Sunset to blame for 3000 road traffic accidents
Published: 31/10/2013
Motorists are being warned to take extra care when driving at sunset after it was reported glare contributed to nearly 3000 road traffic accidents in the last 12 months.
According to the AA, 36 deaths on UK roads a year are caused by drivers being temporarily blinded by the setting sun and are therefore urging road users to slow down when driving in these difficult conditions, particularly on minor roads.
Number of road accidents caused by sun dazzle in 2012
| Road type | Number of accidents |
| Minor roads | 1222 |
| A roads | 1203 |
| B roads | 428 |
| Motorways | 52 |
AA President, Edmund King, comments:
“Where a dazzling sunset gets particularly nasty is when the road turns unexpectedly into it or the glare appears from behind trees or buildings or by reflection.
“Drivers can’t gamble that it will change quickly – in the couple of hundred yards that takes to happen, there may be a pedestrian, cyclist or jogger.
“Likewise, overtaking into low sunlight when the road ahead is obscured is risking disaster.”
Content correct at time of publication