The Met Office update for London and South East England says Wednesday afternoon will stay dry with sunny spells, patchy cloud, mostly light winds and temperatures near 20°C. The London forecast shows sunny intervals at 17:00, changing to a partly cloudy evening, with sunset at 18:09. That creates a short but important transition from low autumn sun to fading light during the homeward journey.
This is different from the misty-start challenge earlier today. The evening priority is to manage glare, keep every viewing surface clear and confirm that the car's lights match the rapidly changing conditions.
Reset the glass before leaving
Clean the windscreen inside and out before moving. A thin film, fingerprints or heater residue can scatter low sunlight and turn a clear view into a bright haze. Check that the wipers clear without smearing and that screenwash is available. Clean the mirrors, camera lenses, headlamps, rear lamps, reflectors and number plates while the car is safely parked.
The Highway Code vehicle-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. A two-minute check is easier than trying to solve glare or dirty glass while driving.
Slow down before glare removes detail
Use the sun visor and suitable prescription sunglasses in daylight if needed, but do not allow tinted lenses to restrict your vision as the light fades. Look well ahead for lane markings, signals, cyclists and pedestrians before the sun reaches your direct line of sight. Never use the vehicle ahead as a guide through glare.
Rule 93 of the Highway Code says to slow down and, if necessary, stop when dazzled by bright sunlight. Stop only in a genuinely safe place away from moving traffic. Reducing speed early gives you more time to read the road without a sharp reaction when the sun appears between buildings or trees.
Switch from daytime visibility to night lighting
Do not rely entirely on automatic lights. A bright western sky may delay the system even while shaded streets, junctions and other road users become harder to see. Confirm the actual light setting at the start of the journey and check it again as sunset approaches.
Rule 113 says sidelights and rear registration-plate lights must be lit between sunset and sunrise, and headlights must be used at night except on qualifying lit roads. Use dipped headlights when needed to see and be seen. Avoid main beam where it could dazzle another road user, and do not use fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced.
Leave margin for the light transition
Keep enough distance to stop safely if the road ahead suddenly becomes difficult to read. Check mirrors before slowing and use the brakes progressively so that following traffic receives a clear warning. At junctions, scan twice for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists whose contrast can fall quickly against a bright sky or dark background.
Drive at a speed appropriate for the view, road and traffic, not simply the posted limit. Avoid a rushed overtake if glare or fading light prevents a complete assessment. A few minutes of patience protects far more time than a manoeuvre made with incomplete information.
JUFO evening-commute preparation pick
JUFO 2-in-1 Car Window Breaker and Seatbelt Cutter - £8.95
For a single vehicle, this compact tool combines a window breaker and seatbelt cutter. Secure it within reach of a belted occupant, such as in a suitable door pocket or fixed holder, and never leave it loose near the pedals. Read the instructions before you need them; it complements, but does not replace, careful driving and vehicle maintenance.
Run a 30-second dusk check
Ask four questions before setting off: is every window clear, are the correct lights on, can the vehicle stop within the visible distance, and is emergency equipment secured and reachable? Recheck the lights and your following distance as the sky changes. If glare or darkness prevents a safe view, slow down and use a suitable stopping place rather than pressing on.
Sources: Met Office: London and South East England forecast; Met Office: London forecast and sunset time; The Highway Code: bright sunlight; The Highway Code: lighting and stopping distance; The Highway Code: vehicle maintenance.
