There are about a million things on the road that want to shave years off your life – obstacles, wildlife running out in front of you, tonnes of steel whizzing past you in opposite directions, and yet the last thing you think about is what's happening to you in the driver's seat.
At the end of the day, the only thing separating you from that deadly thing shining down on you in the sky is a window and a roof.
The sun is no joke, shining harmful UV rays directly into your skin and causing things like skin cancer or melanoma.
If you're someone who spends a lot of time in the car, it might be worth considering making one small adjustment to your vehicle to keep yourself safe.
We spoke with Sally Blane, Deputy Chair of Cancer Council's National Skin Cancer Committee, to find out just how bad it is to have no tint on your car windows.
Is it bad to have no window tint on your car?
While it's not the worst thing in the world to have no tint on your windows, it does minimise the risk of exposure to harmful UV rays.
Sally Blane explained that while the sun is deadly, there are actually ways to lower the risk you experience on a day-to-day basis. But first, she explained what your skin is actually going through when the sun hits you.
"Damage to the skin, such as sunburn and future skin cancers, is usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. UV can't be seen or felt and is different from heat, so temperature does not affect UV levels, and in fact, the UV can be as high on a cool day as it is on a hot one."
"Solar UV radiation is made up of three wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB can reach the earth's surface and can penetrate the skin and cause permanent damage, contributing to melanoma and other skin cancers, sunburn, skin ageing and eye damage."
"So, when your skin is unprotected from the sun, UV radiation can damage your DNA. Exposure to UV radiation causes up to 95 per cent of melanomas, the most dangerous form of skin cancer."
So, does this mean that if you don't have ultra-dark windows, you're constantly at risk? Well, not quite. Luckily, car windows are made from a certain type of glass that actually helps block out UV radiation.
"When it comes to windows in vehicles, laminated glass, used for windscreens, and tempered glass, usually used for side and rear windows, both block UVB radiation. However, UVA transmission depends on the type of glass. Laminated windscreens, made from a tough plastic layer bonded between two panes of glass, block about 98 per cent of UVA radiation," said Blane.
"In comparison, tempered glass (which provides greater strength and reduces shattering and is used for side and rear windows) allows the transmission of substantially more UVA radiation. However, the amount transmitted can vary widely depending on the thickness and colour of the glass."
"Clear or tinted films can reduce the amount of total UV radiation penetrating the tempered glass significantly. Tinting is recommended for work vehicles where practicable. The general public should also consider the sun-protective benefits of window tinting for their vehicle."
What is the best window tint darkness to block UV?
The legal tint level in Australia is 35 per cent visible light transmittance (VLT) on side windows, which means that at least 35 per cent of light must be able to pass through it. Tinting shops and the police have tools that measure this.
In Australia, you are not allowed to tint your windshield; however, you are permitted a 'sun strip' above the small back arrow, as shown below (or the top 10 per cent of the windshield), but even this needs to have a 35 per cent visible light transmittance.
So does darker mean better for sun protection? Well, not exactly. Certain tints can be obtained that block UV light but remain at a legal level.
"Any level of tint can provide sun protection benefits while you're in your vehicle. Some tints appear clear to the human eye but strongly absorb UVR," said Blane.
When getting a tint put on your windows, opt for the ceramic option and do research into brands that have had real-world testing. The Cancer Council has a number of endorsed brands you can read about here.
How else can I protect myself from the sun in the car?
Sally Blane offered a number of other options that can potentially save your skin from the effects of prolonged and frequent car journeys.
"Australians should consider the sun-protective benefits of window tinting for their vehicle. Alternatively, fabric side window covers can provide shade and UV protection. Window tints and fabric covers are only effective in providing protection when the windows are closed."
"When in the car and the UV Index is three or above, the first step in being sun safe is to ensure that windows (tinted or untinted) are wound up to avoid direct sun on the skin."
"Cancer Council recommends that people who are spending long periods of time in a vehicle use sun protection such as a long-sleeve shirt and pants, sunglasses and sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, water-resistant and SPF 50 or 50+. This also ensures that you are protected when you leave the car."
"Regardless of what activity you're doing, we encourage Australians to make sun protection a daily part of their routine. When the UV level is three or above, we recommend Australians use all five forms of sun protection: Slip on protective clothing, Slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 50 or SPF 50+ sunscreen, Slap on a broad-brimmed hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses."
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
