Sunglasses driving rule that could cost motorists £5,000 this summer
Experts are warning drivers about a hidden sunglasses rule that could result in them being hit with a hefty fine if broken. Thousands of motorists are unaware that wearing certain types of sunglasses whilst behind the wheel is actually illegal.
And with extended British sunshine creating challenging road glare conditions for road users, Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive, has highlighted the legal duties drivers face when driving in summer.
He said: "The fundamental legal principle here is straightforward – drivers have positive obligations under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to maintain clear vision and full control of their vehicle at all times.
"Highway Code Rules 93 and 237 specifically address these duties, and failure to comply can result not only in penalties but also legal liability and potential impact on insurance claims."
Rule 93 states that drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres, whilst Rule 237 requires drivers to slow down or stop if dazzled by bright sunlight.
Daniel added: "Contrary to popular belief, the issue isn't simply about following product guidelines – it's about meeting your legal duty of care.
"In my assessment, any eyewear that impairs your ability to assess road conditions, spot hazards, or react appropriately could constitute a breach of these fundamental obligations."
The penalties reflect the seriousness with which the law treats vision-related driving offences. Motorists face charges of careless driving under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which can result in fixed penalties of £100, three penalty points, or in court proceedings, fines reaching £5,000 and up to nine penalty points.
"If inappropriate eyewear contributes to an accident, drivers may face increased legal liability and insurance complications, as they've potentially failed to meet their statutory duty of care."
The legal obligations work both ways, creating what experts describes as a "careful balancing act" for drivers.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Failing to wear appropriate eyewear when bright sunlight creates dangerous conditions can equally result in penalties for driving without due care and attention.
Daniel said: "Generally speaking, the law requires drivers to take reasonable precautions to maintain safe vision.
"This means planning ahead – keeping suitable eyewear accessible and being prepared to adjust or remove it as conditions change."
Caution is advised as some sunglasses may be deemed inappropriate due to their tint level.
UK regulation requires all sunglasses to be categorised and labelled with a category number that indicates the strength of the tint and the appropriate time of day for their use, which ranges from zero to four.
Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: "Carrying a spare pair of legal sunglasses in your glove box is essential during these brighter months especially in the UK when we don't know when the sun will appear.
"Wearing the right pair of sunglasses will help keep yourself and other road users safe this summer - inappropriate eyewear could put you at risk of fines, penalty points or worse.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
21 minutes ago
- Daily Record
NHS consultant admits 'flagrant breach of confidentiality' during Sandie Peggie gender dispute
Dr Kate Searle was. on the stand at a. tribunal. A consultant sobbed as she spoke about her involvement in a dispute between a transgender doctor and a gender-critical nurse - as well as admitting a "flagrant breach of confidentiality", a tribunal heard. Sandie Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Fife, on Christmas Eve 2023. She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment and cited concerns about "patient care". Ms Peggie has lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination; and victimisation. On Wednesday, consultant Dr Kate Searle admitted she sought out a witness to patient safety allegations made by Dr Upton, which occurred previously in December 2023 but were unreported. Dr Searle sobbed when the woman was mentioned and alleged that the healthcare worker "did not want to be involved in this for fear that, as a mixed race person, she feared Ms Peggie's views about her race would affect her going forward working in our department with Ms Peggie". Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. During cross-examination by Ms Peggie's barrister, Naomi Cunningham, Dr Searle admitted she had not been subject to disciplinary proceedings for it. Dr Searle agreed that the witness was "the only person who was likely to be able to shed light on Dr Upton's claim that Ms Peggie refused to engage", in a resuscitation unit, however, she argued with Ms Cunningham about the woman's recollection of the incident. Ms Cunningham said the healthcare worker "gave a clear answer that factually contradicted Dr Upton, as she said she recalled a conversation between Beth and Sandie, although couldn't recall details", during an internal probe, the tribunal heard. However, Dr Searle argued three times about the witness's recollection and concluded that the healthcare worker was "contradicting herself", and said twice that she could not "recall when it happened". She said she "couldn't recall" when she spoke to the healthcare worker, and admitted sending an email to 19 consultants on December 29 2023, describing the comments allegedly made by Ms Peggie as "questioning her (Dr Upton's) whole being" the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham asked if the doctor got in touch with the investigation manager to "confess that you had left confidentiality in ruins" with an email to 19 consultants sent on December 29 2023, regarding the dispute which offered "support" to Dr Upton and to "condemn the actions" of Ms Peggie. Dr Searle said: "I did not." She denied attempting to "bend the rules and transgress boundaries" by accompanying the junior doctor to an investigation meeting, and was accused by Ms Cunningham of "turning up the temperature and increasing the emotional heat of the Datix report", the tribunal heard. Datix is a system used in healthcare settings to report incidents and manage risk, with a view to improving care. Dr Searle said: "I reported it at time as I saw fit." Ms Cunningham said: "If the normal rules had been followed you wouldn't have been allowed to be present for Dr Upton's interview." It was put to her that approaching a witness was a "flagrant breach" of confidentiality. Dr Searle said: "In hindsight, yes." The barrister said priorities were "surprising", and added: "It seems you were more shocked by Sandie's refusal to play along with the pretence Dr Upton is a woman than about allegations of abandoning patients in resuscitation." Dr Searle said: "We didn't initially see they were big patient safety issues but, once it was all reported, we see they are." She admitted adding the word "rapist" to a Datix report although Dr Upton's account referred to a comment about prisons, the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham said: "You have added the word 'rapist' to the Datix haven't you?" Dr Searle said: "What makes that comment so offensive and intimidating is the inference it is like Isla Bryson who is convicted male rapist, which is why its important to mention that on Datix." She told the tribunal: "I would not have known what sex Dr Upton was assigned at birth." The consultant said she believed Ms Peggie had been cleared during a disciplinary "due to lack of evidence", and "believed and still do, that this was a hate incident", the tribunal heard. The tribunal continues.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Woman killed in crash near Inverness airport named as driver remains in critical condition
Alison Campbel died at the scene near Inverness Airport following a crash between a car and a van. A woman who died following a crash between a car and van near Inverness Airport has been named as 65-year-old Alison Campbell. The crash happened at around 3.30pm on Tuesday, July 22, on the A96 Inverness to Nairn road approximately one mile east of the airport roundabout, and involved a red Vauxhall Insignia car and a white Ford Transit Tipper van. Alison, the passenger in the car, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car, a 69-year-old man, was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where medical staff describe his condition as critical. The driver of the van was uninjured. Sergeant Kate Finlayson, of Police Scotland, said: 'Our thoughts are with Alison's family and friends at this difficult time. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. 'Enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the crash are ongoing. I'd like to thank everyone who has provided information so far and ask anyone else who saw what happened or has dash-cam footage to come forward.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2130 of 22 July, 2025.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Teen rapist jailed for seven years after after horrific campaign of abuse
Kyle Jackson, from Paisley, has been described by police as 'a dangerous man" after he carried out horrifying crimes across a number of years. A Scots teenager who carried out a series of serious sexual crimes over a two-year period has been jailed for seven years. Kyle Jackson, 19, from Paisley, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, July 23, after being found guilty of rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. His campaign of abuse against multiple victims took place between September 2020 and October 2022. Jackson was convicted following a major police investigation and a trial at the High Court in Paisley last month. The court also handed him a non-harassment order, designed to protect his victims from further harm. Detective Sergeant Jonathan Campbell, who led the investigation, described Jackson as 'a dangerous man who carried out these horrifying crimes across a number of years.' He added: 'This outcome was made possible thanks to the victims who came forward and reported him and I commend them for the strength they have shown during the investigation and court proceedings. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Our thoughts remain with them, and I hope this sentencing offers them some comfort as they move forward with their lives. 'Officers carried out extensive enquiries during the course of this investigation, and I would like to reassure our communities that we are committed to investigating all reports of sexual crimes. We remain determined to bring those responsible to justice no matter how much time has passed. 'I urge anyone who has been the victim of any offence of this nature to come forward to police – you will be fully supported by our officers and partner agencies.' Anyone wishing to make a report can contact Police Scotland on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
