The sun can get in your eyes at any time of year in Arizona, but the next few months can be particularly difficult for drivers in that respect due to increased sun glare affecting them.
There’s always a lot of glare from the sun as it rises and sets; it’s just that for much of the year most drivers aren’t on the roads at dusk and dawn. As we head into fall and then winter, the sun rises later and sets earlier, so more people encounter dusk and dawn on their commute to work or school.
Prepare for it
You’ve likely experienced high sun glare before and held up a hand to shield your eyes, or ducked down or sat up straighter to try and find a spot where you can still see the road through the glass of your windshield. Those actions are distracting in themselves, and when combined with a vastly reduced ability to see, the increased crash risk is obvious.
Having some sunglasses or a peaked cap to hand can help, as can keeping your windshield clean. Picking a different route is sometimes an option. Some routes are definitely more glary than others due to the alignment of the streets with the sun’s path, or the presence of highly reflective buildings alongside the stretch of road.
Slowing down is one of the best things you can do, as you won’t be the only one struggling to see. Slower speeds allow you more time to react and brake. Drivers must take into account the road conditions, such as sun glare, and drive at an appropriate speed for those conditions. Those injured by a driver who failed to take sufficient care may be entitled to compensation.
