda on how to drive safely while facing the sun.
Slow Down
Whenever the sun is directly attacking your eyes, if you are the one who is driving, the first thing you should do is, slow down. The impact of an accident rises up, when two or more vehicles collide at a high speed. If your car has already slowed down, in case of an unavoidable crash, the impact on the driver and the passengers would be lesser.
Precaution for School Zones
The worst possible accidents that take place because of the glaring sun, is on the small kids, who become almost invisible, when the sun is casting its glaring spell on the driver’s eyes. To keep those little ones safe, the drivers should take extra caution while driving through school zones. They should invariably slow down their vehicle and keep driving in the same speed, till they cross such areas.
Use Polarized Sunglasses and Sun Visors
Invest in a pair of polarized sunglasses and keep them handy, so that they can help reduce the glare, when it is required. Do not delay in using your sun visors. These small accessories would help at great length to block out the sun.
Leave More Following Space
If you are facing trouble while driving towards the sun, it would be the same for all the fellow drivers on the same route. This is why you should allow more following space between your car and the car that is running in front of you. This is to ensure a first level of safety, in case the front car suddenly stop to avoid a collision.
Check Your Windshield
At the Mazda Riverside they said, that the windshield of a car is highly responsible for the visibility and driving safety. Any dirt or pitting would reduce the visibility while even minor cracks can reflect more sunlight to your eyes. So, check out your windshield before you set out to drive in a sunny afternoon.