With summer on the horizon, motorists are being warned about a law that could land them in trouble. Rule 237 isn’t well known but could lead to a hefty fine, court appearance, or worse
Drivers are being warned of a little-known law that could land them in massive trouble this summer – wearing the wrong sunglasses. With the sun finally making an appearance this week many motorists grabbed their shades and got behind the wheel.
With more hot weather on the way later this month, most of Britain’s 35million drivers are unaware they could face a hefty fine due to an obscure law. If your sunnies are too darkly tinted they will not be ‘legally roadworthy’.
A driver who crashes after being ‘dazzled’ by bright sunlight could be charged with careless or dangerous driving. It’s all down to Rule 237 of the Highway Code, which says you must slow down or stop if you are dazzled by the sun.
A spokesman for driving experts Quotezone.co.uk said this week that the rule meant that it was driver’s responsibility to ensure their vision was not impaired in any way. He said simply by wearing a pair of ‘fashion’ sunglasses or ones which were ‘too darkly tinted’ could lead to a court appearance if it caused a prang.
Most sunglasses are ‘category 2’, which means they have a ‘slight tint’ and transmit between 18-43% of light – which makes them suitable for driving. Sunnies in category 4, however, are completely unsuitable for driving, transmitting as little as 3% of light – making it ‘too dark’ to see properly on the roads.
Lucy Allcourt, 34, of Maidstone, Kent, said she had ‘no idea’. The stationery firm boss said: “I had absolutely no idea that some sunglasses were basically illegal to drive in. Mine are prescription ones, so they are fine, but some of the other ones I’ve had have been real cheapos and probably didn’t help my vision at all.”
Drivers should check which category their sunglasses are before getting behind the wheel.
Motorists could face charges for dangerous driving if it falls far below the standard and expected skills of a competent and careful driver. The penalties for this offence reach up to 11 points on the licence, unlimited fines – £5,000 in magistrate’s court – as well as five years in prison.
Greg Wilson, the founder of Quotezone.co.uk, said: “Inappropriate eyewear could put you at risk of fines, penalty points or worse. Sunglasses are labelled in four categories to show if they’re suitable for road use.
“The average pair of sunnies are ‘category two’ and are therefore appropriate for driving. However, darker sunglasses in ‘category four’, any small fashion glasses, yellow tinted glasses or a pair with large side arms can be deemed too dangerous to drive in.
“Any driver wearing inappropriate sunglasses could be subject to a dangerous driving charge – which potentially comes with hefty fines, penalty points and even prison time.
“It’s your responsibility to make sure your vision isn’t compromised, if you don’t protect your eyes properly from the sun and you have an accident, you could invalidate your car insurance.”