How to Drive in Bright Sunlight
Keep your windscreen clean and use polarised sunglasses or your visor to cut glare and help you stay focused on the road ahead.
Key points:
Plan ahead and where possible avoid driving when sun glare is strongest.
Simple steps, such as keeping your windscreen clean and wearing suitable eyewear.
Adjust your driving to changing light conditions to help stay confident and in control.
Staying aware of other road users can help keep everyone safer in bright conditions.
Understanding sun glare on the road
We might not live in the sunniest of countries but driving in bright sunlight can be dangerous wherever you are! In Ireland, sun glare while driving is more common during summer days when the evenings are brighter and longer. Sun glare happens when bright light or reflection from the sun affects your sight when you’re driving making it much harder to see traffic and any potential hazards around you.
Follow these tips for sun driving to help you drive safely on those sunny days:
Delay driving times
It might not always be possible, but when you can, you should try to avoid driving at times with peak glaring sun. Such times include sunrise and sunset.
Use sunglasses and visors
Sunglasses are a must when driving in bright or glaring sun. The best option is to get yourself a pair that are polarised, because they greatly reduce sun and headlight glare. Always keep a pair in your glove box.
If you don’t have any sunnies with you, don’t forget to utilise your car’s sun visor.
Slow down
Sun glare will affect your view of the road and any potential obstructions in your path will be affected. When driving in the sun, drive at a reduced speed to give yourself more time to react to a hazard or danger. This is particularly important when approaching junctions, bends and corners. Slowing down can also help protect pedestrians who may be out for their morning or evening walk.
Leave room between you and others
No matter what the conditions around you, it’s important to leave enough space between you and the cars close by. Making sure there’s plenty of space between you and the cars ahead and behind means you have more time to make decisions.
For more on safe stopping distances and speeds, have a look at our article on time and space.
Be sure to give cyclists on the road plenty of space too. The Road Safety Authority recommends that there’s at least one metre between cyclists and cars in speed zones up to 50 km/h, and 1.5 metres in zones over 50 km/h.¹
Keep your dashboard and windscreen clean
Avoid storing anything on your dashboard, as they might reflect light into your eyeline or distract you from the road ahead.
If your windscreen has any grime, dirt or grease on the inside or outside it can make sun glare even worse, so check this before you start off on your journey. Regularly check your windscreen washer fluid and make sure your windscreen wipers are not worn away or damaged. Be careful of any cracks or chips in your windscreen that will distort sunlight and increase your chances of being dazed.
If you find your car windscreen is cracked or chipped, check your car insurance policy to ensure windscreen replacements or repairs are covered.
At Aviva, we like to reward safe driving. That’s why we give discounts on your car insurance premium² if you have no penalty points. If you buy your car insurance online, you’ll also get a 15% discount. Get your quote today³.
We encourage our customers, where possible, to make use of our online options to access any help you need. MyAviva is an online self-service portal available to all our home and car insurance customers.
Related articles
1. RSA, Sharing the road with cyclists, https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/campaigns/cyclists, 2019.
2. To qualify for our penalty points rating all drivers on the policy must be capable of incurring penalty points for driving offenses in Republic of Ireland and you must provide us with a valid driver number for each driver on the policy which can be verified by the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF). A policy loading may be applied for penalty points which are incurred by you or any driver whose driving is covered by this policy. Discounts or loadings may vary depending on the number and nature of the penalty points incurred.
3. Offer of 15% discount only applies to new car insurance policies bought online. Acceptance criteria, terms and conditions apply. Subject to a minimum premium of €310 for car insurance. Aviva reserves the right to withdraw, suspend or amend this offer or any of the terms and conditions there of at any time without prior notice.
Car insurance is underwritten by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC.
Aviva Direct Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A private company limited by shares. Registered in Ireland No 374895. Registered Office: Cherrywood Business Park, Dublin, Ireland, D18 W2P5.