Drivers could be fined as much as £2,500 for wearing sunglasses at the wheel.
But did you know motorists could also be fined for NOT wearing sunglasses while driving?
Drivers will be getting their shades out this weekend as the North East basks in balmy conditions.
The Hull Daily Mail reports rule 237 of the Highway Code states that drivers must slow down or pull over if dazzled by bright sunlight.
If drivers don’t do this and they’re not wearing sunglasses to protect their vision from the glare, they run the risk of being convicted of careless driving.
The offence means an on-the-spot fine of £100 and up to three penalty points on your licence - or motorists could go to court and face a fine of up to £2,500 and nine penalty points.
It is illegal to wear certain types of sunglasses while driving dependent on their strength.
Sunglasses are divided into four categories based on how much light they filter out.
Most sunglasses will be category two - meaning they filter between 18-43% of light and are suitable for driving.
But if you have category four sunglasses - which let less than 8% of light through - they are illegal when driving.
In the UK sunglasses must be labelled and show the filter category number and category four should be labelled ‘not suitable for driving and road use’.
Variable tint lens sunglasses are also not suitable for driving. The tint on these glasses becomes darker when exposed to sunlight, but modern car windscreen glass filters out UV rays and means they won’t work.
According to the AA: “Filter category four lenses only transmit between 3-8% of light and are not suitable for driving at any time.”
