Winter Driving Tips 

As the leaves fall off the trees and the Christmas adverts make their way on to the television, we’ve had to accept that it is winter. The winter months can pose many dangers, particularly for drivers. The icy roads and shorter daylight hours can be extremely dangerous for driving. Another issue is the winter sun, the low angle of the sun can mean that your sun visor doesn’t offer protection from the bright light. In a recent report from the Department of Transportation, it was stated that around 3,900 people a year are injured in accidents caused by being dazzled by bright light from the sun or car headlights.
Glare caused by the sun affects everyone, but it especially affects those who need to wear glasses or contact lenses. Whilst you can’t change the effects of the sun, there are things you can do to improve your visibility when driving this winter.

Use Prescription Sunglasses When You Need To – The winter sun can be particularly dazzling due to the low angle of the sun in the sky. To reduce the effects of sun dazzle wear prescription sunglasses when your sun visor does not offer suitable protection. When choosing your prescription sunglasses, be sure to choose some with polarised lenses to ensure optimal protection from the sun.

Keep Windscreen Clear - A dirty or fogged-up windscreen can significantly reduce visibility and make glare worse. Make sure that your windscreen, rear windscreen and windows are all clear before you start driving. Leave yourself enough time each morning to effectively de-ice and demist your car. It is also a good idea to clean your windscreen inside and out before starting your journey.

Beware of Glare – Due to the shorter days in the winter, car headlights are switched on earlier in the evening and kept on for longer during the morning. The glare coming from car headlights can be particularly dangerous for those who wear glasses. Glare from headlights is one of the main reasons for drivers crashing during the winter. To reduce the effects of glare try to avoid staring directly at the light coming from oncoming traffic, instead focus on the reflective road markings. Also, make sure that your glasses are regularly cleaned to remove any scuffs or smudges which could obscure vision.

To help your vision when driving this winter, consider trying EnRoute lenses. Designed to help with driving in low light conditions, EnRoute lenses offer significant reduction of reflections and uncomfortable glare from oncoming traffic. They have a specially designed glare filter and an optional contrast-enhancing filter, allowing better contrast in low light conditions. To find out more about how EnRoute lenses could help you, visit http://www.eyewear.harroldopticians.co.uk/c/186099