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Original poster

I can't drive at night

154 replies

Ilovechintz · 29/01/2023 21:03

Just got home from seeing a friend, journey took much longer as I had to keep slowing down because oncoming lights of traffic were blinding me.

Last year I have not liked driving at night, this evening was first time in a few months and it seemed so much worse. Anyone else feel like this?

I was on the A303 and A358 which I found hardest, then on the M5 which was ok.

OP posts:
Coxspurplepippin · 29/01/2023 21:39

Sadly, I had cataracts sorted and it didn't make any difference Sad but I do have astigmatism too.

catandcoffee · 29/01/2023 21:59

It's the shitty big vehicles with their super bright Led lights. So the shitty drivers have a lovely clear vision at night.

and pretty much blind us people who drive normal size cars with normal headlights.

How has this been allowed to happen, that's my question.

Summerfun54321 · 29/01/2023 22:04

I have astigmatism and don't drive in the dark unless I absolutely have to. I just assumed the two are linked but interesting to see others have found this connection.

Rummikub · 29/01/2023 22:16

catandcoffee · 29/01/2023 21:59

It's the shitty big vehicles with their super bright Led lights. So the shitty drivers have a lovely clear vision at night.

and pretty much blind us people who drive normal size cars with normal headlights.

How has this been allowed to happen, that's my question.

Mine too

I think there was some protest about it from cabbies awhile ago but they lost.

Uts a problem due to new technology in LED and Xenon lights. The lights are more a beam than scattered.

I have a lamp post outside my house and they changed the bulb to an LED one a few years ago. Bloody hell its bright. Upstairs bedroom feels like there’s a torch being shone in!

Hallmark1234 · 29/01/2023 22:20

I've had a problem with night driving for a long time, ever since car manufacturers starting using newer, brighter lights/bulbs and, as mentioned, are worse in SUV's.

There is actually an organisation trying to combat this menace, formed some time ago www.lightmare.org

Mossstitch · 29/01/2023 22:23

I don't think it can be the astigmatism as I've had that since a child but only developed problems night driving in middle age. OK on normal roads with streetlights but try to avoid motorways at night, nightmare on stretches with no lights. I also agree the strobe lights cyclists wear should be banned. Can get stuck behind them on my route to work and they make me feel ill, I'm sure if you were epileptic they could set off a seizure.

BurntOutGirl · 29/01/2023 22:28

I am shortsighted with astigmatisms also. I actually feel unsave driving at night as l sometimes can't even identify bends in the road. I wear over glasses that l purchased from Amazon. I will only drive on roads that l am familiar with.

thetwotattoos · 29/01/2023 22:28

I had this problem and got some very low prescription tinted glasses which I keep in the glovebox. I don't think I'd get on with those cheap yellow ones due to the fit and feel of them and I also wonder if they reduce clarity as well as brightness if you see what I mean? My prescription glasses reduce the glare and crisp up the signs so no more eye strain - worth paying a bit for that!

Pixiedust1234 · 29/01/2023 22:29

I refuse to drive at night now as I don't feel safe so thank you to the posters linking where to get these glasses from!

inappropriateraspberry · 29/01/2023 22:35

To have no problems with my eyes and find car lights too bright. It's definitely the modern LEDs and bigger vehicles.

MaureenSowerbuttsCardi · 29/01/2023 22:36

Anyone got a link to those glasses that fit over other glasses?

larchforest · 29/01/2023 22:37

The ones coming at you aren't quite as bad as the ones driving right behind you with laser beam lights that shine so brightly you are driving in your car's own shadow, and with their lights shining right into your wing mirrors. You lose your night vision completely.

UnattendedPotato · 29/01/2023 22:45

MaureenSowerbuttsCardi · 29/01/2023 22:36

Anyone got a link to those glasses that fit over other glasses?

Here is an eBay item number ( 313012796528 ) I don't shop at Amazon but you can search for night glare goggles on either site

Badbudgeter · 29/01/2023 22:48

I’m the same. Luckily Where I live it’s mostly windy country roads or dual carriageway. It’s single carriageway that’s a challenge. I bought a high vehicle which helps.

catsmother · 29/01/2023 22:48

I've had exactly the same issue for the last two or three years. What with lockdowns, working from home (so less night driving) and an overdue eye test I thought it was just me but finally got my eyes sorted before Christmas and I still have the same bloody issue with many oncoming lights although I can now see in sharper focus if not being impossibly dazzled.

Apart from an out of date prescription - which has now been rectified - I don't have any other underlying issues with my eyes which might account for strange nighttime auras, and am a confident driver, but am sick of being blinded by ultra bright LED headlights. I actually queried night driving with my optician (in case it was an eye problem) and even with new glasses and anti glare lenses, it feels as though you're perpetually encountering people who've put full beams on (though they haven't). And yes, it's worse with higher vehicles - the SUVs, vans and so on, but I'm also noticing an increase in these type of lights fitted on 'average' saloons and hatchbacks as well.

It's so fucking dangerous and I can't understand how it's permitted? I'm also driving in the dark not only on extra high alert and with extra concentration (so I can try to safely follow the line of the road despite being blinded) which is exhausting and stressful, but with increasing rage towards the selfish wankers who drive these vehicles without a care for the effect they have on other drivers so long as as they're comfortable within their own enclosed space. It's awful to drive with so much anxiety in the pit of your stomach.

And the answer isn't 'get an SUV' so you're high up too - because a) cost and b) you'd just be inflicting even more pain and stress upon others.

I do wonder if the amount of night accidents have increased since ultra bright lights have become popular?

Rummikub · 29/01/2023 22:50

I think the designers didn’t pay attention in biology classes.

in low light conditions your eyes enlarge pupils to let in more light. Then a car comes along with its bright lights and then your blinded!

antipodeancanary · 29/01/2023 22:52

PragmaticWench · 29/01/2023 21:05

I found this after lockdown as I'd had a long period not having to drive at night. You can buy anti- glare night glasses that really help. Plus, keep doing it or you'll back yourself into a corner of not being able to cope.

No. Absolutely do not do it if you feel unsafe to do it! I don't drive at night under any circumstances. End of. I have a condition that would make it most dangerous. The DVLA sight tests do not really pick this up, so it is my decision, supported by my optician not to drive at night.

Babdoc · 29/01/2023 22:52

larchforest, if you click the button below your rear view mirror, it angles it down so the headlights of the car behind you are not reflected right into your eyes any more. There’s not much you can do about the wing mirrors other than avoiding looking at them, except when about to make a manoeuvre.

MTCoffeePot · 29/01/2023 22:56

I've been finding driving at night really difficult these past couple of years. I have glasses for driving with anti-glare coating but I don't find them much help. Other posters have mentioned the problem of differentiating the kerb from the road after a car with bright headlights has passed. Possibly my irises can't adjust quickly enough. I'll look into the yellow tint glasses as it's annoying not feeling confident about driving at this time of the year when the days are so short!

Snugglemonkey · 29/01/2023 23:08

We live rurally and I find driving at night increasingly difficult. The incoming cars blind me often. I drive an suv, as I feel it is necessary to if you live here. Between snow and flooding, I would not get out and about half the year without it. I often have people flashing furiously at me, but my headlights dip automatically and I know that they are doing their job as I have had it checked a load of times.

I think flashing when you are dazzled is pretty fucking stupid anyway. If you are blinded, the last thing you need is another blinded person driving toward you FFS.

Car manufacturers need to take a look at this.

Tilllly · 29/01/2023 23:14

I've asked my optician about it, he says it's increasingly common when you're 40+...

Jaxhog · 29/01/2023 23:21

RampantIvy · 29/01/2023 21:09

Are headlights brighter these days?

Much brighter. Which is great for the driver, but pretty awful for everyone else on the road. I can no longer drive my low-slung sports car at night, as I'm constantly dazzled by other people's headlights. The taller SUVs are particularly bad, as their headlights seem to be set higher and look like they're on full beam.

MockneyReject · 29/01/2023 23:27

I'm the same.
I think it's a combination of age related deterioration, and the newer type of headlights. They seem to refract. The best combination, for me, is contact lenses (multifocal) and tinted glasses

I can no longer do evening shifts (home care) for most of the year, and haven't been able to go to the cinema, theatre or a gig for about 3 years, now.
I get quite agitated.if we're out for the day, and people (kids) are pissing about and I end up having to drive back later than planned.
I just can't do spontaneity, any more 😢

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 29/01/2023 23:28

I've found my people! I'm 60 and if I say I find night driving almost impossible, people look at me as if I'm making it up. I wanted to visit a friend to go to the theatre but there was no matinee so an evening performance meant driving on the M25 at night - I just feel like I won't get home in one piece; she was really put out by my attitude! But I assume a lot of those commenting here are younger so can't just be an age thing?

EmmaEmerald · 29/01/2023 23:32

I had issues with astigmatism but...my parents don't have astigmatism and said that newer headlamps caused them issues too (when they still drove).

I have seen long arguments on here about use of different lights, full beams, dipped lights....it all added up to a real battle for night time driving, regardless of who is right or wrong.

I no longer drive but even looking from the bus, I wonder how the hell drivers are coping with these ridiculously bright lights.