Drivers – you’ve been wearing sunglasses all wrong! Motoring experts reveal the best type for autumn sun glare (and how the wrong tint could land you a hefty fine)
Autumn is a time of golden leaves and blackberry crumbles – and being dazzled while driving. Ironically, despite the days getting shorter, the issue of sun glare on the roads is acute during September, October, and November as the sun is lower in the sky – and Britons are being warned that wearing the wrong type of sunglasses in response could put them at risk of an accident, and a hefty fine.
It’s not a legal requirement to wear sunglasses in bright conditions, but motorists must take steps to ensure they are not dazzled and that they can see other cars clearly.
Jayne Orme, Associate Solicitor at Fletchers Group, notes that rule 92 of the Highway Code specifies that you ‘must be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 meters’, and Kris Buchanan, from Scullion Law, points out that Rule 237 of the Highway Code states that drivers need to slow down or pull over if they are ‘dazzled by bright sunlight’.
Sunglasses Types and Their Suitability for Driving
| Light transmission | Use | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| 80-100% (clear, category 0) | indoors/overcast | none |
| 43 to 80% (light tint, category 1) | low sunlight | not for night driving |
| 18-43% (medium tint, category 2) | medium sunlight | not for night driving |
| 8-18% (dark, category 3) | bright sunlight | not for night driving |
| 3-8% (very dark, category 4) | exceptionally bright sunlight | not for day or night driving |
Source: AA
According to Kris Buchanan, failing to react to bright sunlight while driving and getting involved in an accident could be considered “driving without due care and attention” by the police. This offense could result in a fixed penalty of three points and a £100 fine, or even a court appearance where the fine could be significantly higher. Therefore, it is advisable for drivers to wear sunglasses on a sunny day to mitigate this risk.
The Department of Transport’s figures show that an average of 653 road users are killed or seriously injured each year due to dazzling sun.
So, which types of sunglasses are best for sun glare?
The AA recommends sunglasses with “filter category two lenses” that transmit between 18 and 43 percent of light for daytime driving. Tinted lenses are graded based on their tint density, and by law, sunglasses should display their filter category number, ranging from “zero” to “four”. Filter category four lenses, which only transmit between three and eight percent of light, are unsuitable for driving at any time. Category one lenses are suitable for low sunlight conditions, while category three lenses are suitable for bright sunlight. However, categories one to three are not suitable for night driving.
Jayne Orme advises against pink, red, and blue-tinted lenses, as they can distort colors on traffic lights. When purchasing sunglasses, it is recommended to buy from a reputable supplier and look for brands that carry the CE, UV400, or British Standard Mark to ensure sufficient UV protection. Sunglasses with anti-reflection and hard coatings to prevent scratching of lenses are also recommended. Additionally, sunglasses with deep side arms should be avoided as they can obstruct peripheral vision, which is crucial for safe driving.
Despite the days getting shorter, the issue of sun glare on the roads is acute during September, October, and November as the sun is lower in the sky.
Source: Mail Online
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