Are sunglasses appropriate for driving?

The ISO 12312-1:2013, an internationally recognized standard, lays down the guidelines for sunglasses, designed to provide protection against solar radiation in various settings, including general use and driving scenarios. The standard categorizes sunglasses into five distinct groups (0–4) based on the visible or luminous transmittance of their lenses, reflecting their effectiveness in reducing sun glare. These categories range from 0 (untinted lenses) to 4 (very dark lenses), with the last not suitable for driving purposes. To assess the suitability of sunglasses available in the Brazilian market for driving safely, a study was conducted and published in the BioMedical Engineering OnLine Journal.
The research aimed to evaluate a specific set of sunglasses to determine their compliance with ISO 12312-1:2013 standards, considering the driving requirements of consumers. The findings revealed that a majority of the sunglasses, approximately 75%, met the necessary requirements. However, a small percentage of sunglasses, only 3% of the evaluated sample, were found to be non-compliant with ISO 12312-1:2013. This non-compliance was attributed to the lenses being excessively dark, which renders them unsuitable for driving purposes, according to the standard.