Guard Against Glare

During the fall equinox, the sun sits low in the sky because of the tilt of the earth’s axis. The resulting glare can make driving a challenge for equestrian travelers.

Sun glare is not only annoying, it’s also dangerous. It can leave you blinded for two to three seconds after exposure while your eyes adjust.

Brown or amber lenses cut glare and improve depth perception, but aren’t recommended for cloudy days.

Gray lenses help reduce glare. You can wear gray lenses in sunny or cloudy conditions, so they’re recommended for driving in any kind of weather conditions.

Sun glare is not only annoying, it’s also dangerous. It can leave you blinded for two to three seconds after exposure while your eyes adjust.

Here are eight recommended ways to reduce the effects of sun glare.

• Replace your sun visors.

• Clean your windshield. Dirt and debris refract the sun’s rays, worsening glare. Clean your windshield inside and out before, during, and after each trip.

• Keep it clean. Replace your windshield wipers if they’re worn or don’t work well.

• Wear polarized sunglasses. Light beams are scattered until they hit a flat surface. Then the reflected beams polarize—that is, travel in a more uniform direction, usually horizontally, which intensifies the light, causing glare.

• Choose the right color. Gray lenses help reduce glare, especially the glare from wet roads and bodies of water. You can wear gray lenses in sunny or cloudy conditions, so they’re recommended for driving in any kind of weather conditions. Brown or amber lenses cut glare and improve depth perception, but aren’t recommended for cloudy days.

• Pull over. When you can, plan to stay off the road during the day’s most intense glare.

• Leave room to stop. Leave plenty of room between you and vehicle in front of you so you have room to stop.

• Reduce speed slowly. You might reach the top of hill or come around a bend to find yourself completely blinded by the sun. — René E. Riley