The most dangerous time to drive is between 5 and 7 pm according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. More highway fatalities occur during this time than during any other time of the day. During this evening rush hour, in addition to a large number of cars on the road, drivers have to deal with changing light conditions. When the sun is low in the sky, it can cause significant glare the affects visibility. After sunset, drivers’ eyes must adapt to the low light conditions and on coming headlights. It is possible that many car accidents occurring during this time of day could be avoided if more people wore sunglasses during daylight hours. Doing so would enable drivers’ eyes to adapt quicker to lower ambient light so they can see better and react faster after the sun goes down. And because out eyes’ ability to adapt to changing light condition diminishes with age, wearing dark sun glasses during the day is even more important after the age of 50. This is true not just for night driving but also for tasks such as walking into a dimly lit restaurant or entering a dark theatre. The best sunglasses to wear during the day to protect night vision should block 100 % UV rays and roughly 85% of visual light. Polarized sunglasses are best advised.
If you or someone you know has a question about sunglasses or needs help with eyeglass frame selection or lens fitting, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit
The Eye Care & Surgery Center,
Google+ or
facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.
The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at
592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090,
10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and
517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.
