A new survey of 1,000 British motorists has found that almost two-fifths (37%) of drivers admitted to sun brightness impacting their vision, putting them at risk of a £1,000 fine and three penalty points for failure to have full view of the road and traffic ahead, experts have warned.
Car and van leasing company Vanarama said it had surveyed 1,000 British drivers, asking them “What factors, if any, have affected your driving during the spring or summertime?”. It said the survey found the glare of the sun had the biggest impact on driving.
Andy Alderson, CEO and founder of Vanarama, said: "To prevent being dazzled by the sun when driving, motorists should wear polarised sunglasses and keep a safe distance from other drivers when the sun is distorting their view. Creating space between you and the car in front will give you more time to assess the road situation. If drivers feel like they do not have full control of the situation, they should pull over when safe to do so.
“You must also keep your windscreen clean in the summer months. A dirty windscreen can magnify the sun's glare, making it harder to see the road. Before heading out on car journeys in the sun, you should clean both the interior and exterior of the car windscreen, checking that they are free of any dirt and debris."
Five spring problems that put drivers at risk
Sun brightness is impacting almost two-fifths of drivers’ vision, putting them at risk of a £1,000 fine
Rule 237 of the Highway Code says if you are dazzled by bright sunlight, slow down and if necessary, stop. Vanarama’s survey of 1,000 Brits found that almost two-fifths (37%) of drivers have struggled to drive due to sun brightness in the past, putting them at risk of a £1,000 fine and three points for failure to have full view of the road and traffic ahead.
It said it was the over-55s that were struggling most, with 42% of them admitting this in Vanarama’s new survey. Bright sunlight can cause a strong glare across a car’s windscreen, which can distort a driver's view of the road. Your windows must be clean in the summer months to avoid magnifying glare.
Almost one in five of British drivers have felt the impacts of warm weather when driving
When asked if the impacts of warm weather - including feeling too hot, sweaty, and tired - had affected their driving, almost one in five (18%) of Brits said yes. This could result in a £1,000 fine and three penalty points for failure to have proper control of a vehicle.
If you start to feel like this while driving you should pull over when safe to do so and only restart driving once you feel better. In the spring and summer months, it is a good idea to have a bottle of water in your car whilst driving to keep hydrated and cool.
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Hay fever symptoms have affected 14% of drivers this spring
Vanarama said 14% of drivers surveyed admitted hay fever symptoms such as itchy eyes and sneezing affected their driving ability. If these symptoms result in your failing to have proper control of the vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead you will face a £1,000 fine and three points. However, taking allergy tablets to combat this could put drivers at further risk as you can be convicted for taking legal drugs that affect your driving.
Andy Alderson added: “Many medicines can cause tiredness. Some anti-histamines cause drowsiness and so I would recommend hayfever sufferers check the label before they drive.
“The advice is ‘always read the label’, and this should always be the case before your drive after taking medication. If you are unsure you should speak to a medical professional to get advice before stepping in the car.”
10% of Brits admitted sunburn affects their driving in spring and summer
Having sunburn is an uncomfortable and often painful experience, depending on where your sunburn is sometimes even sitting still can cause discomfort. Driving is not something normally associated with sunburn, but Vanarama’s survey revealed that sunburn had affected 10% of Brits’ driving in the spring and summer. If this leaves you unable to have proper control of the vehicle you could be hit with a £1,000 fine and three penalty points.
Taking allergy tablets has affected 8% of Brits’ driving
According to the UK government website, you can be convicted for taking legal drugs that affect your driving. If the drugs make you unfit to drive and you are caught driving you can get a minimum one-year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison, and a criminal record. Legal drugs are defined as being ‘prescription or over-the-counter medicines’. In Vanarama’s survey, 8% of drivers admitted that taking allergy tablets had made them drowsy while driving.
