Tips for low sun driving conditions

For transport companies, removals drivers and anyone else who is constantly on the road, the winter months are the hardest of all; driving conditions can be treacherous and vehicles become more vulnerable. The Institute of Advanced Motorists have set up a website that provides some fantastic tips on maintaining your safety, and your car or van, during winter.

We particularly liked their advice on dealing with low sun, a problem that will have been exacerbated by the recent clock change. Whilst snow or ice may seem harder to deal with they aren't present all the time, but low sun can be a day to day difficulty.

The IAM make the following suggestions for planning your journey:

• Keep sunglasses in the car all year round
• Low sun and dirty windscreens means more risk of being dazzled as the sun catches the dirt on your windscreen
• Clean your windows - inside and out- at least once a week
• Keep your washer bottles topped up with screenwash
• Change your windscreen wipers every year

Once you're actually on the road they say:

• If the sun is behind you, it's in the eyes of drivers coming towards you and they might not see you
• Don't look directly into the sun
• If you can't see, slow down
• Keep an eye on the vehicle behind, in case you're not seen against the sun
• Low sun behind can dazzle you through your mirrors so be ready to dip the mirror and check over your shoulder for vehicles in your blind spot
• If you see shadows ahead across your path, make sure you can see into them and slow down before you reach them