SUNGLASSES AND WINTER DRIVING: WATCH THAT GLARE!

(PRLEAP.COM) Watch out for that winter glare!

Most motorists – and, for that matter, sports enthusiasts – wouldn’t dream of setting off without their sunglasses during the peak driving months of spring and summer. And yet, the sun glare of winter can actually be as difficult and dangerous as on any sunny summer day.
According to the experts at the Sunglass Association of America, during the winter months, the sun is at a lower elevation in the sky, and rises and sets at peak driving periods – during morning and afternoon rush hours. “Drivers sometimes find themselves blinded during their rush hour commutes,” notes Tibor Gross, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Barbara Creations, Inc. and the President of the Sunglass Association of America. “The glare is reflected off another car, from the icy pavement, roadside snow – and salted roads can make things even worse,” he says.

So daily drivers, as well as winter vacationers – and that includes skiers, snowboarders, skaters and golfers, tennis aficionados and beach-loving snowbirds – should take care to pack the proper sunglasses and be aware of the need for eye protection.

The good news is that today’s fashion-forward sunglass design, comfort, durability and value allows consumers to protect their eyes – and look great doing it.

BEFORE YOU GO….
According to the Sunglass Association of America’s Gross, the best way to select sunglasses for winter traveling and vacations is to shop before you hit the road, or the slopes, or set sail on a winter cruise. “The wide range of reputable retail outlets in your community will have a superior selection of sunglasses that are just right for your activity, at prices to suit every budget,” Gross says.

“Try on many pairs of glasses, and check for style, size, fit and how they work in a variety of light conditions. Retailers will also be able to advise you of the lens tint that is just right for you,” adds Brent Martin, Sunglass Association of America Vice President, and president and CEO of Suntech Optics. “But the main thing is to shop for sunglasses – for you and your kids – that block harmful ultraviolet rays.”

Look for 99 percent or better UV protection, Martin suggests. “Remember that UV concentrations increase with altitude, and that snow reflects 85 percent of these harmful rays,” he says, noting that the earth’s atmosphere filters four percent less UV rays for every 1,000 feet above sea level.
“So 5,000 feet above sea level represents 20 percent more UV radiation,” says Gross. “And, remember, many skiers are exposed to UV rays all day – on lift lines, on the trail, and at lunch, relaxing on the base lodge deck.”

Another consideration for cold weather sports: plastic frames, with wrap-around styling to keep out wind and snow and minimize glare.

FREE CONSUMER BOOKLET
To help consumers make decisions, the Sunglass Association of America has teamed up with the Vision Council of America to create a free, four-color consumer booklet loaded with tips on sunglass protection, performance and fashion trends.

Available at retailers across the country, the new consumer booklet offers all the sunglass information sports fans and fashionistas, from eight to 80, need to make a great choice. In addition to availability at participating local retailers, it is also available from the Sunglass Association of America online at www.sunglassassociation.com.
The Sunglass Association of America is the leading source of information and market statistics for the sunglass and reading glass industry. The not-for-profit SAA has represented all facets of the industry since 1972, with members around the world.

(Editor’s Note: for further information or to schedule an interview with Tibor Gross or Brent Martin, contact Swea Nightingale, 863/612-0085, info@sunglassassociation.com, or Martin Kleinman, 718/398-4009, or mkleinman@nyc.rr.com.)

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