Not all sunglasses are suitable for driving. This is the model that you should absolutely avoid wearing while driving according to Road Safety.
As soon as there is a ray of sunshine, and especially during the summer season, all motorists adopt this reflex: keep a pair of sunglasses close at hand, to avoid being dazzled on the road. But few people know precisely the rules to adopt in case of good weather. Are we really allowed to wear them while driving? Are all glasses the same?
If the Highway Code does not stipulate anything on this specific subject, apart from having to reduce your speed in the event of poor visibility conditions (such as a blinding sun), Road Safety recommends wearing sunglasses.to protect you from glare when the weather is bright”. However, a certain pattern is “strongly not recommended for driving a vehicle” and too few drivers know it.
According to the European standard ISO 12312-1, sunglasses are classified into five categories, depending on their ability to filter light. Category 0 does not protect against UV and mainly has an aesthetic aim, categories 1 and 2 are suitable for low to medium light, while category 3 is suitable for strong sunlight. But it is the last category that poses a problem for driving. “The lenses must not be too dark so as not to alter color vision. Category 4 lenses (standard no. EN 1836) are strongly not recommended for driving a vehicle”thus warns Road Safety.
Indeed, these lenses are initially designed for extreme brightness and reverberation, such as in high mountains for example, but some people still choose them for everyday activities because they offer the best possible protection for the eyes. The problem is that they block between 92% and 97% of the brightness and can therefore modify the perception of contrasts and colors, in particular of signs or traffic lights. Another risk: going from a very sunny area to a tunnel or a shadowy area while wearing category 4 glasses causes almost total darkness for several seconds, which is extremely dangerous. This is why they are labeled “prohibited for driving” by manufacturers, like certain medications for example.
To avoid any danger while driving, or any risk of fines, it is better to opt for glasses suitable for driving. Moreover, frames that are too wide or thick are also not recommended, as they can obstruct the field of vision. Category 3 glasses are therefore the most recommended because they offer maximum protection without obscuring your vision too much. They are often offered with a polarizing filter, which is completely authorized, and which can eliminate unpleasant reflections. The ideal choice, both when driving and to protect your eyes during a seaside vacation!
In practice, fines are rare: the police do not necessarily take the time to check the category of glasses. On the other hand, if they do so, you may be fined 35 euros under article R412-6 of the Highway Code, which requires that the driver be able to carry out all maneuvers and have good visibility. On the other hand, if you are involved in an accident while wearing glasses that impair your visibility, things get worse. You may be held liable because you were wearing an accessory not recommended by the authorities. Of course, the rules differ if your license mentions a correction: the law requires you to wear glasses adapted to your vision, including sunglasses. In the event of non-compliance with this rule, you risk a fine of 135 euros this time and a withdrawal of 3 points.
