Avoiding Glare-Related Car Accidents: What You Need to Know

Glare is an underrated hazard for drivers. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are about 9,000 glare-related car accidents each year. It’s also the second most dangerous environmental factor in crashes—right behind slick roads.

Here in Washington State, glare might not be top of mind since we get so many overcast days. But when the sun hangs low or bright light reflects off wet roads, it can quickly become a serious problem.

Let’s investigate what causes glare, how to stay prepared, and what to do if you get caught in it.

Why Glare Can Be a Real Hazard for Drivers

If good visibility is key to safe driving, think of glare as having too much of a good thing. It’s an overwhelming burst of light that can make it hard to see what’s right in front of you. Whether it’s sunlight or bright headlights, glare can make it easy to miss a pedestrian, another vehicle, or an obstacle in the road—turning a minor inconvenience into a serious hazard.

According to a NHTSA study, some factors can make glare even more dangerous, including:

• Age of the driver. Drivers over 45 may have a harder time adjusting to glare, and they’re more likely to be involved in glare-related crashes. (Source.)
• Time of day. Most glare-related accidents happen in the early morning (6–9 a.m.) and evening (5–8 p.m.) when the sun sits low on the horizon and traffic is heaviest.
• Travel speed. The faster you’re moving, the less time you can react, making glare even riskier.

Knowing when glare is most dangerous can help you take steps to stay safe and prevent accidents.

Most Concerning Times for Glare

When you think of glare, you might picture a bright, sunny day in July. But the reality is, glare can catch you off guard at any time of the year, day or night.

Here are some scenarios when glare is especially dangerous:

• Fall and Spring Equinoxes. In late March and late September, the sun rises and sets almost exactly east and west. During morning and evening commutes, this means the sun can align perfectly with the road, making visibility tricky.
• East-West Roads. Heading out on a road trip? Keep in mind the direction you’ll be traveling. A long stretch of highway with the sun directly in your eyes can be both exhausting and hazardous.
• Fresh Rain or Snow. The sun can reflect off wet or snowy roads, creating intense, blinding light.
• Night Driving. Drivers may unknowingly use their high beams, especially on rural roads where they assume there’s little traffic. This can cause glare for other drivers.

Glare can be triggered by many different conditions and times of day, so staying vigilant behind the wheel is always a good idea.

Be Glare Prepared

Here are a few proactive steps you can take to stay glare prepared.

What To Do if Caught in Glare

Even if you’re prepared, intense glare can still catch you off guard. Chances are, you’ve experienced this: you’re driving, make a turn onto a street, and suddenly the sun is so bright it feels like the road disappears. One of our staff members had a similar experience recently while waiting at an intersection. The glare made it hard to see that the light was red. Apparently, the car in front of her struggled too—and ended up running the red light!

So, what should you do if you find yourself in these conditions? Here are a few tips:

• Keep your eyes moving. Don’t fixate on one spot on the road. Keep scanning the periphery for moving objects or changes in traffic.
• Look to the right. If possible, focus on a lane edge or marker to help you stay safely positioned on the road.
• Angle your sun visor. Adjust your sun visor to block as much glare as possible without obstructing your view of the road.
• Slow your speed. This is a visibility issue—exactly the kind of situation you learned about in driver’s school! Slow down to give yourself and others more time to react.

If the glare is really bad, the safest option might be to turn onto another road and adjust your route, if it’s safe to do so.

Glare and Legal Responsibility: Who’s at Fault?

What happens if another driver hits you and blames glare? In most cases, they are still legally responsible. Here’s why: drivers are required to maintain safe control of their vehicles, no matter the environmental conditions.

If they fail to adjust their speed, positioning, or use safety precautions (like wearing sunglasses), they can still be considered at fault.

Involved in a Glare-Related Crash? Call Us.

If you were the victim of a glare-related car accident and want to speak with a lawyer, we’re here to help. There’s no cost or obligation when you consult with a Ladenburg Law car accident lawyer. In fact, we only charge a fee if we secure a settlement for you.

To get started, call us at 253-272-5226 or fill out the short form on our website.