SunlightPanama

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Panama

157. Sunlight

Sunlight can reduce visibility when the sun is low in the sky or when bright light reflects from wet roads, snow, buildings or other vehicles. Sun glare can make traffic lights, signs, pedestrians and other road users difficult to see. Drivers should reduce speed when necessary, keep the windscreen clean, use the sun visor or suitable sunglasses and leave extra space to react to hazards that may be temporarily hidden by glare.

Sunrise over a street in Cabo San Lucas. (Baja California Sur, Mexico)
Wikimedia.org • Frank Contreras Cardenas • CC BY-SA

Why can sunlight be dangerous when driving?

Bright or low sunlight can cause glare and temporarily reduce visibility, making traffic lights, signs, pedestrians and other road users more difficult to see.

When is sun glare most likely to cause problems?

Glare is often strongest when the sun is low in the sky, particularly around sunrise and sunset, and when sunlight reflects from wet roads, snow, glass or other bright surfaces.

What should you do when sunlight makes it difficult to see?

Reduce speed and increase your following distance so you have more time to react. Use the sun visor where helpful and avoid continuing at a speed that is too high for the available visibility.

Can a dirty windscreen make sun glare worse?

Yes. Dirt, grease, dust and streaks on the glass can scatter bright sunlight and make glare much worse. Keep the windscreen clean inside and outside.

Can sunglasses help while driving in bright sunlight?

Suitable sunglasses can reduce glare and improve visual comfort in bright conditions. They should not be so dark that they significantly reduce visibility, especially when entering tunnels or shaded areas.

Does a sun visor improve visibility?

Yes. A correctly positioned sun visor can block direct sunlight without unnecessarily obstructing the driver’s view of the road.

Hail

Sunglasses

1 Panama 2 Railway crossing 3 Reversing 4 Bus 5 Police 6 Pothole 7 Path 8 Particulates 9 Air pollution 10 Rush hour 11 Road code 12 Street gutter 13 Cargo bike 14 Forestry vehicle 15 Construction vehicle 16 Semi-trailer truck 17 Trolleybus 18 Speed pedelec 19 Delivery vehicle 20 Idling 21 Tow truck 22 Four-wheel drive 23 Bicycle 24 Motorcycle equipment 25 Rail track 26 Caravan 27 Trailer 28 Tow hitch 29 Siren 30 Convoy 31 Emergency vehicle lighting 32 Agricultural machinery 33 Electric bicycle 34 Electric vehicle 35 Pedelec 36 Quadricycle 37 Microcar 38 All-terrain vehicle 39 Van 40 Recreational vehicle 41 Scooter 42 Trikke 43 Personal mobility device 44 Skateboard 45 Segway 46 Kick scooter 47 Roller skates 48 Mailman 49 Hitchhiker 50 Toddler 51 Child 52 Disability 53 Motorail 54 km/h 55 mph 56 Speedometer 57 Ride height 58 Dirt road 59 Driving 60 Start-stop system 61 Manual transmission 62 Automatic transmission 63 Throttle 64 Tachometer 65 Steering wheel 66 Power steering 67 Visual scanning 68 Mirror 69 Fuel 70 Fuel gauge 71 Petrol 72 Diesel 73 Diesel exhaust fluid 74 Car insurance 75 First aid kit 76 Fire extinguisher 77 High-visibility clothing 78 First aid 79 Concrete step barrier 80 Barriers 81 Vehicle lights 82 Street lights 83 Dipped beam 84 High beam 85 Fog lights 86 Front fog lights 87 Rear fog lights 88 Side lights 89 Turn signals 90 Hazard lights 91 Dashboard lights 92 Bicycle lighting 93 Bicycle bell 94 Headlight flashing 95 Seat belt 96 Child restraints 97 Head restraints 98 Airbag 99 ABS 100 Esp ... 101 Traction control system 102 Helmet 103 Bicycle helmet 104 Hands-free 105 Smartphone 106 GPS 107 Brake 108 Handbrake 109 Brake fluid 110 Tyres 111 Tyre code 112 Winter tyres 113 Tyre pressure 114 Snow chains 115 Bicycle tyre 116 Continuous track 117 Gross Vehicle Weight 118 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 119 Cargo 120 Car body 121 Trunk 122 Roof rack 123 Windscreen 124 Emergency hammer 125 Car battery 126 Traction battery 127 Suspension 128 Shock absorber 129 Spring 130 Exhaust 131 Exhaust gas 132 Soot 133 Catalytic converter 134 Engine 135 Petrol engine 136 Diesel engine 137 Electric motor 138 Timing belt 139 Glow plug 140 Cylinder 141 Engine oil 142 Coolant 143 Maintenance 144 Spare tyre 145 Flat tyre 146 Jack 147 Vehicle inspection 148 Key 149 Dashboard 150 Windscreen wiper 151 Doors 152 Glovebox 153 Visibility 154 Rain 155 Fog 156 Hail 157 Sunlight 158 Sunglasses 159 Salt 160 Air conditioning 161 Hydroplaning 162 Distraction 163 Emotions 164 Road rage 165 Health 166 Epilepsy 167 Night blindness 168 Visual impairment 169 Fatigue 170 Defects 171 Traffic violation 172 Alcohol 173 Alcohol control 174 Ignition interlock device 175 Breath test 176 Breath analysis 177 Blood alcohol content 178 Blood test 179 Saliva test 180 Drugs 181 Medication 182 Penalties 183 Speeding 184 Smoking 185 Traffic enforcement camera 186 Accident 187 Injuries 188 Nosebleed 189 Damage 190 Breakdown 191 Warning triangle 192 Traffic rules 193 Driving school 194 Traffic signs