POL/CWU – Driving Safely in Bright Sunlight and Sun Glare Conditions – Driver and Road Safety: Joint Communication:
Following discussions with the Post Office Ltd Driver and Road Safety Team, a Joint Communication is being issued to all POL commercial fleet and company car drivers. See copy attached for your information which is based on guidance developed by the AA and RAC.
Every driver has a responsibility to drive with due care and attention. Drivers must be alert for anything that may affect their ability to do just that. Whilst many drivers are sensible when it’s sunny and put sunglasses on for example, remove any shiny objects from the dashboard and lower the sun visor to help avoid unnecessary glare, quite a few drivers don’t. Drivers need to be mindful to drive with care and attention in all conditions.
However, the official regulations are that a drivercan wear sunglasses while driving butit is not a legal requirement in to wear them in bright conditionsbut a driver could still be considered by police to be ‘driving without due care and attention’.However, we have no knowledge of any prosecutions to that effect since the revised Highway Code was introduced. So it’s not clear how likely this is, but it is worth noting thatthe Highway Code says that if you as a driver are dazzled by bright sunlight, you should slow down and if necessary stop your vehicle.
As glare is one of the primary causes of crashesit makes sense for drivers to wear sunglasses, providing they are suitable. They should not be too dark and should not be a style that could obscure peripheral vision as these could also land the driver in trouble with the law, technically speaking.
The AA motoring organisation guidance (the AA shares advice from the Optical Suppliers Association) states that your driving sunglasses should take a number of important factors into account such as a specialist driving lens or tint and if you wear glasses for driving on a daily basis, you should ask your optician about inserting prescription lenses in everyday sunglasses. Also, there is advice about ensuring the sunglasses carry the CE safety mark and meet EU Standard BS EN 1836:2005 which relates to the lens filters. They should keep your vision clear, the tint should not be too dark and everyday sunglasses might not be suitable for driving etc.
The RAC add that there are certain types of sunglasses that aren’t suitable for driving, which should never be worn when behind the wheel. Category foursunglasses are illegal to wear while driving as they let less than eight per cent of light through the lenses. Sunglasses must be labelled in the UK to show the ‘filter category number’.
Seven Important Driving Safely in Bright Sunlight and Sun Glare Conditions to Remember:
* Keep the windscreen clean.
* Slow down and drive to conditions.
* Ensure the vehicle has sufficient screen wash.
* Check wiper blades are in good condition.
* Be extra aware of other road users who will be experiencing the same difficulties.
Attachment:
POL/CWU Joint Communication– Driving Safely in Bright Sunlight and Sun Glare Conditions – Driver and Road Safety – June 2023
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
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