low winter sun driving tips

Winter is a dangerous time to drive for many reasons. Rain, snow and ice can make roads slippery and unsafe, but did you know that low winter sun could be just as dangerous?

During winter, the sun does not rise quite as high as it does in the summer and leafless trees don’t block any light. The low winter sun can cause glare when driving, due to the angle that it hits your windshield. This glare can temporarily blind drivers and make it impossible to see the road ahead.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to make driving in the low winter sun safer for yourself and those on the road around you.

Clean Your Windshield

Spots and debris on your windshields can make it even more difficult to see in sun glare situations. Use a glass cleaner and a soft microfiber cloth to clean the inside of your windshield, which will help to reduce glare. If you have any cracks or chips on your windshield, get it replaced.

Replace Old Wiper Blades

Having a clean windshield won’t help much if your wiper blades aren’t working correctly. The low winter sun is especially dangerous when it is raining or snowing. Wiper blades that leave streaks or do not work effectively can make the sun’s glare even worse. For signs that it's time to replace your windshield wipers, click here.

Wear Sunglasses

A good pair of sunglasses can help significantly with blocking out the glare of low winter sun. Look for polarized shades, which are coated with a thin film designed to reduce glare. Not only will polarized sunglasses reduce the sun’s glare, they will also protect your eyes from the harmful effects of the sun.

Choose a New Route

The low winter sun is worse on some roads than others. Roads with lots of tall buildings or trees that block sunlight are safer if you are trying to avoid the suns glare. In contrast, roads surrounded by wide-open spaces are more dangerous since there’s nothing to block the sun. You may also want to avoid areas where tall glass buildings or bodies of water, reflect the sun’s light.

Slow Down, Turn Lights On

Leave extra space between your car and those ahead of. If you break suddenly and the sun blinds the driver behind you, you might get rear-ended. Remember that even when the sun is behind you, it might be causing glare for oncoming traffic. Be extra careful when turning in front of oncoming traffic & look out for pedestrians. Keep your headlights turned on to make your more visible to other drivers.

If you need to have a broken windshield replaced, we at AutoGlass Solutions are here to help. Contact us today for a free quote.