Drivers outraged over sunglasses rule that could lead to £5,000 fine

Driving can be difficult and stressful at times, with many of us using clothing items such as driving gloves, a pair of dedicated driving shoes or even a booster seat to ensure our safety behind the wheel.

However, car and vehicle financing company CarMoney has highlighted seven common clothing items that many motorists wear, but could land you with a significant fine.

Items include long skirts or dresses, flip flops or sliders, and surprisingly sunglasses, with drivers spotted wearing any of these possibly facing a £5,000 penalty charge.

However many motorists disagree with the sunglasses rule - and argue that they actually make it safer to drive in certain conditions.

It is recommended that drivers use the sun visor in the car, rather than sunglasses, as sunglasses can be too dark to drive in and block your peripheral vision.

Many Wales Online readers disagreed with this advice and took to Facebook to share their stories of needing to wear sunglasses while driving.

One person said: "Absolutely ridiculous…if I can’t wear my sunglasses I’d be as blind as a bat driving & could guarantee I run the risk of an accident, in the summer or winter…my eyes are really sensitive to bright light."

Another said: "That makes no sense. It is safer to wear sunglasses if the sunlight is blindingly strong."

Many people disagree with the sunglasses rule. (Getty Images/ iStockphoto)

A third person raised the point of the visor not being effective, they said: "So I'm 4 foot 10 and the visor doesn't cover my eyes so I'm allowed to drive being blinded by the sun rather than wear sunglasses?"

Also: "What's wrong with sunglasses!? It's many times worse without them!"

Another person admitted they had an accident because they forgot their sunglasses: "I MUST wear sunglasses when driving or I sneeze constantly. I once forgot them on a bright day, and ran into the back of a stationary car, blinded by the sun's glare."

It is clear that for many readers sunglasses are an essential part of their driving kit and preparation and believe they would struggle to drive without them.

You can read more about the motoring rules and fines here.

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