Low sun and dirty windscreens

29 September 2011

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britains top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week he advises drivers on dealing with low sun and dazzle.

• Always keep a good pair of sunglasses in the car they really help.
• If you cant see, do the obvious thing and slow down, keeping an eye on the vehicle behind, in case the following traffic cant see you against the sun.
• If the sun is behind you, its in the eyes of drivers coming towards you be aware they might not see you.
• Low sun behind can dazzle you through your mirrors so be ready to dip the mirror and check over your shoulder for vehicles in your blind spot.
• Low sun highlights scratches and grime, so keep your washer bottles topped up with a good quality screenwash and change your windscreen wipers every year.
• Turn on your headlights before sunset and keep them on for an hour after sunrise so that its easier for other drivers to see you in twilight.

Rodger said: Dirty windscreens make it even more difficult for drivers to see in the low sun we get every morning and late afternoon in the winter months. Your heater is often on demist, blowing traffic fumes, suspended oil and smoke onto the inside of the screen which quickly builds to a film of grime which is a major cause of glare. Clean your screen inside and out, with glass cleaner at least once a week.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1.     Peter Rodger is the IAMs chief examiner

2.     The IAM is the UKs largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

ENDS ALL

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