Drivers in London are urged to stay wary as the summer draws nearer as a little-known Highway Code rule could see them fined up to £5,000 for failing to wear sunglasses on a sunny day. According to the "Hot weather " section of the Highway Code, drivers need to slow down or pull over if they are "dazzled by bright sunlight". The AA cited glare as one of the main causes of road traffic accidents and states 'the right pair of sunglasses can prevent it'.
However, deciding which sunglasses to wear is a tricky subject as you can be penalised for the type you wear - and also if you choose to not wear them at all. READ MORE: Aussie visits London and posts TikTok showing 'how dirty' city is but Londoners point out key detail If caught committing this offence, you could receive an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points added to your licence. Those who contest the penalty and are unsuccessful may face a higher fine of up to £5,000, depending on the severity of the offence.
In order to ensure safe driving, the AA sought advice from The Federation of Manufacturing Opticians regarding suitable sunglasses for drivers. The lenses should meet two essential criteria: maintaining clear vision and allowing sufficient light to reach the eyes. However, the AA has issued a warning that even wearing sunglasses while behind the wheel could potentially breach the Highway Code.
Sunglasses intended for general use might be too dark for driving, and some fashion frames could limit peripher.
