Risk of accident underestimated
It’s not just slippery roads that motorists must be aware of in the winter months. DEKRA accident experts warn readers that the dazzle from a low-lying sun can even prove twice as dangerous as fog, strong lateral wind, heavy rain and storms. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, in 2023 glare caused 2,529 accidents in which 3,274 people were injured. Of these, 31 were fatal and 529 were seriously injured. That is almost twice as many accidents as for other adverse weather conditions.
The dangerous thing about dazzle is that it frequently occurs unexpectedly. Irrespective of whether I’m exiting a tunnel or an underground car park, or driving over a hill or around a bend: if I suddenly look into dazzling sunlight, I won’t be able to see very much in that instant
explains Danijel Cakeljic, DEKRA light expert. “Eyes must adjust to the new light conditions and that can take one or several seconds. However, during this period the driver is largely driving blind.”
At 50 km/h, for example, a vehicle will travel about 28 meters in two seconds. Dazzled drivers find it hard to make out contrasts, meaning that objects in their peripheral vision, such as pedestrians or cyclists, are difficult to recognize. Moreover, the eye finds it difficult to focus when looking to the side under such conditions.
To reduce the risk of accident by sun dazzle, the accident expert recommends driving particularly proactively on sunny days, paying special attention in the morning and afternoon hours when the sun is low in the sky. “Expect a sun dazzle situation, i.e. reduce speed and increase distance. Abrupt braking is to be avoided so as not to endanger vehicles behind. It is also helpful to adjust the sun screen to a suitable position and to keep sunglasses handy. In an extreme dazzle situation, the only thing to do is to move forward carefully.