A sweeter summer drive

No matter which part of the country you’re in, the sun is piercing at this time of year and this can make driving at peak times very uncomfortable. Most of us are stuck on the roads during sunrise and sunset, to and from work and know all too well about the glaring sun causing all kinds of discomfort and difficulty while driving. Here are some ways you can reduce the sun’s glare and heat to make driving during the summer a little easier.

Invest in a good pair of sunglasses that will significantly reduce glare without shading out colours completely. You still need to be able to see traffic signs, signals and details around you. If you wear glasses you should consider getting transition lenses that shade themselves darker in direct light. This is a costly solution so you should compare the cost of tested sunglasses with the cost of transition lenses.

Nobody wants to wear extra clothing on a scorching hot day, but sun sleeves are usually light and comfortable to wear. Alternatively, wear a light coloured, or white cotton sleeved shirt that will protect your arms from the direct heat of the sun while driving. Remember lighter colours deflect light and heat while darker colours absorb them.

Every car should have a built in sun visor to block the sun from your direct line of sight. Tilt the visor far enough that it blocks out the sun but not too much of your vision. You should still be able to see overhead traffic signals.

Tinting your car windows could be costly. As a cheaper alternative, most car accessory shops and even some baby stores sell peal-and-stick window tint. This isn’t a permanent solution but it will serve its purpose through the summer and it’s cheap enough to get rid of when you don’t need it anymore.

Cleaning the windscreen is one of the most important things you can do to reduce glare. Dirt and grime on the glass will cause the suns rays to cover more of your windscreen and make it more difficult for you to see. Clean both inside and outside the glass properly to drastically reduce the glare.

We hope this helps. If the sun is too bright, safely stop somewhere until you have good visibility and remember to always keep a safe following distance.