Aussie driver’s $100 tactic to avoid little-known risk on the road

Rockhampton: So, there’s this Aussie driver, Lucy Blair, who recently opened up about a risk we often overlook while driving—sun exposure. She told Yahoo News that she never really thought about sun safety in the car until it hit her. Turns out, those UV rays can sneak in through the windows, especially the sides, and before you know it, your arms are getting fried.

Lucy now makes it a point to wear protective clothing when she’s behind the wheel. She even splurged on a $99 sun smock to shield her upper body from those sneaky rays. At first, she was a bit unsure about it, but once she tried it on, she was sold.

She’s not just thinking about sun safety in the car, either. Lucy has woven it into her daily routine—whether she’s walking to work, on her lunch break, or out jogging with friends. She’s always got UV protection on her mind.

Another voice in this conversation is Anne Gately, a stage IV melanoma survivor. She reminded everyone how dangerous the Aussie sun can be. Anne stressed that we need to be mindful of sun safety every day, not just when we’re planning a beach day.

She pointed out that incidental sun exposure adds up, and our skin remembers it. It’s a good reminder that we should be proactive about protecting ourselves, no matter where we are.

Now, the Cancer Council has chimed in, too. They say that while tinted windows can help reduce UV exposure, they don’t eliminate the risk entirely. Plus, just because the windscreen is tinted doesn’t mean the side windows are.

UV levels inside a car can change based on whether the windows are open or closed and how the car is positioned in relation to the sun. Generally, it’s safer inside than outside, but that doesn’t mean we should let our guard down.

For those long drives, the Cancer Council recommends wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen with at least SPF 50. It’s a simple way to stay safe while you’re on the road and even after you step out of the car.