The beginning of fall can become a frustrating time because of sun glare if your work commute takes you on east-west roads. Even north-south commutes can cause glares from your periphery that can become distracting and even dangerous.
But we have some ways to limit that glare this time of year.
The time around the start of fall means sunrise and sunset are happening closer to the typical commute hours. If you have to drive on roads that run east to west, you’ll have to deal with bright sunshine in your eyes, especially if you’re facing toward the sun.
While you can’t do anything about the sun itself, you can take some steps to avoid getting blinded while driving.
First and foremost, treat sun glare like any other weather hazard: Slow down and leave extra distance between you and other vehicles.
Make sure your windshield is clean, both inside and outside. Dust, dirt, oil and all the other things that end up on a windshield can contribute to glare. Check your windshield washer fluid tank and fill it as necessary.
Wear polarized sunglasses, which can help reduce glare.
Finally, flip your sun visor down, even if won’t block the sun directly. You’ll still decrease the amount of bright light coming at you.
Sunglasses and a clean rear window still help when you’re driving away from the sun, but you can also adjust your rear-view mirror. Pivot it the same way you do at night when you want to dim the headlights of a vehicle behind you; it’ll have the same effect on bright sunlight.
One bonus bit of advice for when the sun’s at your back: Turn on your headlights. It’ll make you more visible to drivers headed toward the sun who need all the help they can get seeing other vehicles.
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