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Original poster

Are headlights getting even brighter or is it me?!

214 replies

Riskyrice · 14/11/2021 17:51

Dear god, the season of night driving is always bad, but it seems headlights are getting even worse? Driving home just now was like being attacked by hundreds of torches right in the eye! I've still got white spots.

I do wear glasses and have mild astigmatism, but it's getting to the point where it feels borderline unsafe to drive at night. Is there anything I can do to reduce the dazzling?

OP posts:
bizboz · 14/11/2021 20:15

I've noticed it too over the past few years. They are so bright, I am being dazzled even when the lights are dipped.

IreneSmith · 14/11/2021 20:17

I think less people know how to drive these days.

The number of people who keep high/full beams on is unbelievable.

(In addition to hogging the middle lane, going at 68moh in the outside motor way lane, and keeping for lights on)

WildRosie · 14/11/2021 20:18

I have certainly noticed increased headlights brightness. Also, an increased tendency for people to drive with their sidelights or headlights switched on when there is no need, e.g. daylight, no precipitation, dry roads. Beats me.

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kowari · 14/11/2021 20:19

The brightness needs to be restricted, and they should be yellow not white. I have nothing wrong with my eyes and struggled with driving on motorways in the dark in my twenties.

Simonjt · 14/11/2021 20:20

@WildRosie

I have certainly noticed increased headlights brightness. Also, an increased tendency for people to drive with their sidelights or headlights switched on when there is no need, e.g. daylight, no precipitation, dry roads. Beats me.
Lights on, even in the day reduces the chance of someone pulling out in front of you etc, plus newer cars have day running lights.
Clymene · 14/11/2021 20:20

They are really dangerous. Maybe eyes get less able to adjust as you get older but most drivers are over 30.

I have yellow flips I can fit over, but they only do so much. I will try closing an eye

Incidentally I occasionally drive a vehicle with a very high driving position. The headlights are not an issue then. So it's smaller and lighter vehicles which are at particular risk.

BertieBotts · 14/11/2021 20:21

@HannibalHayeski

Most people, particularly those with Chelsea tractors, have not the slightest clue that the angle of their headlights is adjustable, and they are all left on far too high.

Either that, or, being the kind of person who thinks driving an X27 is a sensible thing to do, they probably deliberately have their headlight angle at it's highest just because they don't give a shit about anyone else...

I don't understand this. Why wouldn't they be adjusted to the correct angle when you buy the car? I wouldn't have a clue how to go about adjusting headlights, but I would assume that they are already correctly adjusted because I've never touched them.

Why are they given out with the light at the wrong angle in the first place?

gamerchick · 14/11/2021 20:22

Yeah I hate driving at night. Especially if it's raining and blinding white/blue lights.

Sparklingbrook · 14/11/2021 20:22

Lights on, even in the day reduces the chance of someone pulling out in front of you etc, plus newer cars have day running lights

That's very true. I have daytime running lights, but my headlamps go on and off when the car decides they are necessary which is handy.

Simonjt · 14/11/2021 20:24

@BertieBotts Headlights need adjusting frequently, if you usually drive alone and have adjusted them correctly, you would need to adjust them if you had four passengers, or even a heavy load in the vehicle.

If you aren’t adjusting them you are likely guilty of dazzling other road users.

TuftyMarmoset · 14/11/2021 20:24

I agree OP and my vision is perfect. I don’t actually drive, which is good because I wouldn’t be able to drive at night as I find headlights too blinding!

LadyOfTheFlowers · 14/11/2021 20:25

The pure bright white lights that some cars have is nothing to do with being old, it's the pure white bright lights.
Coming towards as you pass on the road is bad but I find 4x4s right up almost in my boot the worst.

Gindrinker43 · 14/11/2021 20:25

As an emergency driver we are taught to apply the handbrake when in stationary traffic to prevent dazzling the driver behind. Good advice for everyone

gamerchick · 14/11/2021 20:25

A few days ago I was convinced someone had their full beam on and flashed a couple of times - they then actually put their full beam on

Yeah and give you an x-ray.

BertieBotts · 14/11/2021 20:25

Well shit Shock why isn't that in the driving theory test?

anon12345678901 · 14/11/2021 20:26

They are. My car headlights are so bright, people do often flash me. I have to flash back to show I'm not using my full beams, which I'm pretty sure blinds them even more.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 14/11/2021 20:26

I also agree that it makes it really difficult to see if they are indicating too

SnowSurprise · 14/11/2021 20:27

I had wondered this and thought it was just because I'm not used to driving in the dark any more. Now the DC are back doing activities and I have to pick them up after dark, I find it really unpleasant to drive at night. I'm reassured it's not just me.

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 14/11/2021 20:28

Yes I've been noticing this for a long time. Headlights are blinding now, and should be regulated

Simonjt · 14/11/2021 20:30

@BertieBotts

Well shit Shock why isn't that in the driving theory test?
It comes under the pratical test where you identify the interior controls, before the practical you must know how to use and where all of the interior controls are.
Sparklingbrook · 14/11/2021 20:33

@Gindrinker43

As an emergency driver we are taught to apply the handbrake when in stationary traffic to prevent dazzling the driver behind. Good advice for everyone
Yes, I mentioned this on another thread a while ago that you should use your handbrake so you didn't blind the person behind with your brake lights. It didn't go down well though.
liveforsummer · 14/11/2021 20:34

Yes, modern cars have lights which are far more retina burning - but do help you see better if actually driving one. Sadly my car is not a modern one so get all the downside and none of the benefit. I also have astigmatism and really struggle driving in the dark, especially if it starts to rain

kowari · 14/11/2021 20:35

@anon12345678901

They are. My car headlights are so bright, people do often flash me. I have to flash back to show I'm not using my full beams, which I'm pretty sure blinds them even more.
Can't you switch them for dimmer bulbs? I'd be concerned I could cause an accident by blinding another driver.
wertheppl · 14/11/2021 20:37

I think it's all the trend for the suv type cars. They are a lot higher up and there's me in my very low down Honda Civic 🙈 feels like folk always got full beans in but I think it's more I'm low down they r up high!

BigRedDuck · 14/11/2021 20:39

DH and I were having this exact conversation the other day. Both 20/20 vision, he drives all day as part of his job. The amount of drivers I have flashed thinking their lights were on full beam, only for them to flash back.
I really try not to drive at night it makes me so anxious.
We were out driving home the other day at night from an event, the cars lights behind us were so bright they actually lit up the road in front of me, I could have turned my lights off and it wouldn't have made a difference to what we could see! They weren't on full beam either.
I am in a very small, low car so perhaps a higher vehicle may help.