How to Manage Glare From the Sun and Other Headlights
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
Managing glare means using a sun visor or sunglasses for low sun angles, slightly adjusting your gaze away from oncoming headlights, and keeping your windshield clean, since a dirty windshield scatters light and worsens glare.
Glare briefly but significantly reduces visibility, whether from a low sun angle or an oncoming vehicle's headlights, and a few simple habits reduce its impact.
Glare From the Sun
A sun visor, quality sunglasses, and simply timing trips to avoid driving directly into a low sun where possible all help manage this common source of glare.
Glare From Oncoming Headlights
Shifting your gaze slightly toward the right edge of your lane rather than staring directly at oncoming headlights reduces the temporary blinding effect, similar to the adjustment described in our guide to adjusting to light changes.
A Clean Windshield Matters More Than People Expect
A dirty or hazy windshield scatters light and meaningfully worsens the effect of any glare source, making regular cleaning a simple, low-cost improvement.