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Sun dazzle kills 23 people

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6 September 2013

Dazzling sun: road accidents
23 people were killed in car accidents related to sun dazzle in 2010 – and low autumn sun will make the problem worse

THE extraordinary story of the so-called ‘Walkie-Talkie’ tower in London might have got your attention recently.

The tower managed to melt a Jaguar with the reflected sun from its structure. A rather unintended consequence of the structure’s design – see the story from the BBC’s website Walkie-Tallkie’ skyscraper melts car.

But while the overheated Jaguar is an amusing sidestory, the sun’s rays can be far more dangerous to drivers: lethal in fact.

The Department for Transport reports that 23 people died in a car crash because of dazzling sun in 2010.

An extraordinary – and tragic – statistic in itself.

The dazzling sun is incredibly distracting – often quite blinding – and with autumn here there also comes the risk of driving in low sun.

So before you jump into your company car or business car, it’s important to take some precautions before you drive off.

Here are our key tips to avoid becoming fatally bedazzled by the low sun:

  1. Always carry a good pair of sunglasses with you.
  2. If the sun makes it difficult to see, slow down – but without braking sharply. Don’t forget that cars behind you will be affected in the same way.
  3. Be aware that if the sun is behind you, it will be affecting the eyes of drivers coming towards you.
  4. Low sun can dazzle through your mirrors so be ready to dip your mirror.
  5. With shorter days remember to turn on your headlights before sunset – unless you car is fitted with auto lighting (but make sure the control is set to auto).
  6. Keep your windscreen and windows clear – low sun emphasises scratches, grime and interior ‘fog’ making it much more difficult to see.
  7. Always stay aware of changing road conditions – blinding sun can hide incidents ahead.
  8. Be especially careful as you approach hill crests with the sun behind them.

Click on our Driving Advice section for more tips to stay safe on the roads.

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Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

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