To think night driving is getting more dangerous

Yes. I really struggle with the super bright headlights. I also don't remember the tarmac being so shiny in wet weather. Also the road mistaking have all worn off in my city.

That was a reply to allfur must’ve pressed something wrong!

The problem with the rise of the SUV is that, if you’re driving a normal car coming in the opposite direction, the SUV lights are exactly at the eye level of the driver. I am constantly dazzled by very bright SUV lights coming at me in a way I never am with normal height cars, or lorries, where the lights are set at the same height from the road as those of normal cars. Dipping them makes very little difference because of where they are on the car. It’s similar to how tractors dazzle because their lights are set up, but thankfully even in my rural area these are few and far between after dark. Not only are SUVs a blight on car parks, but they also contribute this much more dangerous issue.

Everyone slows down when they’ve been blinded though?

Then there’s the added fear that the blinded driver behind you will run into the back of you!

What car do you drive? A Fiat 500? 😂 Or maybe a Nissan Micra?

I have to admit that as a pedestrian I do step out in front of cars on purpose, but that’s only at pedestrian crossings where I’m clearly waiting to cross and it’s obvious a driver wasn’t going to stop.

If a driver ignores pedestrian crossings then they aren’t driving safely.

A friend bought me a pair of these last year, and they really are a game changer. I already wear glasses and they fit comfortably over them.
In my opinion, the Land Rover /SUV brigade are the worst offenders round here. They don't appear to have any farming/estate use for them. Rather the "yummy mummies" and their children.

I have a big SUV that has very bright LED headlights. I agree they are dazzling and too bright. I've noticed recently that some cars flash me, I'm wondering if they think I'm on full beam, so I have no choice but to do a quick flash back, so they can see I'm not on full beam.

I can imagine this surprises them.

I checked my lights and there aren't any bulbs gone, so no other reason for flashing.

I didn't design the lights, or put the led bulbs in them, it's just the car I like to drive 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've signed the petition @BlackCatsAreBrilliant - though, it's got a long way to go.

The problem is crappy energy saving street lighting and too bright headlights. I hate driving at night these days. Luckily I very rarely have to, although walking isn't much more fun either.
I've got myself a little clip on light that makes me visible and lights the way a bit.

I believe a lot of cars have LED headlights now. It’s ridiculous, they burn your bastard retinas! Good for them that they can see 97 miles into the distance but I’m going to be registered blind at some point 😂

I have to walk with a torch if I walk anywhere after dark, cannot see what you might be treading in or where uneven pavements are. So much shadow caused by street lights, yet terrible at actually lighting.

Plus, abysmal road markings and barely a "cats' eye" to be seen (unless it's on an actual cat) also doesn't help.
Percy Shaw must be turning in his grave.
I don't drive anymore at night if I can possibly avoid it.

This

Headlights are super bright but equally seem to cast out very little light in terms of seeing edge of road no matter how you adjust them.

Just got rid of a car that had the fancier led strip type thing (displaying excellent technical skills there) so imagine it was the dazzly kind. But it was bloody rubbish unless in full beam (obviously not with oncoming traffic).

I drive rural roads. Took my husband's very basic older car and it's a joy to drive in the dark in comparison.

You're the one driving a machine that can kill, just drive slower

This keeps getting raised but nothing is being done about it. A petition will go no where

When the car is coming toward you, you can see nothing else but the lights, wpuldnt have a chance of seeing anyone or anything on the road in front of me or even on the pavement

Its so dangerous

Please could you tell us a little more about these? I've never heard of them before

I often mutter to the DC about ninja cyclists in their dark clothes, on a dark bike, without any lights swerving across the dimly lit road.

As an aside, the RAC is trying to get the government to look into the problem of dazzling headlights.

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/rac-calls-for-government-action-on-headlight-glare/

There is even a petition (that no one has seen).

Headlights are much brighter … there is a stretch of Motorway near us, connecting us to the nearest city, it’s unlit .. and cars on the other carriageway are blinding. I take the A roads now .. longer but safer. We have a lot of countryside as well, nighttime’s are ridiculous

cries in astigmatism

I was talking with DH about this the other day. The visibility at crossings in the dark is very poor especially as many people seem to walk round in dark clothing- I always crawl up to those in case someone steps out.

And don't get me started on cyclists round here( usually youngsters) riding like maniacs on electric bikes/ scooters with no lights zipping on and off pavements round blind bends in dark clothes on the wrong side of the road!

Yellow tinted glasses are a game-changer.

I agree it seems like a combination of factors, very dim street lighting, cyclists in dark clothing and no lights on their bike, pedestrians again in dark clothing darting out into the road and those awful super bright headlights.

Around Glasgow it's definitely more dangerous. Deliveroo/JustEat drivers on jailbroken electric mopeds, no licence, no insurance, no lights, no helmet, dressed entirely in black. On and off the pavement, in and out of traffic. Total menace.