After-Rain Low-Sun Driving Checklist | JUFO

The Met Office update at 03:33 on Tuesday 13 October says the morning rain across London and South East England will clear Kent by early afternoon, followed by sunny spells while conditions stay breezy and mild. For an evening journey, that change creates a different risk from the morning commute: low autumn sun reflecting from wet tarmac, glass and vehicle bodywork.

The answer is a short visibility reset and calmer driving. Bright sunshine does not mean the road has dried, and a clear sky does not remove the need to leave space.

Reset the windscreen before the return journey

Clean the outside of the windscreen and wipe the inside surface so that a thin film, fingerprints or heater residue cannot scatter sunlight. Check that the wipers clear without smearing and that screenwash is available. Clean mirrors, camera lenses, headlamps, rear lamps and number plates while the car is safely parked.

The Highway Code maintenance guidance says windscreens and windows must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision. It also calls for lights, demisters, wipers and washers to be kept in working order. Do this before moving, rather than trying to solve glare while driving.

Slow down if the sun takes away your view

Use the vehicle's sun visor and wear suitable prescription sunglasses if needed in daylight, but never let tinted lenses restrict your vision as daylight fades. Do not stare directly into the sun or rely on the car ahead as a guide. Read lane markings, signs and the road edge well before the sun reaches your line of sight.

Rule 93 of the Highway Code is direct: slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by bright sunlight. Stop only in a genuinely safe place, not in a live traffic lane, on a bend or where the vehicle creates a new hazard.

Treat wet-road reflections as a warning

Patches of surface water can remain after the rainband has passed, especially in shaded areas, near drains and on roads beneath trees. Reflected sunlight can hide standing water, road markings, pedestrians or cyclists for a moment. Reduce speed before the difficult view, increase the gap and keep steering, acceleration and braking smooth.

The Highway Code says stopping distances in wet weather will be at least double those required on dry roads. That remains relevant after the rain stops. If steering feels unusually light or unresponsive, ease off the accelerator and slow gradually; do not brake or steer sharply.

Use lights for conditions, not habit

As sunny spells turn to dusk, use dipped headlights when needed to see and be seen. Check that automatic lights have actually switched on rather than assuming the system has responded to changing conditions. Do not use fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced, and switch them off when visibility improves so that other road users are not dazzled.

Give people outside the car more margin

Low sun and reflections can make cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and horse riders harder to pick out, particularly near junctions and crossings. Scan twice before turning, leave extra room and avoid rushing an overtake. A few extra seconds are a better trade than committing to a manoeuvre with an incomplete view.

Run the same five-minute check on both cars

If different family members use different vehicles, do not assume the second car is ready because the first one is. Check the windscreen, wipers, washer fluid, lights, mirrors, tyre condition and the location of emergency equipment in each vehicle. Secure bags and loose objects before setting off, then reassess the route and light as the evening develops.

Sources: Met Office: London and South East England forecast; The Highway Code: drivers and motorcyclists; The Highway Code: adverse weather; The Highway Code: vehicle maintenance, safety and security.