The photo below is intended to be the first of several images, over a period, to show that even in bright sunshine, visibility for drivers and other road users can actually be very poor, therefore the best safety can be achieved by driving with low beam headlights on at all times. (Daytime Running Lights, or DRLs, are as safe as long as they illuminate not only the front lights but also the rear lights too. See our previous article for details on this important subject.)
Bewilderingly, a lot of drivers are very reluctant to use headlights during daytime, even though it does add significantly to your own and other road users’ safety, through additional conspicuity, and people being able to see vehicles approaching sooner or more easily.
Other sunlight conditions which can create poor visibility include:
- low-lying mist;
- smoke blowing across the road;
- deep shadows that can occur when the sun is very low in the sky or trees overhang the road;
- the dazzle that’s caused by low sunshine (because it’s hard to look in the direction of the sun but a vehicle may be coming from that direction).
For your own improved safety put your low-beam headlights on every time you drive…. period!
And what do we do about drivers who think they should drive in any condition with all their lights including fog lights switched on
What do you think can be done, Donald? Admittedly, drivers who use fog lights when there is no fog or falling snow, high beams when people are getting dazzled, or driving/spot lights at inopportune times, are a serious nuisance, but as for what can be done about it….!
it is also important to check that both front low beam lights are working! The car nearest the camera appears to have only 1 illuminated.
Fair comment, Andrew, although what you are seeing on this occasion was reflected sunlight on the headlight of that nearest, approaching car.