Fleet

Side-Window Sun Exposure – Risk Reduction by Design

Shadewing is an engineering control that eliminates a known but under-recognised driving risk before it escalates into an incident, injury, or compliance issue.

Peripheral (side) sun exposure is a known driver distraction and health risk that has been normalised by drivers but largely overlooked at an organisational level.

What Potential Risks Does Shadewing Eliminate?

1. Visual Obstruction Risk
Side and peripheral sun can impair vision during vehicle operation, particularly during low-angle sun conditions common in early morning and late afternoon shifts.

2. Cognitive Load and Driver Distraction
Persistent glare increases mental fatigue and distraction, reducing situational awareness and reaction time during extended driving periods.

3. Compensatory Unsafe Behaviours
Drivers frequently adopt unsafe practices to manage side sun exposure, including:

Leaning or repositioning while driving
Improvised sun blockers
Altered seating posture

Shadewing removes the need for these behaviours by eliminating the hazard at its source.

4. Cumulative Health Exposure
Repeated UV exposure to the face, eyes, and neck presents long-term health risks that often go unmanaged due to the absence of a formal control.

5. Latent Incident Risk
Side sun exposure is commonly acknowledged but poorly documented, creating a latent hazard that may only be identified after an incident or injury occurs.

Summary
Shadewing eliminates a persistent, overlooked driving risk through engineering and design — before it becomes a recognised cause of incident, injury, or compliance failure.

It’s never a problem — until it is.
Then it becomes the problem.

By engineering the risk out rather than relying on procedural controls, Shadewing aligns with established safety principles and demonstrates a practical commitment to driver wellbeing.