Ever had the sun hit your windshield just right, blinding you so suddenly, you couldn’t see the road ahead? In Arizona, where blue skies are the norm and sunsets light up the horizon, sun glare isn’t just annoying — it’s dangerous. In this article, we’ll break down when it hits hardest, how it causes crashes, and what you can actually do to protect yourself (and everyone else on the road).
What Is Sun Glare?
Sun glare happens when sunlight reflects off the road, your windshield, or nearby surfaces and hits your eyes at just the wrong angle, often low on the horizon during sunrise or sunset. It’s not just about brightness; it’s the sudden loss of visibility that makes it dangerous. You’re driving down the Loop 101 in rush hour traffic, headed west at 5:30 PM, and bam — the sun drops, your visor barely helps, and you can’t see the brake lights in front of you. In Arizona, where clear skies and low humidity amplify the sun’s intensity, that glare can turn a routine drive into a split-second emergency. Sun glare hits hardest at certain times of day, and knowing when can help you stay ready.
When Is Sun Glare the Worst?
In Arizona, the worst sun glare hits during sunrise and sunset, especially during your daily commute. Picture this: you’re merging onto I-10 around 7:00 AM in Phoenix, and the sun sits right above the horizon, shooting light straight into your eyes. Or it’s 6:30 PM in Tucson, and you’re headed westbound — the sky’s on fire, your windshield lights up, and suddenly you’re driving blind at 65 mph. Glare is at its peak when the sun is low and the angle lines up with east-west roads, which means highways like US 60, Loop 202, and even major city streets become instant hazards.
And yes, the season makes it worse. In the fall and winter, the sun hangs lower in the sky, lingering longer in that blinding sweet spot. Instead of a quick flash, you get a drawn-out blast of sunlight right at eye level. It catches drivers off guard — the air feels cooler, but the glare hits harder. Spring and summer bring early sunrises and later sunsets, too, which still affect visibility during peak drive times. But it’s those winter angles — sharp, low, and persistent that turn a routine drive home into a white-knuckled blur. Beyond the theory, let’s take a look at the real dangers sun’s glare poses for drivers.
The Dangers of Driving Into the Sun
Driving straight into the sun isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s a real crash risk. When the glare hits your windshield just right, it can wipe out visibility almost instantly. You miss the pedestrian in the crosswalk. You don’t see the car stopped at a red light. And you might not even realize you’ve drifted out of your lane until it’s too late.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sun glare contributes to thousands of crashes every year, and that’s just the ones reported. In Arizona, where east-west roads cut directly across rising and setting sun paths, visibility drops can be brutal.
A study published in the journal Medicine (“Life-threatening motor vehicle crashes in bright sunlight”) found that drivers are 16% more likely to be involved in a life-threatening crash when driving in bright sunlight, and that risk shoots up to 32% for crashes that result in death. Researchers linked the danger to visual illusions caused by intense light, which can make distant objects appear closer and speeds feel slower, causing drivers to unintentionally accelerate. This effect spans all types of crashes, and not just fender benders, but high-severity wrecks requiring surgery, ICU stays, and extended hospitalization. Add that to high-speed stretches like Loop 101 or US 60, and a split-second blind spot isn’t just a moment of discomfort — it’s a setup for disaster. The danger isn’t just theoretical, but it plays out on Arizona streets every single day. But here’s the thing: while you can’t control the sun, you can control how you respond to it.
How to Prevent Sun Glare While Driving
You can’t shut off the sun, but if you’re heading west at 6 PM on a winding Arizona backroad with the sun sitting like a spotlight just above the hills, you need more than a basic visor. Here’s what you can actually do to keep yourself safe, based on what real drivers swear by (and what makes sense on long, brutal commutes):
- Get a sun visor extender. Regular visors aren’t built for short drivers or low-angle sun. Extenders add a few critical inches of coverage and make a massive difference when that “bastard star,” as one driver put it, refuses to stay out of your line of sight.
- Clean your windshield — obsessively. Inside and out. Grime, smudges, and the invisible film that builds up over time can turn sunlight into a blinding smear across your vision. A dirty windshield during golden hour is like driving through fog.
- Invest in high-quality polarized sunglasses. Skip the cheap gas station pair. Polarized lenses cut horizontal glare and can dramatically improve clarity, especially on roads with reflective asphalt or vehicles with shiny finishes.
- Add a hat with a curved brim. Ball caps or full-brim sun hats give you a bit of flexible shade when your visor fails. Many shorter drivers say it’s the only thing that helps when the visor’s too high to matter.
- Adjust your seat height. If you’re shorter and find yourself craning to see, a booster cushion or slight seat adjustment can change your entire field of view, and tuck you behind the roofline enough to dodge direct rays.
- Plan your timing. Leave 10–15 minutes earlier or later if you’re commuting during peak glare hours. The sun moves faster than you think, and even a small shift can give you a safer drive.
- Change your route when you can. East-west roads during sunrise or sunset are a nightmare. If you have a route that bends north-south, take it, even if it adds a few extra minutes.
- Use your rearview mirror to your advantage. A trick some delivery drivers use: tilt your head just enough to “hide” the sun behind the mirror. It’s not ideal, but it can give you a second of relief until the road curves or the angle shifts.
- Don’t wait until you’re in trouble. If the sun blinds you to the point where you can’t see more than 30 feet ahead, pull over. Turn on your hazards. Grab a drink. Let the sun drop.
Sun glare isn’t a minor inconvenience, but it’s a known crash risk. You don’t need a law degree to know that “I couldn’t see” won’t hold up in court after a collision. Being prepared with the right gear, timing, and tactics can be the difference between a close call and a life-changing accident. But what can you do if the accident has already happened, and sun glare was the reason?
What Happens If You Crash Because of Sun Glare?
Sun glare might be brutal, but in Arizona, it’s not an excuse. If you hit another car, a pedestrian, or run a red light because you “couldn’t see,” you’re still responsible for driving safely under the conditions.
Arizona law expects every driver to maintain control of their vehicle, no matter how bright the sky is. Under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 28-701(A), you’re required to drive at a speed that’s reasonable and prudent for current conditions, and yes, that includes driving into a blinding sunrise. If visibility drops, you’re expected to slow down, pull over, or delay your trip. Failing to do so can lead to a citation, or worse, liability in a crash.
Insurance companies know this. If a wreck happens, they’ll dig deep from traffic cam footage, sun angle data, time of day, even the direction of your route. You say glare blinded you. They’ll say you should’ve braked sooner. If you run a red light or miss a stop sign, A.R.S. § 28-644 still applies, and you have to obey traffic signals. In results, not seeing a traffic signal isn’t a legal excuse, and in Arizona, pure comparative negligence law means fault is assigned by percentage. If glare caused you to rear-end someone, you might be found 80% responsible, but still recover 20% of your damages, or vice versa if you’re the one hit.
And here’s the hard truth: visual obstructions like glare contribute to thousands of crashes each year, but most go underreported. As we’ve mentioned, NHTSA notes that glare is a factor in serious crashes, yet it rarely makes it into official reports, meaning drivers who don’t document it early may struggle later. That’s where a lawyer comes in. Proving that sun glare contributed to a crash or wasn’t a valid excuse—takes more than your word. Crash reconstruction experts, weather records, and sun-angle charts can all help build or defend your case. Whether you were hit because another driver didn’t slow down, or you’re worried glare might be used against you, you still have options and rights worth protecting.
We Know How to Handle Sun Glare–Related Accidents in Arizona
Driving into the sun isn’t just frustrating — it’s a real danger on Arizona roads, especially during those daily commutes when the low-angle light wipes out visibility. But no matter how intense the glare is, Arizona law still holds drivers accountable for staying in control.
At Esquire Law, we’ve seen firsthand how fast a bright sky can lead to a rear-end crash, a missed stop sign, or a tragic pedestrian collision, and how quickly insurance companies try to use that glare as a defense or a weapon. Our Arizona car accident lawyers know how to challenge those tactics. We work with sun-angle analysis, weather data, and expert testimony to prove exactly what happened and why it matters. If glare played a role in your crash, whether you were the victim or the driver, we can help you navigate fault, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation you deserve.