Staying safe on the road relies just as much on you being able to see clearly as your actual skills as a driver. From the moment you take your place behind the wheel and start your journey, your eyes are really put to the test and have to negotiate the changing light situations and also deal with dazzling light from the sun and light reflected off the roads. The right pair of sunglasses can make a huge difference, helping you to avoid distraction from blinding reflected light, known as glare. This guarantees the ultimate safety and comfort throughout your journey. Road safety is crucial and it is also important for you to be able to have fast reactions to unexpected incidents on the road.
What is Road Safety Week?
In the UK, Road Safety Week takes place from 17th to the 23rd of November. Road Safety Week is a yearly campaign that raises awareness of the importance of safety on the road for both drivers and pedestrians. Each year, around 1,700 people die on roads in the UK. This campaign aims to educate and ideally prevent tragedies happening in the future.
How do bright, sunny conditions affect your driving?
When you are driving, your view of the road can be impaired by bright reflected sunlight from surfaces like windshields, mirrors and other vehicles. At certain times of the day and especially in winter, the sun sits lower in the sky and shines directly into your eyes which can seriously limit your ability to see properly.
However, it is not just sunny conditions you have to be aware of. In snowy or wet weather, the sun also reflects off the surface of the road. Bright conditions can also affect how you perceive contrast. Contrast enables you to identify objects that are hard to see against the backdrop. Bad contrast can make it harder for you to spot pedestrians and accurately read road signs.
Is it legal to wear sunglasses while driving in the UK?
When you are driving during the daytime, sunglasses up to category 3 are the most suitable option. Higher categories will be too dark for you to drive safely. The Highway Code specifies that you should avoid wearing sunglasses when driving at night. Instead, we recommend adding an anti-reflective coating to your standard clear lenses.
What are the benefits of driving sunglasses?
Discover why wearing appropriate eyewear is important for keeping you safe on the road and the positive impact this has on your vision.
UV protection
All of our sunglasses and some of our lens packages come with UV protection and are designed to shield your eyes from both UVA and UVB rays. An anti-UV coating on your lenses is important because otherwise, overexposure to bright sunlight can cause damage to your eyes.
Enhanced visibility on the road
When driving, your vision can be obscured by dazzling glare from oncoming traffic, wet roads and reflective surfaces, like other vehicles or even your own car bonnet. Sunglasses and anti-glare eyewear can help to tackle these problems. With glare minimised, you will have a clearer and more comfortable view of the road ahead.
Improved contrast and clarity
Certain sunglasses tints are designed to heighten colour definition and enhance contrast so you can see everything on the road clearly and identify any obstacles.
Eye strain is minimised
If too much bright sunlight gets in your eyes, it will cause you to squint and strain them, leading you to feel fatigued and unable to concentrate fully. This can be particularly troublesome when you are on a long journey or driving in very sunny weather. Driving sunglasses help to reduce the amount of light that gets to your eyes, relieving eye strain and helping you to stay focused throughout your trip.
The best sunglasses for driving
It is vital that you have suitable eyewear when at the wheel of your car in order to protect yourself and others on the road. We have listed the most suitable options below.
Transitions® Drivewear® lenses
If you are trying to find the best sunglasses for driving, we recommend Transitions® Drivewear® lenses. They are very practical and uniquely optimised for driving during the day. The lenses merge light intelligence with polarisation to minimise glare in all kinds of conditions, whether it is overcast or it is a bright, sunny day. These sophisticated lenses provide a safe, comfortable and reliable visual experience when you are driving on the road. They also prevent poor vision due to rapidly changing light conditions. Transitions® Drivewear® lenses are always tinted. They are a green colour by default and vary according to the amount of light there is.
Overcast
Olive green
To enhance visibility in low light and cloudy weather conditions, the lens is olive green in colour. It offers high contrast for improved vision when you are outdoors and driving. The polarisation blocks glare which can impair your vision.
Daylight
Copper
This innovative technology means the lens becomes darker behind the windscreen of the car for reliable recognition of traffic signals and improved contrast, ensuring the optimal visual experience. The polarisation also shields against distracting glare to guarantee safety when you are in the driver’s seat.
Bright sunlight
Dark brown
When you head outside, Transitions® Drivewear® lenses go a dark-reddish brown. They filter surplus light and provide enhanced protection from very bright sunlight. They are also 100% UVA/B blocking. When the lens changes to a copper colour, it provides improved contrast for enhanced visual quality and safety. This results in quicker recognition and faster reactions on the road.
Transitions® XTRActive® lenses
Ideal for wearers who are very sensitive to bright light, Transitions® XTRActive® lenses transform from completely clear indoors to extra dark in bright conditions. They are very convenient and ideal for driving both during the day and at night-time. At night, the lenses remain clear as they only react to sunlight.
Anti-glare glasses
If you are seeking a pair of prescription glasses that you can use for driving, we suggest that you add anti-glare to our basic clear lenses. Our lens packages, from Silver above, feature an anti-reflective coating which minimises distracting glare from vehicle headlights and street lighting. This will guarantee exceptional visibility when driving in low light conditions whether it is early in the morning or late at night.
Polarised sunglasses for driving
Also ideal for driving during the daytime and in very bright weather conditions, polarised sunglasses block blinding reflected glare from car headlights and flat, horizontal surfaces, especially wet or snowy roads and other vehicles. They provide 100% UV protection, enhance contrast and help to eliminate eye strain. Just be aware that they can make LCD screens hard to see.
Varifocals for driving
As a varifocal wearer, we recommend our premium KODAK Easy2 Max Lens for driving. These sophisticated lenses provide a clear and comfortable view at all distances, whether it is the road ahead, your wing mirrors or the sat-nav inside your car that you are viewing at the time. KODAK Easy2 Max Lenses come with the standard Silver+ KODAK Clean&CleAR Lens package which is ideal for driving at night because it eliminates almost all glare from vehicle headlights and street lights. You also have the option to turn these sophisticated varifocal lenses into polarised sunglasses, standard sunglasses, or Transitions® lenses if you want to.
Gradient sunglasses tints
Gradient tints are also ideal for driving during the daytime. They are dark at the top to protect you from bright sunlight overhead and they fade gradually towards the bottom so you can see everything inside the car below the window screen.
What is the best colour tint for driving?
Different coloured lens tints have their purpose and are suited to certain activities. Our standard sunglasses come in a choice of brown, grey, or green. Meanwhile, polarised and gradient tints come in brown and grey. Here are some of the best colours for driving.
Brown sunglasses tints
Brown tints enhance contrast so you can see more clearly in bright conditions. They improve depth perception which is great for driving because you are able to better judge distance and recognise objects in the surroundings. They even provide improved contrast between reds and yellows, which are both significant colours when it comes to road safety as they are commonly used on road signs.
Grey tints
Grey tints are ideal for daytime driving and very bright conditions. They are very dark and therefore minimise the amount of bright light that gets to your eyes, preventing eye strain without negatively impacting your ability to see and perceive shapes and details. Grey tints also allow you to perceive colours in their most natural form so there is no distortion of traffic lights, road signs and lights from other vehicles for example.
Green-tinted lenses
Green tints, meanwhile, strike the perfect balance between enhanced contrast and colour accuracy. They are ideal for driving in both sunny and overcast conditions. Green-tinted lenses help to minimise eye fatigue and offer a comfortable visual experience during your journey.
What style of sunglasses are best for driving?
The best pair of driving sunglasses will depend on your vision needs and of course, your own personal sense of style.
Traditional pilot-style frames are a popular choice. First designed for pilots to help them combat bright sunlight in the skies, they are an ideal option for drivers. The teardrop-shaped lenses protect your eyes from all angles.
Sporty sunglasses are also very reliable for driving because, more often than not, they are innovatively designed for comfort and provide a secure fit.
Extra-large and big frames will keep your eyes completely covered and therefore protected from the sun.
We have handpicked a selection of trendy styles that make reliable driving sunglasses.
