Glaring warning for Aussie drivers this winter

Aussie drivers getting set to hit the road for the winter school holidays are being warned of the dangers of sun glare during the wetter and darker winter months.

The reminder to stay ‘sun glare smart’ comes in the lead-up to school holidays, as data collected by healthcare provider Bupa, suggests there was a 28 per cent increase in road fatalities during the autumn school holidays in April 2024, compared to April 2023.

Despite speeding and driver distraction playing a major role in vehicle accidents, Bupa says car crashes typically increase by 30 per cent during times of high sun glare, according to data it retrieved from international studies.

Optometrist Karen Makin says the sun sits lower in the sky in the winter months, which means more glare in the eyes and exposure to UV rays, which are intensified by reflections off wet surfaces after it rains.

“During winter, people are also more likely to be driving during sunrise and sunset, where sun glare can impair your vision and increase your chance of having an accident,” says Makin.

“This makes having a good quality pair of UV protective sunglasses that comply with Australian standards available when you are on the road, so very important. Throughout the colder months, you may not need them all the time, but sun glare conditions can change rapidly.”

Visibility is one of the most important safety factors on the road. That’s why cars have headlights and daytime running lights (DRLs) and motorcyclists are encouraged to wear hi-visibility clothing.

And, as a driver, it’s your responsibility to ensure your eyeballs are up to the task, which means trips to the optometrist and using high-quality (or prescription) eyewear every time you get behind the wheel, so you’re prepared to encounter factors outside your control, such as sun glare.

Before you go reaching for those servo special sunnies, Makin says you shouldn’t rely on any old pair of sunglasses.

“It’s important to remember that while good quality sunglasses are available from chemists and department stores locally and internationally, don’t automatically assume they comply with Australian standards. Many sunglasses bought online or from convenience stores are just simpler, cheaper ‘fast fashion frames’ that provide minimal protection,” she says.

“For those requiring a prescription, optical stores are the only to purchase sunglasses that meet their day-to-day vision requirements which is why a pre-holiday eye test is always a good idea if you haven’t had one in a while.”

Eye tests are said to take around 30 minutes and should be performed every two years for people aged under 65, or every 12 months for over 65s.

That reminds me…  

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