Highway Code rule could land you with huge fine for not wearing sunglasses while driving

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Drivers have been warned that not wearing sunglasses while behind the wheel could land you with a huge fine of up to £5,000.

Summer is finally here and Scots are hoping for a season full of sunny days. However, more sun means more brightness, which can sometimes skew drivers' views on the road.

Because of this, a motoring expert has urged drivers to be cautious in the bright conditions, reports the Liverpool Echo. Andrew Jervis from ClickMechanic said: "Many of us will welcome a few days of sun, but it could spell disaster for unprepared motorists. "We all have a responsibility to drive with care and attention, and we need to be on alert for anything that can affect our ability to do that."Sun glare is often tricky to drive with as it can affect how we perceive the road conditions, while an unexpected short burst of light from behind a cloud can really harm our ability to see."It can be worse when the roads are wet after a rainy spell, with sunlight reflecting off puddles and into our eyes."It’s important to be on guard for the adverse effects of sun glare while driving, whether this is through wearing sunglasses, removing any shiny objects from the dashboard or lowering the sun visors.” The AA cited glare as one of the main causes of road traffic accidents and state "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.

It's not a legal requirement to wear sunglasses in bright conditions, but you could still be considered by police to be "driving without due care and attention" due to Rule 237 of the Highway Code.