With the summer sun now here, drivers are being warned about the potential dangers of wearing their sunglasses when they are not needed, which could land them with a fine, points on their licence, or even a prison sentence.
Indeed, here at DrivingExperience.com, we are cautioning motorists that consistently wearing your sunglasses behind the wheel when it isn't sunny can make you drowsy and increase your risk of falling asleep while driving.
This is because research published by The National Library of Medicine suggests that light is required by the brain to maintain its natural circadian rhythm cycles, and when our eyes do not get enough of it for a prolonged period of time, like wearing sunglasses when they're not required for instance, it could increase drowsiness levels.
Indeed, if a driver were to cause a collision which resulted in the death of another person, they could be charged with careless or dangerous driving, which carries a maximum 14 year prison sentence.
Dan Jones, Operations Manager at DrivingExperience.com, says: "Driver fatigue is a serious road safety concern, accounting for an estimated 20% of all road collisions, and the potential impact of wearing dark sunglasses when they are not required is something which is often overlooked by motorists."
"We should stress that we are not saying that people should stop wearing sunglasses; indeed, the intense brightness of the sun on the roads is a potential hazard itself to visibility that drivers need to approach with caution."
"Instead, we are advising British motorists to take extra care and take a moment to pause and think if it is truly necessary before reaching for their shades, so they are not putting themselves, or other road users and pedestrians, at risk."
Furthermore, motorists could be breaking rule 94 of The Highway Code if they wear their sunglasses when driving in a tunnel or as dusk approaches, putting them at increased risk of having a collision.
If a collision was to take place as a result of not adhering to rule 94, a driver could be committing the offence of failing to have proper control of the vehicle or full view of the road ahead, which could see them receive up to a £1,000 fine, three points on their licence or being disqualified.
Jones adds: "It is worth remembering that our eyes are meant to absorb natural light. It is what tells our brains that it is daytime. So, if the sun disappears, put the shades away and adapt your driving appropriately."
To find out more about driving safely on the roads, visit our dedicated Driving Lessons page on the Driving Experience website today to browse and book from open Gift Vouchers for available lessons and packages to improve your skills in the most extreme weather conditions.
