The Sacramento Police Department urges motorists to exercise caution during morning and evening commutes when sun glare can make driving hazardous.
Many of Sacramento's streets are laid out along an east-west and north-south grid. During this time of year, police note, sunrise and sunset coincide with morning and evening commutes for many motorists. Glare most affects drivers when the sun is just above the horizon in the first hour of sunrise and the last hour before sunset.
Two years ago, they city of Sacramento had multiple fatal and serious injury collisions in which sun glare was reported as a factor, according to a Police Department news release.
Police offer several tips to reduce sun-glare conditions:
• Keep the inside and outside of your windshield clean.
• Make sure windshield wipers are in good working order.
• Keep the washer fluid reservoir full in case you need to clean your windshield while driving.
• Wear polarized sunglasses.
• Keep your visor in good working order and clear items that may restrict its use.
• Avoid using high-gloss dashboard cleaners that leave a highly reflective shine.
• Maintain enough space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to allow ample time to react.
• Anticipate that sometimes pedestrians don't realize you can't see them.
• Adjust your driving around areas that you know have sun-glare problems.
• Avoid using cleaners that may leave streaks that refract sunlight, making it difficult to see.
Police also advise pedestrians to be cautious when crossing east-west roadways during these periods and to recognize when motorists have sun in their eyes.
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