Driving in spring and early summer can often mean having to contend with the sun rising or setting at peak commuting times, blinding van drivers as they navigate already hazardous road conditions. Being distracted or blinded by bright sunshine is a serious problem for road users, and a recent report revealed that bright sunlight can create visual illusions, which increase the risk of life-threatening crashes by 16%. With this in mind, here are our top tips for driving a hire van in bright sunshine.
Invest in Some Sunglasses
It may seem ‘glaringly’ obvious to you all, but sunglasses do a very good job of assisting your eyes to adjust to brighter lights such as sunshine. Polarized sunglasses are particularly effective as they reduce glare from reflective surfaces like roads and other vehicles. Always keep a pair of high-quality sunglasses in your hire van to protect your eyes and improve visibility.
Use Your Visor
Visors on cars and vans are designed to block out the sunshine in your eyes without hindering your vision. Make sure you adjust the visor properly so it shields your eyes from direct sunlight while still allowing you to see the road clearly. Some visors also have an extension that can be pulled out for additional coverage.
Keep Your Windscreen Squeaky Clean
Dirty windscreens on cars and vans can really amplify glares as the dirt scatters the sunlight. So before you start your journey in a hire van, give your windscreen a quick clean. A clean windscreen not only reduces glare but also ensures that any chips or cracks are more visible, allowing you to address them before they become bigger problems.
Slow Down and Increase Your Distances
The saying “better safe than sorry” often applies in bright sun and low sun. In this case, leaving twice the room between your hire van and the car, van or lorry in front of you can give you a split-second extra time to adjust to a sudden stop or erratic driving from other road users in bright sunlight and low sunlight. This increased distance can be crucial when visibility is compromised by harsh lighting conditions.
Plan Your Route Ahead of Time
If possible, plan your route so that you’re not driving directly into the sun during peak sunrise or sunset times. Use navigation apps that offer real-time traffic updates to find alternative routes that might be less affected by bright sunlight. This small adjustment can make a big difference in reducing glare-related distractions.
Adjust Your Mirrors Properly
Bright sunshine can reflect off mirrors into your eyes, causing temporary blindness or distraction. Adjusting your mirrors properly will help minimize this risk. Ensure that side mirrors are angled away from direct sunlight while still providing an adequate view of surrounding traffic.
Use Headlights Wisely
Using headlights during bright sunny days might seem counterintuitive, but it helps other drivers see you better when their vision is impaired by glare. Turning on dipped headlights makes your vehicle more visible against the backdrop of intense sunlight.
Take Regular Breaks
Driving for extended periods under bright sunshine can cause eye strain and fatigue faster than usual. Taking regular breaks allows your eyes some rest time away from glaring light conditions, which helps maintain focus when you’re back on the road.
Stay Hydrated
Bright sunny days often mean higher temperatures, which could lead to dehydration, affecting concentration levels while driving long distances, especially if air conditioning isn’t available within hired vans. Always carry water bottles and stay hydrated throughout the journey, ensuring optimal alertness behind the wheel at all times!
By following these top tips for driving a hire van in bright sunshine, you’ll be better equipped to handle challenges posed by harsh lighting conditions, ensuring safer, smoother journeys every time!
Van Hire Warrington
Our central Warrington Van Hire depot is easily accessible on foot from all the main regional transportation networks, including the Warrington central train station and Warrington bus terminal. If you happen to come by car, we also provide an on-site secure car park that you can use for the duration of your Warrington van hire period. Don’t forget, for selected vans, by booking two weeks in advance, you will get 10% off. We are Van Hire Warrington, Van Hire Runcorn, Van Hire Widnes, Van Hire Altrincham & Van Hire St Helens specialists so call us today for more help or advice.
