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Original poster

Blinded by the lights - night time driving

182 replies

Desperado40 · 28/02/2023 22:14

Is it me or has something happened recently - whenever I drive at night, I am literally blinded by the lights coming from the other drivers cars. I can't figure out if this is because:
A) some newer car models have brighter lights
B) drivers forget to switch the full beam when passing
C) both
Anyone else noticed this?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
suburburban · 06/09/2024 22:46

Thanks

The Cocoon overlays were recommended by the optician I visited but I'm having my doubts

CyanCrystalViolet · 06/09/2024 21:43

suburburban · 06/09/2024 12:43

Following on from this thread, my optician recommended Cocoons which fit over your glasses. They are expensive but less expensive than potentially damaging car etc.

Has anyone tried these or am I wasting money

https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-gb/eyeglasses/night-driving-glasses/

I had an anti-blue-light coating on one pair which I think helped, but I lost them. I'm considering asking them to put a coating on my current pair in desperation to see if it makes any difference.

I had to drive home in the dark for the first time last week and it was horrible.

Night driving glasses: Help or hoax?

Find out if night driving glasses with yellow lenses really help you see better at night.

https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-gb/eyeglasses/night-driving-glasses

suburburban · 06/09/2024 12:43

Following on from this thread, my optician recommended Cocoons which fit over your glasses. They are expensive but less expensive than potentially damaging car etc.

Has anyone tried these or am I wasting money

chaosmaker · 29/03/2024 11:21

ThinWomansBrain · 29/03/2024 10:53

your eves are getting older

What are you talking about? This affects people of all ages including those with perfect eyesight.

Rummikub · 29/03/2024 10:58

thats dismissive.

If you read the thread done posters have even gone to get their eyes checked and they have good vision.

It is these newer brighter lights plus height of cars.

ThinWomansBrain · 29/03/2024 10:53

your eves are getting older

chaosmaker · 29/03/2024 10:48

Such as it is....

Rummikub · 28/03/2024 13:56

The other thread has a response from the government.

Barney16 · 22/03/2024 00:21

Thank goodness it's not my eyes. It's horrendous, I'm starting to loose my confidence driving at night.

justasking111 · 21/03/2024 14:24

Let's be honest here it's a problem saying people have cataracts, glaucoma whatever is a cop out if you've got these lights on your car you're anti social and sometimes downright dangerous

Jovacknockowitch · 21/03/2024 12:05

Vermin · 01/03/2023 08:21

OP - I now have Manfred Mann as an ear worm thanks to your title 😹

Or Bruce Springsteen (the original).

JockTamsonsBairns · 21/03/2024 11:41

I'm a community care worker so need to do a lot of night time driving around rural areas. The bright lights are awful, I don't feel safe on the roads like I used to.

It's having a detrimental effect on the sector too - quite a few of my colleagues have changed their work availability to avoid being out in the dark.

Gall10 · 21/03/2024 10:54

Cataracts?

Portakalkedi · 21/03/2024 10:31

I've had this for years, you can get tinted specs for it.

lieselotte · 21/03/2024 10:23

ntmdino · 20/03/2024 16:29

Another thing about demisting, actually - if you switch your AC on while demisting, it has a dehumidifying effect at the same time rather than just heating up the cabin (in most modern cars, at least).

Show quote history

Yes, I think I read that tip on here a few months ago - it does make a difference. Thank you!

lieselotte · 21/03/2024 10:22

chaosmaker · 20/03/2024 15:41

Although your miracle vision will tell you you need to dip lights before the automatic dipping would kick in. Might be better to turn that 'function' off as it may be less blinding for others.

I agree - automatic lights don't react fast enough.

bathinginbeans · 20/03/2024 23:41

The glaring of lights and trouble with night vision were the first signs of cararacts for me.

Rummikub · 20/03/2024 20:48

That’s what motoring groups are asking. That all road users are taken into account.

ABitBright · 20/03/2024 20:43

chaosmaker · 20/03/2024 15:41

Although your miracle vision will tell you you need to dip lights before the automatic dipping would kick in. Might be better to turn that 'function' off as it may be less blinding for others.

Assume that comment is for me. If so, I agree, and have never used that function.

@justasking111 I've also never had an accident in 40 years and I do a lot of driving. I'm not sure what your point is. I've had the bright xenon adaptive lights for a few years now and the increased visibility is a big improvement. I also agree they are too bright though 🤷🏻‍♀️

ntmdino · 20/03/2024 16:29

lieselotte · 20/03/2024 13:23

Good point about cleaning windscreens properly. Also they mist up and demisting takes forever, which doesn't exactly help with your vision! Why do they demist quicker on the passenger side, is it because they are designed for left hand drive?

Another thing about demisting, actually - if you switch your AC on while demisting, it has a dehumidifying effect at the same time rather than just heating up the cabin (in most modern cars, at least).

Rummikub · 20/03/2024 15:41

justasking111 · 20/03/2024 13:05

He won't thinks it's far too small

Show quote history

He must’ve been a passenger in your car and noticed others dazzling lights?

chaosmaker · 20/03/2024 15:41

Although your miracle vision will tell you you need to dip lights before the automatic dipping would kick in. Might be better to turn that 'function' off as it may be less blinding for others.

CloudySheep · 20/03/2024 14:59

I drive to a rural area for work and see fine with normal lights but don't like the bright ones. When I'm only passing one other car every 2-5 minutes my eyes don't have time to adjust to the glare of their headlights after driving in pitch black..

justasking111 · 20/03/2024 14:25

ABitBright · 20/03/2024 14:09

As for accident risk, around 300 accidents occur each year due to headlight glare. 91% of RAC survey responders thought headlights were mostly too bright and 45% had been dazzled by lights in their rear vision mirrors

On the other side the bright lights are a massive improvement for visibility so will also be preventing accidents. We live in a rural area with lots of wildlife who like to lurk in the hedgerows and leap,out into the road and also cyclists who like to cycle around dusk without lights and dressed in dark colours. I can definitely see a lot, lot better with my xenon lights than with my last car which had regular lights, the difference as a driver is remarkable. As I mentioned earlier I have adaptive headlights which automatically turn into corners ahead of me. These also help enormously. They can also be set to dip automatically.

Show quote history

We live in a rural area, winding lanes, hedgerows, swooping owls. In 50 years I've never hit anything, day or night.