A range of different factors lead to road traffic accident claims in the
autumn, with no win no fee solicitors citing rainfall, leaves on the road and
darker nights as some of these. However, the dangers posed by the sun are also
significant, with Department for Transport (DfT) statistics finding that one in
33 of all reported motor vehicle accidents were caused by this risk in 2012.
This meant that over the year, a total of 2,905 road traffic accident
claims were caused by glare from the sun. Of these, 423 were deemed to be
serious, while 36 were fatal. In all, 52 of these accidents were on motorways,
while 428 were on B roads and 1,203 were on A-roads. The remaining 1,222 were
on other minor roads.
The risk of road traffic accident claims caused by glare from the sun
depends on geographical factors. The DfT's statistics found that while in the
UK, an average of 3% of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by glare from
the sunlight, this proportion is just 1% in London but rises to 4% in the North
East.
As a result, the AA has warned drivers that until the clocks go back on
October 27th, they should be aware that the sunset may dazzle them on their
commute home from work. This warning is echoed by personal injury
solicitors, who note there are a lot of ways drivers can avoid being
dazzled by the sunlight while behind the wheel.
Avoiding road traffic accident claims caused by
the sunlight
Dirty windscreens can significantly increase the amount of glare caused by
sunlight. Therefore, drivers should clean their windscreen on the outside and
the inside with washing up liquid and a damp cloth. The AA recommends that they
do so every fortnight.
When drivers begin to be dazzled by the sunlight, they should slow down
immediately. Some people are tempted to carry on driving in the hope that they
will soon avoid the glare of the sun, but this is when road traffic accident
claims happen. Instead, they should slow down and take their sun visors down.
Sun visors are a better way to avoid the glare of the sun than sunglasses, as
sunglasses can obscure a driver's vision.
Drivers must be aware of the danger of sunlight
Drivers should also be aware of the likelihood of road traffic accident
claims caused by glare and should understand when other drivers are likely to
be affected by it. If a driver's car casts a long shadow in front of it, it
indicates that oncoming drivers and turning drivers will be affected by glare.
AA president Edmund King said that while most drivers respond appropriately
to the glare of the sun, following their instincts by slowing down until it is
safe. Other drivers should expect this to occur, he added.
He said the "particularly nasty" incidents of dazzling sunlight
occur when the sun suddenly appears as the driver turns a corner or when it
comes from behind trees and buildings. Drivers cannot expect the glare to go
away quickly, Mr King warned, saying that if it takes just 100 yards for the
glare to disappear, a jogger, pedestrian or cyclist may have appeared.
Furthermore, drivers who overtake in low sunlight could face a road traffic
accident claim, with Mr King suggesting this could even lead to a custodial
sentence.
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