09/13/2026
This area and our town can have some amazing sunsets and sunrise and we often see them as we are driving to and from work or school. Sometimes we can be distracted by the beauty while we are driving. So here are a few reminders.
Safe Driving Techniques when driving at Sunrise and Sunset
*Preparedness of the Driver*
An informed road user is a safer road user. We would like drivers to be alert of risks, to be well prepared and able to make the necessary adjustments when required.
Think ahead of the planned drive, the potential threats on the road and be ready to adjust the way you drive.
Many drivers are able to self-regulate by limiting their driving in low light situations, such as at dusk, dawn or night.
Ensure alertness by avoiding driver tiredness, planning your rest stops and avoiding all driver distractions.
Be mindful of other drivers, and switch to your low beams if there’s oncoming traffic or if you’re following another vehicle.
Have good sunglasses available to you within easy reach.
Invest in polarized sunglasses – they can help reduce glare.
Avoid wearing tinted sunglasses at night, though they may be helpful during dusk and dawn when the sun is still out.
Utilize your sun visor – it can help to block out the sun.
Let your eyes adjust – The human eye naturally adjusts to the darkness, but it can take up to 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to darkness fully and drivers should reduce speed during this transitional time.
Be conscious of vision changes. As we age, it is natural to experience vision changes that affect our visibility in low light situations, such as dusk and dawn.
A 50-year-old driver may need twice as much light to see comfortably over a 30-year old driver.
Limited light can affect depth perception, colour perception, contrast sensitivity and peripheral vision.
Get regular check-ups for conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma.
*Adjust Driving Style*
The best way to enhance your safety on the road is to focus on a defensive driving style. We would like to suggest the following:
Always reduce your speed to compensate for reduced visibility.
Slowing your speed will allow more time and space to respond in an emergency.
Slowing your speed slightly is one of the best ways to avoid head-on collisions, especially at night when your vision distance is limited by your headlights.
Increase your following distance from the vehicle ahead of you - when the sun is in your eyes it can be hard to see what the vehicle ahead is doing.
Be especially cautious when driving in areas of pedestrian activity.
Keep an eye on your rearview mirrors for any vehicles rapidly closing in from behind.
Look farther up the road and stay focused on your driving so you can know ahead of time when you may be turning to face directly into the sun
Use lane markings as a guide when sun glare is reducing visibility.
Avoid staring directly at the sun or the headlights from oncoming traffic and other bright lights out on the road.
If you’re blinded by oncoming traffic, look toward the left edge of the road and steer along its path until you can see clearly again.
Golden Rule: If you cannot see- You should NOT drive!
Be prepared to pull off the road in a safe place if you still can’t see but do not stop on the travelled portion of the road.
The sun will rise high enough or sink low enough in a few minutes to allow safer driving. Remain patient.
Drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility to other drivers – Avoid high beams to prevent blinding oncoming traffic.
Your taillights will also be important to make you more visible to the drivers behind you.
Remain alert to the other dangers associated with driving at sunset and sunrise/dusk and dawn – such as driver tiredness!
You are far more likely to get tired behind the wheel when driving at dusk, dawn or night. If you’re feeling drowsy behind the wheel, make frequent stops to get some fresh air and safely walk around.
