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Danger of low sun and dirty windscreens
Low winter sun and dirty windscreens mean there is a greater risk of dangerous dazzle at this time of year than any other, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
- Always keep a good pair of sunglasses in your vehicle – they really help.
- If you can’t see, do the obvious thing and slow down accordingly – keeping an eye on the vehicle behind, in case the following traffic doesn’t see you against the sun.
- If the sun is behind you, it’s in the eyes of drivers coming towards you – be aware they might not see you.
- Low sun behind can dazzle you through your mirrors so be ready to dip the mirror and check over your shoulder for vehicles in your blind spot.
- Keep your washer bottles topped up with a good quality screenwash.
- Change your windscreen wipers every year.
“Dirty windscreens make it even more difficult for drivers to see in the low sun we get every morning and late afternoon in the winter months,” says the IAM’s chief examiner Peter Roger. “Your heater is often on demist, blowing traffic fumes, suspended oil and smoke onto the inside of the screen which quickly builds to a film of grime which is a major cause of glare. The wet roads mean more dirt on the other side of the screen, too, and a low sun highlights scratches and grime making it even more of a problem.
“The best solution is to clean your screen inside and out, with water or glass cleaner at least once a week, drying with paper or leather.”
 
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