With constant traffic, construction and pedestrians, driving in and around Toronto always requires your full attention. But now, if you’re driving in any area of the Greater Toronto Area during the late afternoon or early evening, you will notice a dangerous trend on local roads: extreme sunset glare. During spring, especially right after the daylight-saving time change, the sun’s position will often create blinding conditions for drivers during the evening commute. This intense, sudden glare causes an extreme distraction for drivers, often making pedestrians, traffic and changes in driving patterns hard to notice, often creating an increased chance of an accident.
In the Greater Toronto Area, sunset glare is more than just an inconvenience. It can become a serious safety hazard, increasing the risk of motor vehicle accidents.
Why Sunset Glare Is Worse Right Now
After the clocks move forward for daylight saving time, sunset occurs later in the day — often right during peak rush hour traffic. Thousands of drivers heading westbound during the evening commute can find themselves driving directly into the setting sun.
In Toronto, this is especially noticeable on major east-west roads such as:
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Highway 401 heading west during the afternoon rush hour
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Lake Shore Boulevard near downtown Toronto
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Eglinton Avenue West during evening traffic
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Finch Avenue and Sheppard Avenue in North York
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Gardiner Expressway westbound leaving the downtown core
During these times, drivers may suddenly experience intense sunlight that reflects off windshields, buildings, and road surfaces. Even drivers wearing sunglasses may find their visibility drastically reduced.
How Does the Sunset Glare Cause Accidents?
Extreme glare temporarily blinds drivers, reducing their reaction time, leading to a significant increase in the odds of an accident. When drivers cannot clearly see the road ahead, they may fail to notice important hazards.
Some common accident scenarios caused by sunset glare include:
Rear-end collisions – A driver may not see that traffic ahead has slowed or stopped until it is too late. This is especially true on highways like the 401, QEW and 400, where the speeds are faster – so with faster cars and slower reaction times, the accidents caused by sunset glare can be catastrophic.
Pedestrian accidents – In busy areas like downtown Toronto, midtown North York or Mississauga (around Square 1) pedestrians crossing at intersections can be difficult for drivers to see when the sun is directly in their line of sight.
Cyclist collisions – Toronto has a growing number of bike lanes, but glare can make cyclists harder to spot, particularly when they are approaching intersections. This is also dangerous for streets without bike lines, as cyclists move in and out of traffic, often disregarding lights.
Missed traffic signals – Drivers facing west may struggle to see red lights clearly when the sun is sitting low on the horizon.
Local Example: Rush Hour in North York
Imagine someone driving down Finch Avenue near Yonge Street at around 5:30 p.m. in mid-March. The intersection of Yonge and Finch has lots of foot traffic, especially the hour after offices close. With the sun sitting directly in front of the vehicle, it shines through the windshield with full intensity, causing an enormous distraction for the driver. Traffic slows near the intersection, but the glare makes it difficult to judge distances. In just seconds, a distracted or blinded driver could collide with a car in front of them or with one of the pedestrians cross the intersection.
This type of scenario happens every day throughout the GTA during this time of year.
What Toronto Drivers Can Do to Stay Safe
Drivers can take several steps to reduce the risk posed by sunset glare:
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Wear polarized sunglasses
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Use your sun visor
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Keep your windshield clean inside and out
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Slow down and increase following distance
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Be extra cautious near intersections and crosswalks
If the glare becomes overwhelming, the safest choice may be to slow down or briefly pull over until visibility improves.
Example of Toronto Accidents During Sunset Hours
Here is a hit-and-run that occurred at the intersection of Brimley Road and Eglinton Ave in Scarborough, just before the clocks sprung forward. The time of the accident was when the sun is brightest during sunset. While the article does not say that the sunset was a factor in the accident, the extreme driving conditions caused during this time period most likely contributed. You can read about the accident on CityNews HERE.
When an Accident Happens
Even careful drivers can find themselves involved in collisions caused by extreme sunlight. When visibility is suddenly reduced, accidents can happen in seconds.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Toronto or anywhere in the GTA, it is important to understand your legal rights. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine what compensation may be available and guide you through the claims process.
At Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers, our team has more than 50 years of experience helping injured people throughout Ontario. If you have been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, bicycle accident, pedestrian accident, contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.