Sun glare while driving may start to be a bigger issue now that we are in October. It is worse in the fall, when the sun moves closer to the horizon and sets in line with Tucson’s east/west streets. This means the worse times will hit if you commute during sunrise/sunset.
The bright light can cause temporary blindness that distorts traffic control devices and makes it difficult to see the cars around you. During the fall and winter months, the sun is naturally lower in the sky. Therefore when light hits the surface, it will also reflect that at a lower angle than it does in the summer, when the sun is much higher in the sky.
Sun glare is also a little more dangerous when the sun sets behind you. During sunset, sunlight bounces off your rearview mirror or reflects off traffic lights ahead, which will also have a blinding effect. The city of Tucson Department of Transportation is reminding everyone to slow down, look closely for people walking and on bikes.
