5 Reasons To Wear Sunglasses When You Drive

It's not all about the fashion statement. (Okay, the fashion statement is like, forty percent of it. Forty-five, max.) Besides looking great, wearing sunglasses while you drive can actually make you a safer, more perceptive driver. 

Obviously you don't need your sunnies in the middle of a downpour, but when you're off on those endless highways with the sun high in the sky, a quality pair of sunglasses that blocks UV-A and UV-B rays can be so beneficial to your driving that your car insurance company should probably give you a discount. (What's the harm in asking, right?) 

Today, we're breaking down the top 5 reasons you should wear your Bomber Eyewear sunglasses while driving.

 

Reason Number One: Sunglasses are just straight-up better for your eyes. 

We talk a LOT about how harmful UV-A and UV-B light rays can be, especially when you're exposed to them for a long time. One of the most common places people get "stuck" in sunny situations is during long drives.

We've all been there--it's so hot out the heat bounces off the highway and makes those sparkly mirages. We squint at the menu in the drive-thru even though it's, like, three feet in front of us. Or, pain of pains, somebody's brights flash right into your eyes just as you take a turn, and you're blinded until they pass. 

Eye protection is not a joke. On the road, keeping your eyes safe should be one of your top priorities.

 

Reason Number Two: Sunglasses provide better visibility (read: safety! safety! safety!) on the road.

Not only are sunglasses good for your eye health, they can help you be a better driver. Sunglasses are known to improve your visibility while driving because they filter out distractions like glare while also enhancing the contrast of the world around you.

This helps you better differentiate between the road, the curb, and your neighbor's mailbox (sorry, Dave) while minimizing the distractions you might get from shiny surfaces, reflective water or snow, or your neighbor's brand-new chrome motorcycle (SORRY, DAVE). 

Plus, when you're not squinting all the time, your range of vision improves. You see more in your peripheral vision, which can help you avoid oncoming cars, animals darting through traffic, or your neighbor shouting from his driveway (WE SAID SORRY, DAVE). 

 

Reason Number Three: Sunglasses can increase contrast in hazy or drizzly conditions. 

Yeah, yeah, we already mentioned the contrast thing -- but did you know wearing sunglasses when it's hazy or foggy can actually improve your visibility?

When it's foggy outside, everything looks kinda gray and boring. This can be a real danger for people on the road, especially if the fog obscures obstacles and road signs. However, tinted or polarized sunglasses--so long as it's not, like, dark out--actually improve contrast under hazy conditions, helping you differentiate between cars, objects, and your environment.

Seriously, try it! Next time you're blinded by fog and bright sunlight at the same time, slap on a pair of high-contrast sunglasses and watch the world resolve itself into solid shapes. 

 

Reason Number Four: Sunglasses reduce glare, especially when polarized. 

Glare is one of the most dangerous things drivers face on the road (besides other drivers, of course). Anything that causes even temporary vision obstruction can lead to a costly or fatal accident. 

Glare happens when sunlight, headlights, and other light sources bounce off reflective surfaces, like the metal of other cars, the surface of water, or the ultrawhite glow of snow. You might not even notice at first how much glare is affecting your driving until you're suddenly thirsty, squinting, and totally sick of that one podcast your kids love. 

Sunglasses cut through glare. Honestly, that's most of the reason they exist! Sunglasses help prevent distractions caused by glare, as well as providing improved visibility. You can't avoid what you can't see! Make everything around you glaringly obvious (get it?) with a pair of high-quality Bomber Eyewear sunglasses. 

 

Reason Number Five: Sunglasses reduce eye strain and discomfort, especially on long drives. 

There's a reason why long-haul truckers and motor sports enthusiasts love Bomber Eyewear sunglasses. Snapping on a pair of shades during a long, sunny drive can help reduce headaches, improve eye strain, and keep your eyes from going dry.

This last bit is especially true for anyone who loves driving in the open air--windows open, all those cool smells, tongue wagging in the air... (Oh, crap, we're talking to your dog again, aren't we? Hey, dogs deserve eye care, too.) 

Jokes aside, sunglasses can protect your eyes from strain, debris, wind, and more when you're on the road. Especially if you know you'll be driving for multiple hours, a high-quality pair of sunglasses can help get you through those long hours while maintaining your alertness and eye performance (it's a thing) over time. 

 

Okay, we know you're sold! We love our sunglasses, too! Check out our full range of Sunglasses here, or hop on over to our Safety section to find glasses that pull double duty as on-the-go protection and driving enhancers. When you end up buying your seventh pair of Bombers, don't say we didn't warn you!