UK drivers risk huge £1,000 fine and penalty points for not wearing sunglasses during heatwave

With the warm and sunny weather, motorists are being warned of how the bright weather could affect drivers when it comes to seeing the road ahead of them.

Sunlight can often cause a strong glare across a car’s windshield which can distort a driver’s view of the road, with clean windows helping to minimise the risk.

Rule 237 of the Highway Code deals with how drivers should act in hot weather and what action they should take to protect themselves and others.

It states that motorists should keep their vehicles well-ventilated to avoid drowsiness, either by using air conditioning or opening the window.

They should also be aware of slippery or soft road surfaces if it rains after a long period of dry, warm weather as it can affect steering and braking.

If drivers are dazzled by the bright sunlight, the Highway Code advises them to slow down and stop if necessary.

Andy Alderson, CEO and founder of Vanarama, said: “To prevent being dazzled by the sun when driving, motorists should wear polarised sunglasses and keep a safe distance from other drivers when the sun is distorting their view.

“Creating space between you and the car in front will give you more time to assess the road situation.

“If drivers feel like they do not have full control of the situation, they should pull over when safe to do so.”

Motorists could be fined £1,000 and be hit with three penalty points on their licence if they fail to have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of them.

According to data from Vanarama, almost two in five drivers admitted that they struggle to drive because of the brightness of the sun in the past.

Of these, 42 per cent of drivers over the age of 55 said they struggled the most with dealing with the bright sunlight.

Andy Alderson continued, saying: “You must also keep your windscreen clean in the summer months.

“A dirty windscreen can magnify the sun's glare making it harder to see the road.

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“Before heading out on car journeys in the sun, you should clean both the interior and exterior of the car windscreen, checking that they are free of any dirt and debris.”