Sun visor or sunglasses?

[PeterA]

In the past few days, the UK has experienced something quite rare – sunny days. This has got me thinking - do I opt to use either the sun visor, sunglasses, or both.

Say I am driving along and I am facing the sun. If I solely use the sun visor, I will hopefully be able to block the sun out. However, I recall reading somewhere, sometime, that having to squint to stop yourself from being blinded by the sun makes one more tired. So, on a longer journey, not only may tiredness become an issue, but also the associated loss of concentration.

The other option is to where some sunglasses. This lessens the need to squint, and thus you're more likely to be able to concentrate better (in theory). However, there are a couple of problems with this. One reason my dad doesn't wear sunglasses (and, thus, I don't wear them) is because of how they may disguise vehicles.

For example, say it's a very bright day and you're pulling out of a junction, and part of the road is lined with trees, meaning shadows are cast on the road. Sometimes in normal circumstances it can take longer to spot a vehicle which is under the shadows, but wearing sunglasses will only make this area darker – thus, reduced visibility.

Then there's the other thing with sunglasses. Again, for example, you're at a junction, you don't spot a car, you pull out, and then you crash....airbag goes off (for sake of argument), and in a split second you have bits of sunglasses embedded in your face (including eyes). A sun visor doesn't do that.

So, what do the Advanced Driving PHers think?

Regards,
Peter

PS. I realise the sunny bubble will soon burst. However, any thoughts may come in handy for a couple of sunny days during a month in the summer...whenever they arrive.

[Distant]

Get some shades that aren't too dark and you should be fine. And you can always flip them onto the top of your head when driving through the shadows.

[Flibble]

I find this particularly awkward as I need to wear glasses to drive. This means I either wear normal glasses and get blinded (especially bad if the roads are damp), or wear sunglasses and potentially end up with reduced vision because of the tint.

Generally I wear sunglasses if it's sunny and use the sun visor to block direct glare from the sun. It's worked so far, I'm not sure if I have many other options...

[RobM77]

I never used to wear sunglasses as I was a glasses wearer, but since I've had my eyes lasered and the surgeon gave me several lectures on the benefits of wearing sunglasses I've got them on all the time when its sunny. I wear the same tough Oakleys that I go sailing or kayaking in, and I very much doubt an airbag would shatter them (yes, I realise it's an explosive charge etc etc). I find the polarisation helps hugely in cutting down reflective glare off other cars, and having my eyes fully open allows me to see so much better and thus drive more safely. I'm short in the body and my preference is to sit low in cars, so I find sun visors a waste of time anyway (and my main car doesn't really have any!). So my vote goes to sunglasses

[ADJimbo]

Maybe I'm not the best person to contribute on this subject, given I do not need to wear glasses.

I will always wear sunglasses in 'bright' conditions, combining the use of the sun visor (albeit less than half way down, if the sun is directly overhead) in exceptionally sunny conditions.

However, when faced with shadows on the road in front, I will always 'scan' harder into the darker patches, looking for objects which may be concealed than I normally would in darker conditions...

[deviant]

I wear glasses and have sunnies with prescribed lenses in them.

I have found that polarising lenses are the best for driving in. They dont really make everything look dark as such, just put a light grey tint over everything (I can wear them in shops and the like no problems) and reduce glare to almost nothing.

I have had non-polarising lenses in the past and they were too dark for my liking and did not really cut any glare or harsh reflections out.

[GingerWizard]

I read a massive article on this some time ago, (i'm sorry i can't remember where, probably a weekend supplement to a broad sheet) and since then i have invested in some decent sunglasses. ( it bascially outlined the dangers of not protecting ones eyes, and the adverse affects it can have (blindness and death most probably!)) When ever it is sunny i have them on, they are oakleys with the specfic driving lenses that reduce glare etc etc but make spotting reds greens and ambers easier. Driving with them on i have found reduces eye strain massivley and improves definition and clarity on difficult driving days (low bright sun). I pull the visor down when needed, whihc is usally when cresting a hill...

A decent pair of sunnies well cared for are an absolute must for serious drivers.

[deviant]

GingerWizard said:

I read a massive article on this some time ago, (i'm sorry i can't remember where, probably a weekend supplement to a broad sheet) and since then i have invested in some decent sunglasses. ( it bascially outlined the dangers of not protecting ones eyes, and the adverse affects it can have (blindness and death most probably!)) When ever it is sunny i have them on, they are oakleys with the specfic driving lenses that reduce glare etc etc but make spotting reds greens and ambers easier. Driving with them on i have found reduces eye strain massivley and improves definition and clarity on difficult driving days (low bright sun). I pull the visor down when needed, whihc is usally when cresting a hill...

A decent pair of sunnies well cared for are an absolute must for serious drivers.

Sounds like yours have polarised lenses in them to.

Can you occasionally see a rainbow effect on glass and see though tinted windows? Mine do the same as yours with colours and lights...no change to them at all.

They were quite a bit more expensive than regular lenses (partly due to the strength of my prescription) but well worth the cost. There is nothing worse than driving along with half an eye open and the other tearing up because of the sun!

[Flibble]

deviant said:

I have found that polarising lenses are the best for driving in. They dont really make everything look dark as such, just put a light grey tint over everything (I can wear them in shops and the like no problems) and reduce glare to almost nothing.

Mine have polarising lenses and they make a big difference. As you say, they do cost a bit more though, worth it IMO.

[Henry Hawthorne]

Never use the sun visor, always wear sunglasses.

A decent pair of sunglasses should hardly darken your vision at all, it should just stop you being dazzled by the sun whilst keeping everything clear.

[RedAlfa]

I carefully position the visor, AND use sun glasses!

[andy_s]

Haven't got a visor so am accused of being a poseur every time I'm out.

[brisel]

To the OP - I hold you solely responsible for the horrible weather forecast for this coming week! Don't tempt fate with all this talk of SUN!

Oh, an answer to the question??

Sunglasses. Except when driving towards a low sun.

[PeterA]

Thanks all for the suggestions everyone. I did get quite a bit of driving in this weekend when I went home (at uni y'see), however, I forgot my sunglasses. Which was a shame.

brisel, I'm sorry about the disappearance of the sun. But, let's be honest, it wasn't going to be that kind to stay much longer was it? In my defence I did say: "I realise the sunny bubble will soon burst. However, any thoughts may come in handy for a couple of sunny days during a month in the summer...whenever they arrive."

But then again, maybe the sun may have stayed longer if I hadn't have talked about it. Regardless of this, the advice that has been presented has been of use to me, so thanks again everyone.

Regards,
Peter

[anonymous-user]

I use both sunglasses and the visor, though I rely more on the sunglasses (when the sun is low in the sky I can't open the visor fully, it blocks too much of my view). It's easy enough to flip them onto the top of your head when going through shadowy areas and I really hate having to squint at the sun, it gives me terrible headaches after a while.

[aeropilot]

Have always used decent driving specific (brown tint) sunglasses all year round. I amazed at the amount of 'drivers' I know that think sunglasses are only for summer...

[brisel]

PeterA said:

Thanks all for the suggestions everyone. I did get quite a bit of driving in this weekend when I went home (at uni y'see), however, I forgot my sunglasses. Which was a shame.

brisel, I'm sorry about the disappearance of the sun. But, let's be honest, it wasn't going to be that kind to stay much longer was it? In my defence I did say: "I realise the sunny bubble will soon burst. However, any thoughts may come in handy for a couple of sunny days during a month in the summer...whenever they arrive."

But then again, maybe the sun may have stayed longer if I hadn't have talked about it. Regardless of this, the advice that has been presented has been of use to me, so thanks again everyone.

Regards,
Peter

Fair enough - you did add that caveat!

[EvilChap]

I have a pair of Oakleys like many here. I use them for sailing (reflection from the water is as blinding as direct sunlight) and it cuts out the glare there, and it works brilliantly on the roads as well.

I first got them in winter, and in this part of the world, for a good part of the year, driving to and from work is low-sun and thus very bright, and I find them brilliant for being able to see pretty easily without squinting when driving in these conditions, and in dappled sunlight driving under trees they are a must, as your eyes hardly have to adjust at all to changing light levels enabling you to have better vision and concentration.

[GeeksKing]

There are sunglasses specially made for driving. They have Polarized lenses which functions like a window blinds. It trapped or reflect vertical light waves and permit the horizontal light waves making an excellent view but you won't be blinded by the bright light of the sun when driving.

now, I've been thinking of a customized sunglasses which has a wireless connection with a side camera so you won't have to look for the side mirror when overtaking. I've seen a spy sunglasses from an online action cameras shop: http://www.gadgetsquick.co.uk which enables you to see from behind. It will be cool if you won't have to look at the mirrors specially when racing.

[dwilkie]

Another vote for Oakleys, I've got some of the polarised ones (not sure if they all are) and they're bloody superb, certainly don't seem to affect my vision at all.