Sun Glare Traffic Collision Wreaks Havoc In Ladera Ranch

LADERA RANCH, CA - The sun's glare contributed to a morning traffic collision in Ladera Ranch Tuesday morning. The collision occurred just after 7:30 a.m., as drivers were heading eastbound on O'Neill Drive toward Antonio during the morning rush hour.

The steep hill combined with the morning sun often blinds drivers that time of day, according to witnesses on scene. Mother Liz (lastname withheld) was driving her Honda Odyssey, taking her three children to Junipero Sera Catholic School in Rancho Santa Margarita, heading eastbound on ONeill Drive when she noticed the sun's glare.

"I couldn't see (from the sun), so I started to slow down," Liz said. The driver behind her, a woman in a black Honda Accord struck the white Honda Odyssey minivan, carrying Liz and her three boys, aged 10-, 8- and 5-years-old.

The driver of the Accord (who remained anonymous) was following just behind the minivan, and was also affected by the rising sun's glare.

"I was driving up the hill, I couldn't see from the sun, I was totally blinded by the sun," she said, of the moment when the impact happened.

Both cars were towed away, un-driveable, and airbags deployed in the Accord from the force of the collision. The rear window of the minivan was completely blown out. While the driver of the minivan suffered a gash to her face, the children were otherwise unharmed. There were no injuries reported to the driver of the Accord.

Drivers headed eastbound, up the hill from Oso Elementary school on O'Neill Drive, experience the wrath of the sun's glare daily during their morning commute. It is a common problem to experience momentary "temporary blindness" during that time of day, a witness said.

The AAA recommends the following tips for drivers who experience sun glare:

• Invest in polarized sunglasses – they can help reduce glare.
• Utilize your sun visor – it can help to block out the sun.
• Leave more following room – when the sun is in your eyes it can be hard to see what the car ahead is doing. This is one more time when it pays to leave more room between you and the next vehicle.
• Drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility to other drivers

Additional tips:

• Keep your windshield clean, inside and out
• Check your windshield for pitting and cracks
• Avoid storing papers or other items on the dashboard
• If having a difficult time seeing the road, use lane markings to help guide you.

For more information, visit: exchange.aaa.com

Amy Spurgeon Hoffman Photo