Driving sunglasses aren't just a fashion statement. When you're on the road, shades can increase visibility, making the freeways and surface streets a safer place for you and other drivers. The right pair of driving sunglasses can also protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, warding off premature aging and vision conditions. You'll find no shortage of driving sunglasses to choose from; take your time and weigh all the options before making your selection.
Select gray or brown lenses for driving. These colors reduce glare without changing your perception of colors, both essential factors for driving sunglasses. Though less common, green lenses also fit the bill. Avoid extremely dark lenses as well as amber and yellow hues. These types of lenses may alter your perception of color.
Choose polarized lenses, or lenses with other types of anti-reflective coatings to further reduce the plentiful glare encountered on the road.
Go with lenses made of polycarbonate for extra protection in the case of an accident. This isn't essential, but may help protect your eyes under extreme circumstances.
Look for tags that read "ANSI Z80.3" or "CSA Z94.5." This means that the shades meet minimum standards for impact, UV light protection and visible light protection. UV protection helps you prevent damage to your eyes during long, sunny drives.
Check the lenses for highly distorted reflections. Heavy distortion is a sign of improper lens molding and may lead to headaches on the road.
Try the frames on for comfort. Make sure the frames block light from the sides, as well as the front. To avoid distraction while driving, go with frames that don't slide down your nose.
