How to see clearly now the sun is here

WHEN the sun is at low angles in the early morning or late afternoon, it can severely limit visibility for motorists.

Ensure your windscreen is squeaky clean, inside and out, as direct sun can turn the haze which builds up on the inside of one's windscreen into an opaque blur.

For the same reason, if your windscreen is pitted and sandblasted, it might be time to invest in a replacement.

During times of low sun angle, it's important to consider that if you approach junctions, other drivers may be blinded by the sun and not see you.

This often happens when the sun is directly behind your vehicle – you can see perfectly and other road users must look into the sun to see you.

You can make yourself more visible by ensuring your headlights are on dipped beam, and ensure you can stop or swerve if other drivers pull in front of you.

Meanwhile, one of the first signs that something is wrong with your car is often when a dashboard warning light comes on.

This could be a warning about oil pressure, water temperature, or possibly a failure of safety systems, like airbags or your ABS brakes.

However, what if the warning light's bulb has failed? Then the vehicle will not be able to inform you of the problem.

In the case of an oil pressure problem, you may end up with a seized engine or other expensive repairs.

An ABS braking failure could mean you won't have that critical edge of control just when you need it most.

Adopt the habit of scanning your car's dashboard lights on startup to ensure they are fully functional and will give you the warnings you need.