National Sunglasses Day has arrived just in time for the start of summer! Since so many of us are taking to the roads for our next big Road Trip Adventure, we thought it would be great to highlight some of our fave sunglasses for driving. It’s important that a driver have clear, unfettered visibility while on the road, and that includes proper eye protection.
Did you know that poor vision is cited as one of the leading causes of car accidents? You can avoid adding yourself to the statistics by ensuring that you get regular eye exams, and wear safe sunglasses while on the road. Doctors recommend that folks between the ages of 40-64 get an examination every 2-3 years and people 65 and older to go every 1-2 years. If you need corrective lenses, one of the ways that you can best care for your eyes is ensuring that you purchase prescription sunglasses if you need them or transitional lenses which serve dual purpose.
When choosing a pair of sunglasses, it’s recommended that you choose frames that sit properly on your face snugly and securely, and which are not too thick as to distract peripheral vision. It’s important that you choose polarized sunglasses which are tested for blocking UVA/UVB rays for maximum protection and clarity. Anti-Glare coating can also help with extreme sun glare on super bright, clear sky days, and it can also reduce glare in the evening hours from oncoming headlights.
It’s recommended that you choose tinted lenses over clear, but avoid the temptation to buy colorful tints such as blue or pink or green or red; the optimal tint is grey, followed by amber and copper. Vividly tinted sunglasses can hamper a driver’s ability to properly tell if a signal light has changed, and may lead to increased risk of car accidents due to poor vision. Save the costume lenses for the beach or a day out on the boardwalk!
Let’s take a look at some great options for sunglasses for drivers:
This 3 Pack Polarized Sunglasses Matte Finish Multiple Color Choices for $21.99 is an incredibly affordable option that allows you to pick and choose what tints work best for you! Place a pair in each of your cars and carry on on hand for whatever you need. It’s great for vacation travel, too, because these budget friendly sunglasses won’t break the bank to replace should you leave them behind.
The AO Original Pilot Sunglasses come in multiple frame finishes and Polarized tinted lenses to suit every driver’s needs. Our favourite is the gold frame with gray tint, because it has a charming modern style with retro aesthetics. It’s also lightweight and comfortable.
The Maui Jim Lighthouse Rectangular Glasses are a bit pricey, but worth every penny! They’re lightweight, have excellent light filtering, are polarized, and come in your choice of safe tints for driving. They’re also rather stylish and fairly timeless in design, so they’ll be in style for years to come.
The Persol PO3268S Rectangular Sunglasses are polarized and come in a variety of tints. Their lightweight acetate frame makes them very comfortable, so light you’ll almost forget you’re wearing them.