The following relate to the dangers of sun glare while driving, and traffic safety in general. They were derived from our twitter feed @SunPosition
Sun glare if train w/b and car n/b? >>>
RT @CTVNews: Two dead in collision between Via Rail train and car in Quebec
ST-LIBOIRE, QC. -- Quebec police are not excluding the possibility that the driver of a vehicle who died when a Via Rail train rammed into his car at a level crossing planned a "voluntary act."
A one-year-old boy and the man in his 40s died in the incident on Monday morning in St-Liboire, east of Montreal.
"We have car-collision specialists who are here to try to establish exactly what happened where the impact took place," provincial police spokeswoman Joyce Kemp said in an interview.
"We cannot exclude that this could be a voluntary act and, for that reason, the investigation has been transferred to the homicide squad."…
more - http://t.co/AjAgEb2ira
Some valuable info in this article >>>
Why Polarized Sunglasses are a Must Have | Stunna Shades
Sunglasses are one of the most valuable assets to purchase when preparing for a road trip. Their importance is obvious, since they serve as protection for eyes while also providing clearer vision while driving. If you want to save yourself aggravation while driving for hours on a sunny day, as well as avoid squinting and therefore blurring your vision, then the proper eyewear is a must.
Although the primary use of sunglasses is self-explanatory (to provide shade), they also have a more technical use: sun glare. Sun glare is when direct sunlight, often suddenly unavoidable when turning around a corner or driving over hills, blinds motorists. This major hazard is a threat to the safety of both the driver, as well as other cars on the road. On summer road trips, when the days are hot and the passengers are likely otherwise distracted by friends and family, sun glare can be a dangerous cause of car accidents. Road trippers are also more likely to be driving at high-glare times, which peak during the first 15 to 45 minutes of sunrise and the last 45 minutes of sunset.
Worse yet, sun glare affects older people especially. According to a study conducted by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, older drivers are more likely to get involved in crashes if glare obstructs their vision. The study shows that 38.5 percent of drivers involved in crashes related to glare exposure were of “age 45 years and older.”…
more - http://t.co/6hUqg1TtpF
Sunset glare blamed for collision | Sun Advocate
WELLINGTON, UT - A driver temporarily blinded by the setting sun slammed into the rear of a westbound coal truck Friday night on U.S. Highway 6.
"During this time of the year, drivers have a difficult time seeing when the sun begins to set," said Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Matt Bunnell. "It is so bright, especially along that stretch of U.S. 6, drivers have reported being completely blinded." …
more - http://t.co/6H9oroiQ3n
Series of accidents that police say may have been caused by sun glare, 31-yr-old killed | WFSB
BROOKFIELD, CT - A 31-year-old woman has died after being struck and pinned between two vehicles in Brookfield during a series of accidents that police say may have been caused by sun glare.
Police say Erin Morrarty of New Milford was involved in one of the three accidents on Route 25 Monday morning and got out of her car to exchange information with another driver. Officials say an SUV struck a car that then hit Morrarty and pinned her against a van. She later was pronounced dead at Danbury Hospital.
Authorities say the first accident happened when the van was rear-ended by a car while stopped for a school bus. Police say Morrarty then struck the car that hit the van…
more - http://t.co/YGyzJWl9Qq
Did you know more teens die in motor vehicle crashes than from any other cause? @safekidsusa
No one starts their day anticipating getting into a car crash. But teens like Presley teach us that it only takes one time riding in a car without bucking up for a life to be changed forever…
more - https://t.co/A0lrwm6Epf
Bicyclist Ends Up In Back Seat Of Convertible After Crash In Cohasset | CBS Boston
COHASSET, MA – As he surveyed the mangled handlebars on his bike – just retrieved from police – 65-year-old Ed Jones still found some humor in the accident that could have easily killed him.
“There I was riding a bike,” mused the semi-retired inventor and consultant, “and then I was upside down in someone’s car.”
Jones has ridden his bike down Route 228 in Cohasset countless times over the last two decades as part of his regular loop of 20-something miles. He considers himself an incredibly careful cyclist. But on Sunday afternoon, he was hit by a silver Mercedes trying to turn into the Corner Stop restaurant.
“I’m so careful,” he says shaking his head. Ed doesn’t remember seeing the car or sensing the threat – but does recall the impact. “I remember the sound” he says. “Hauntingly so.”…
John Plunkett, 62, of Quincy, has not yet been charged in the accident – but Cohasset police indicate that’s likely.
Plunkett’s 2004 Mercedes has been impounded. He was overheard at the scene saying the sun was in his eyes…
more - http://t.co/9BpsJsfmZp
A woman in a wheel chair and her service dog were hit by a car after a driver was blinded by sunlight, police say | Wicked Local Walpole
WALPOLE, MA - A woman in a wheel chair and her service dog were hit by a car after a driver was blinded by sunlight, police say.
A driver going toward the center on Stone Street hit the woman and her service dog at about 7:45 p.m. on Saturday while they were crossing the street, prompting a hospital trip for both victims. Police are investigating the incident, but Deputy Police Chief John Carmichael said the sun’s glare likely contributed to the accident.
The victim was taken to the hospital and later checked out OK, Carmichael said, suffering some bumps and bruises. The Animal Control Officer took the woman’s small dog, Buddy, to the Tufts Veterinarian Clinic because of visible injuries, Carmichael said. The current condition of the dog is unknown.
Police have not charged the driver, who Carmichael said was likely not traveling fast on the residential road. The accident occurred near 20 Stone St. Charges might arise after the investigation, he said.
"[The driver] was traveling west, so you’re going to have that sun going over those trees in the background," Carmichael said. "That was obviously a factor in this case."…
more - http://t.co/Ky5gdsp46K
RT UN Road Safety @UNRSC: Be seen on the road! Lightly-coloured or reflective clothing makes pedestrians and cyclists more visible
picture link - pic.twitter.com/EZiykY6NRP
Don't drink & dive. Be safe in the water this summer.
RT Steve Mitchell @BlackJacksGaff: Did planners think about the glare solar panel fields cause to drivers??
picture link - pic.twitter.com/2HYpwZKmHS
Sun Glare: 8 Tips to keep safe on the roads | SuperMom
Moms often jokingly refer to themselves as taxi drivers it’s extremely important they we do everything we can to ensure the safety of our children while travelling. According to a recent report by the AA, hundreds of road accidents are caused by the glare of the sun blinding drivers every year. Here are 8 great tips to managing this safety hazard.
- Keep your windscreen clean – inside and outside. Avoid using a vinyl-based cleaner on your dashboard, which can turn the surface into a mirror. Dust particles and other foreign objects on your windscreen can reflect and distort light too.
- Don’t buy a car with a light-coloured dashboard. Coupled with the slope of the windshield, a light-coloured dashboard can be extremely reflective.
- Be extra vigilant early morning or late afternoon. Many sun glare accidents happen in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is on the horizon and little protection is offered by a car’s sun visor. If possible, try to plan your travel so that you’re not travelling in a glare. The closer the sun is to the horizon, the worse the glare will be.
- Be sensible enough to slow down immediately when the sun is blinding you. It may be tempting to carry on regardless until the glare passes, but rather don’t.
- If you’re driving at sunset, anticipate the effects of glare on you and other drivers.
- Never overtake into low sunlight when the road ahead is obscured as this risks disaster.
- It’s essential to wear a good pair of sunglasses that are dark enough to cut the glare. We specifically recommend polarised sunglasses.
- The easiest way to counteract the glare is by never forgetting your sunnies! Keep a spare pair in your glove compartment in case you do.
more - http://t.co/hFaXn12Xpc
Yes, it's winter in South Africa >>>
Motorists, beware the winter glare! | Vision Brokers
Beware the glare and keep your windscreen clean!
Winter has hit South Africa and with it comes the dangers of driving glare.
The glare of the setting sun during rush hour during this time of the year puts drivers at risk of being temporarily blinded by the dazzle of the sun.
"The South African AA says dangerous conditions are caused by glare resulting from intense sunlight reflected from the road surface, bonnet, windscreen or dashboard of your car. This danger is particularly high at this time of year as the sun sets just as most drivers are heading home from work," said 1st for Women Insurance's Executive Head, Robyn Farrell.
This dazzling effect is particularly dangerous when the road turns unexpectedly into its path or the glare appears from behind trees or buildings. Blind-spots created by the sun's glare as well as distance perception problems can easily cause crashes.
Underestimating the power of the sun's rays at this time of day is a mistake, says 1st for Women Insurance, which adds that drivers should be extra-vigilant at this time of year when it comes to joggers, dog-walkers and pedestrians.
Here are some tips for dealing with glare:
- Keep your windscreen clean, inside and outside. Avoid using a vinyl-based cleaner on your dashboard, which can make the surface more reflective.
- Keep the windscreen washer reservoir topped up, so fluid is always available when needed.
- Don't buy a car with a light-coloured dashboard. Coupled with the slope of the windshield, a light-coloured dashboard can be extremely reflective.
- Many sun glare crashes happen in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is on the horizon and little protection is offered by a car's sun-visor.
- If possible, try to plan your travel so that you're not travelling in a glare. The closer the sun is to the horizon, the worse the glare will be.
- Be sensible enough to slow down when you're being dazzled by the sun, even if it is tempting to carry on regardless until the glare passes.
- Don't overtake into low sunlight.
- It's essential to wear a good pair of sunglasses that are dark enough to cut the glare.
more - http://t.co/9W8RPwV27N
Staggering toll: Car crashes cost $871 billion a year via @usatoday
Highway crashes cost the USA $871 billion a year, new study finds. Total includes both economic costs and societal harm. Speeding, DUI and distracted driving account for most of the damage…
more - http://t.co/fAmfg9xyVj