"Golden hour" for photographers can be "black" for drivers

Photographers love the so-called golden hour – the short period after sunrise and before sunset when the light is warm, soft, and the shadows are long and aesthetic. At this time, the sun is low, its rays travel a longer path through the atmosphere, so the light is colored with a yellowish or reddish tint.

But for drivers, this romanticized light becomes a real test. The sun sets directly at eye level, and the car window acts as an additional light diffuser. What looks beautiful in a photograph can become instantly disastrous on the road.

September challenges in Lithuania

September is a special month for Lithuanian drivers. The days are getting shorter by almost three hours, so more and more people are driving during the “golden hour” during their daily commute:

In early September, the sun rises at ~6:20 and sets at ~20:15.
Mid-September – sunrise ~6:50 AM, sunset ~7:30 PM.
At the end of the month – sunrise ~7:20, sunset ~18:45.

This means that drivers on their way to work in the morning often look directly at the rising sun, and in the evening directly at the setting sun. Even if the sun is shining behind you, it can dazzle another driver in the oncoming lane or a pedestrian crossing the street.

Insurer warnings

Insurance companies in Lithuania have repeatedly drawn attention to this problem:

Gjensidige reports that in 2024 the number of incidents caused by solar glare doubled from 27 to 53. The average damage was around 1.7 thousand euros, and the total amount was almost 90 thousand euros.
BTA emphasizes that the blazing sun is dangerous not only directly, but also through reflections from wet roads or other cars. The company encourages you to wear sunglasses and even stop in a safe place if necessary.
Compensa recommends that you always wear sunglasses and keep a safe distance during the warm season, as poor visibility combined with stones flying from under the wheels of other cars can put a strain on your wallet.
ERGO points out that dents or scratches on the front side of the glass are particularly dangerous – they scatter rays even more and increase glare.
Lietuvos draudimas notes that after a darker winter, drivers are not yet accustomed to bright light, which is why accidents increase in spring and autumn.

Global facts

The problem of solar glare is not unique to Lithuania.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 9,000 accidents occur each year due to glare.
Scientific studies show that the risk of fatal accidents increases by 16% in bright sunlight.
In the United Kingdom, as many as 35% of traffic accidents related to environmental visibility problems are caused by the glaring sun.

How can a driver protect himself?

Clean your windows – both inside and out. Replace your wiper blades on time and use the right washer fluid. Grease stains scatter light and increase glare.
Use polarized glasses – they reduce reflections from the road and other cars.
Use sun visors – they can reduce the flow of sunlight not only from the front, but also from the side.
Do not look directly at the sun – if the sun’s rays are directly blinding, move your gaze closer to the right side of the road – this helps you maintain your trajectory.
Drive more carefully – momentary blinding can mean you won’t see a pedestrian or cyclist.

Remember that it’s not just you who is blinded – even if the sun is shining at your back, it blinds other road users.