Practical Ways to Manage Sun and Headlight Glare
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
Managing glare effectively combines a few habits - using the visor or polarized sunglasses, increasing following distance slightly, and never staring directly at the light source, whether it is the sun or oncoming headlights.
Glare, whether from the sun or from headlights, is impossible to eliminate entirely, but a few habits reduce how much it actually impairs your driving.
Simple Tools That Help
A sun visor and a pair of polarized sunglasses both meaningfully cut down on the intensity of glare during low-sun conditions like sunrise or sunset.
Adjusting Following Distance
Increasing following distance slightly during periods of strong glare gives more reaction time if visibility is briefly compromised.
The One Habit to Avoid
Staring directly at the light source, whether sun or oncoming headlights, only worsens temporary vision impairment, which is a related concern already covered in our guide to dealing with headlights from other vehicles.