Motorists have been warned they could face a £1,000 fine for driving in low sun.
Since the clocks went back last month, the sun will now rise and set during peak commute times.
And the CEO of Vanarama has urged drivers to remain cautious as low sunlight can distort a driver's view of the road.
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Andy Alderson, CEO, and Founder of Vanarama said: “If drivers are not prepared for driving in low sunlight, they could put themselves and other road users in danger."
The Highway Code states that failure to have proper control of vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead could leave drivers with a £1000 fine and 3 points on their license.
Vanarama have shared some vital safety tips to help drivers deal with low sunlight this winter.
Expert's safety tips to deal with low sunlight
1.Take extra car driving in wet conditions
Low sun driving conditions are made worse when the road is wet as the sun reflects off the damp surface. This creates a stronger glare that makes it even more difficult to judge spotting distances and identify hazards.
2.Keep your windscreen clean
A dirty windscreen can magnify the sun's glare so it is important to keep your windscreen clean during the winter.
Before heading out on car journeys in low sun, you should clean both the interior and exterior of the car windscreen.
3. Leave extra space between you and the car in front
When low sunlight causes a glare across the windscreen, drivers should slow down and create extra space between you and the car in front.
The extra stopping distance will give you more time to assess the road situation. If drivers feel like they do not have full control of the situation they should pull over when safe to do so.
4. Keep screen wash topped up
Before setting off, you should check that your screen wash is topped up so that you can wipe away any streaks or dirt on the windscreen during the drive.
5. Use your sun visor
Visors will reduce the amount of sun blocking your vision when driving. Using the visor also helps your eyes adjust when driving in shade after driving in low sunlight. Drivers should familiarise themselves with their visor, figuring out which angles it can be placed to block out the sun from different angles.
6. Use polarised sunglasses
In some cases, a sun visor can’t block all the low sun from entering your vision. So, you should always have a pair of sunglasses with you when driving.
Polarised lenses are a safer option over normal lenses as they are more effective at combating sun glare. They filter out the incoming horizontal light that causes glare - and only allow in vertical light that improves visibility.
7. Consider getting tinted windows
Getting your windows tinted is another way to combat low sunlight.
Getting all your vehicle’s windows tinted costs in total on average £350. Not only do tinted windows combat low sunlight they also combat bright sun in summer and help keep your car cooler in hot weather.
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