Winter glare is one of the most overlooked driving hazards, particularly for HGV drivers covering long distances at peak sunlight hours. Reduced visibility, intensified reflections and eye strain can all increase risk on the road. To help drivers stay safe and prepared, here are some practical tips for managing winter glare before, during and after your journey.
- Reduced visibility: The low, bright winter sun can suddenly and severely obscure a driver’s vision — a phenomenon sometimes called “sun blindness”. This can make it difficult to see road signs, hazards and other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
- Increased accident risk: According to Department for Transport statistics, dazzling sun is a significant contributory factor in thousands of road accidents in the UK each year, more than other weather-related factors such as fog or spray.
- Worsened by windscreen issues: Dirt, grime, scratches or chips on the windscreen can make sun glare much worse by diffusing and refracting the light.
- Reflection from surfaces: Glare can be intensified when the sun’s rays reflect off wet or icy road surfaces, especially when the sun is at a low angle.
- Eye strain and fatigue: Intense glare forces drivers to squint or frown, which can cause eye strain and headaches, particularly during long drives.
Tips for HGV drivers to manage winter glare
Before setting off
- Clean the windscreen: Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of your windscreen to remove hazy film and any dirt that can worsen glare.
- Check wiper blades: Ensure your wiper blades are in good condition and replace them if they are worn, as ineffective wipers can smear the windscreen and reduce visibility.
- Use winter screen wash: Top up your windscreen washer fluid with a winter-grade additive to prevent it from freezing.
- Pack essential items: Keep a pair of high-quality sunglasses and a bottle of water in the cab for your journey.
While driving
- Wear polarised sunglasses: These are effective at filtering out horizontal light waves that cause glare from reflective surfaces such as wet roads. Ensure your sunglasses meet the European Standard for driving, BS EN 1836.
- Use the sun visor: Pull down the cab’s sun visor to block the sun, and move it to the side window if the sun is not directly in front of you.
- Increase following distance: Leave a larger gap between your HGV and the vehicle in front to give yourself more time to react, especially when visibility is reduced.
- Slow down: Reduce your speed when driving into dazzling sunlight to give yourself more time to respond to hazards.
- Stop if necessary: If you are completely blinded by the sun, slow down and, if necessary, stop safely until your vision returns to normal. Do not stop on the hard shoulder; find a safer location such as a service station.
- Use dipped headlights: In poor light or glare, using dipped headlights will make your HGV more visible to other road users, including those driving towards you.
- Beware of reflections: Watch out for reflections from other vehicles and road surfaces, which can cause sudden dazzling.
Planning ahead
Check weather forecasts: Use weather apps to stay informed about potential issues, including sun position and rain or ice, which can increase glare. Adapt your route: Where possible, adjust your route to avoid driving directly into the sun during peak glare periods, such as early morning and late afternoon.
You read more tips here.
Weather checks here.
