Driving when the sun is low in the sky, there is danger
Created: 06/28/2022, 11:32 am
By: Carina Blumenroth
When the sun is low, driving becomes dangerous.
ADAC experts say that driving when the sun is low in the sky is more dangerous than when it is foggy.
Some drivers underestimate the danger posed by the low sun.
Glare can be particularly dangerous on crests, in curves or before or after underpasses or tunnels.
The insidious thing is that
glare
makes it much harder for drivers to see other road users.
Traffic lights or other street signs are often not recognized in time.
The danger is always particularly great when the sun is rising or setting, i.e. in the
early morning hours or in the evening
– almost in the middle of rush hour
traffic
.
Low sun causes some car accidents.
(Iconic image) © Wolfgang Maria Weber/Imago
Driving when the sun is low in the sky: This helps against glare
Top up the wiper water regularly:
Make sure that the wiper water tank is always full so that you can clean the windscreen if necessary.
Also, always have a cloth in the car to clean the inside of the window.
Your windows should always be clean to minimize glare.
Windscreen wipers:
If the wiper blades make streaks on the windscreen, it is high time to replace the wiper blades.
In this way you improve the view, but also protect the pane in the long term.
Because broken wiper blades can also scratch the window.
Sunglasses:
Wear sunglasses while driving.
You should clean them briefly before driving.
When buying sunglasses, you can also make sure that you buy glasses with anti-reflective lenses.
They reduce irritating light reflections.
This reduces glare and also darkens the area a bit.
Adjusted Speed:
Be sure to adjust your speed.
If you drive 50 km/h, you cover around 14 meters in one second.
This means that you are flying blind for at least 14 meters - because if you are blinded, the eye needs some time to "focus" again.
Anticipatory driving
:
Keep enough distance and think for others.
Everyone can be blinded and under certain circumstances, drivers react by slowing down.
Also, remember to turn on your headlights or low beams so you can be seen better by oncoming traffic.
What do these traffic signs mean?
View photo gallery
Low sun: No excuse for possible penalties
If you
overlook traffic signs or a
red traffic light when the sun is low in the sky, you will be fined.
According to
Ergo Versicherungen
, for example, running a red traffic light is considered a
grossly negligent violation
.
If the traffic light has been
red for
a second , then there is a risk
of a one-month
driving ban
.
Partial blame can also threaten in the case of accidents if you have not adapted your driving behavior to the view.
By the way, you don't even have to have exceeded the maximum speed for this.
(cbl)
