Tips to fighting the sun while behind the wheel

[wendy]

I was driving this afternoon when suddenly I could not see a thing because the sun was in my eyes.  I have been driving since I was 17 but never experienced something like it before.
I had to stop.  I removed my glasses in case it was them, but I still couldn't see anything.

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I too have experienced the sun directly on the horizon and shining in my eyes while driving on Blossom Hill Road. I was not expecting the sun to be so direct and blew through a very busy intersection on a red light. One car on my right went through his light just in front of me, another car stopped upon seeing me, a third was making his left turn on a green arrow and headed in the same direction as I was going, and a fourth car was turning right also on a green light headed in my same direction.

The last two blasted their horns at me, rightfully so. It is a miracle that I didn't hit anyone and no one hit me. If there had been a collision I would have been at fault.

My solution is now to pull over and park or move into a parking lot for about 10 minutes until the sun has cleared the horizon. It is far better to be 10 to 15 minutes late, avoid a collision and not take a side trip to the hospital or morgue.

Barbara Turnage

San Jose

A I receive about 1,000 questions a week and am constantly surprised at the reaction from readers to questions I initially dismiss. Kay's concerns drew a huge response, so off we go into the sunset.

Q I would recommend mirror finish sunglasses.

Wilson Liu

A And ...

Q Here is a possible solution that I got from Mom years ago, when her sun visor was inadequate.

She took a Manila folder, cut it to the length of the visor then stapled it together on the long side. Then it is slipped over the original visor.

It is wider than the original, thus providing more protection from the sun. It could also be moved rearward when used on the side windshield to cover the gap at the end of the original visor. This provided a visor that was wider than the original and allows you to make an adjustment that blocks the sun farther down than before. I still use Mom's modification on my cars. It works well for me.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mr-roadshow/ ... hind-wheel

[Misspears]

tha22222

[annie]

I find it difficult in the winter when the sun is so low, tha22222

[Jeanne]

Thanks for this posting, very useful. x Jeanne

[wendy]

It was because the sun was so low, and so red.  My son was driving behind me, and he said it was exactly the same for them, they suddenly could not see a thing.
It was really scary.