Low sun, no fun

As autumn brings shortening daylight hours, Simon advises drivers on dealing with low sun and dazzle, especially during the morning and afternoon commute.

• Always keep a good pair of sunglasses in the car – they really will make a big difference.
• If you can’t see, do the obvious thing and slow down, keeping an eye on the vehicle behind in case the following traffic can’t see you against the sun.
• If the sun is behind you, it’s in the eyes of drivers coming towards you – be aware that they might not see you or the road markings between you and them.
• Low sun behind can dazzle you via your mirrors, so be ready to dip the mirror and remember to check over your shoulder for vehicles in your blind spot.
• Low sun highlights windscreen scratches and grime which can hinder your view, so keep your washer bottles topped up with a good quality screen wash and change your wipers every year.
• Turn on your headlights before sunset and keep them on for an hour after sunrise so that it’s easier for other drivers to see you in twilight.

Simon Elstow said: “Dirty windscreens make it even more difficult for drivers to see in the low sun we get every morning and late afternoon as winter draws closer. Your heater is often on the de-mist setting, blowing traffic fumes, suspended oil and smoke onto the inside of the screen which quickly builds up a film of grime which is a major cause of glare. Clean your screen inside and out with glass cleaner at least once a week.”