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Original poster

To ask you why I might struggle to drive in the dark?

121 replies

heyomayo · 31/10/2023 18:10

Had an eye test a month ago and told 20/20 vision… not even a slight prescription. I am surprised and feel really fortunate.

Anyway, I thought this last winter and I’m now noticing it again, I have to pay so much more attention driving in the dark. I’m not squinting but all the white lights really seem to dazzle me and makes it really hard to concentrate, or at least I feel that way. It just feels like a much harder experience than driving in the day. This is my fifth winter driving, so I am an experienced driver and never remember being like this prior to the end of last winter. I’m not sure if it’s the ultra-white streetlights or maybe the running lights on some cars now? Does anyone have any ideas?

OP posts:
ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 31/10/2023 19:04

I am convinced this is the newer lights on some cars. They are brighter white, position higher and have a full impact especially like some of the newer people carriers or range rovers.

I really hope car manufacturers are challenged on it at some stage as it's a new thing and my eyesight or perspective hasn't changed.

Pushkinini · 31/10/2023 19:06

I've driven home from work tonight in the dark for the first time since the clocks went back. I have astigmatism, am mid 50s and find driving at night quite difficult now. Driving at night never used to bother me but a combination of white lights, age and poor weather is making it really unpleasant now.

Woollyjumpersandtomatosoupweather · 31/10/2023 19:09

I complained of this at my recent eye test and was told I have the start of cataracts which enhances the glare.
You can get glasses from Amazon that you can wear over your own specs which take the edge off the glare.

Badbadbunny · 31/10/2023 19:11

Have you properly cleaned the inside and outside of your windscreen? I know it sounds obvious, but.....

I started to struggle with driving at night and thought it was just my eyes.

We got a few marks on the inside of the windscreen, from straws in fast food drinks we'd put on the dashboard.

I decided to go out with the windolene and do the insides. Couldn't believe the colour of the cloth, it was really dark and dirty, so I did the insides of the door windows and back window, needed another cloth as it was so dirty. Then I thought I'd do the outside too, even though I regularly have it washed, and they were filfthy too!

Didn't think much about it, but on Sunday evening, took the car out, and couldn't believe the difference - a lot less glare, crystal clear, etc., etc.,

It's not a particularly old car either, 5 years old, and I did the insides of the windows a couple of years ago, and like I say, I regularly have the outside done, but a normal car wash clearly doesn't cut through the road grime properly.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 31/10/2023 19:14

I have a condition called Fuchs that appears in your early 50’s that makes all lights at night like this due to retained fluid in the cornea. Currently waiting for transplants as it will become permanent without

AntonFeckoff · 31/10/2023 19:18

A combination of astigmatism and ultra-bright modern headlights for me.

user1471556818 · 31/10/2023 19:20

Try the night glasses my husband swears by them .I do think lights are much brighter nowadays and some incredibly poor drivers who dip lights at very last minute if at all don't help.

megletthesecond · 31/10/2023 19:28

I have yearly eye tests too and there's nothing sinister going on. Night time driving is becoming unpleasant. I think it's a mix of menopause, anxiety, stupidly bright car lights and poor street lighting.
It's better in glasses, than contacts through.

megletthesecond · 31/10/2023 19:28

I have yearly eye tests too and there's nothing sinister going on. Night time driving is becoming unpleasant. I think it's a mix of menopause, anxiety, stupidly bright car lights and poor street lighting.
It's better in glasses, than contacts through.

heartsinvisiblefury · 31/10/2023 19:31

I have this same problem and panic so much if I'm ever required to drive at night. My husband says it's because I'm just not good at driving but it's not that at all, all I seem to see is bright glaring lights - he says he doesn't have a problem at all. I can't tell you how relieved I am to read that it's not just me.

I've had a look on Amazon at some night driving glasses - are they any good at all?

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 31/10/2023 19:33

I'm the same. It's the headlights for me, coupled with the change to energy saving street lights. There are a few pockets where I live that have older style lamps and I definitely notice the difference. I also have astigmatism in both eyes too. I try and avoid driving in the dark as much as I can now.

Coatandhat · 31/10/2023 19:39

Where we live, all of the streetlights have been changed to LED. You can see very well the moment you pass under one but otherwise they're useless. I can't see a turning until I'm right there even though I know the area very well. I hate the bastard things!

Lovemychair · 31/10/2023 19:39

I never understood why some people suddenly said that they didn't like driving at night anymore- I'm now one of them, I'm in my late 50's and it seemed to start with the menopause.

bellac11 · 31/10/2023 19:52

Coatandhat · 31/10/2023 19:39

Where we live, all of the streetlights have been changed to LED. You can see very well the moment you pass under one but otherwise they're useless. I can't see a turning until I'm right there even though I know the area very well. I hate the bastard things!

Yes if I need to walk along a road at night, I still use a torch even if in an area which hs street lamps, once you're past the lamp its pitch black in front of you, really harsh shadow, cant see little dips in the pavement or shit etc

HunterHearstHelmsley · 31/10/2023 19:55

I wear glasses but have just switched to my winter driving glasses. They're anti glare and find them much easier to drive in the dark with them. Could you get some no prescription anti glare glasses?

evilkitten · 31/10/2023 19:56

clean the inside of your windscreen. Nobody ever does, but it makes a world of difference.

Thehumiliatedfish · 31/10/2023 19:58

It's the headlights.

I have to drive proper out in the wilds. No street lights for miles kind of thing. Absolutely fine on the empty road, but the glare of an oncoming vehicle with white lights is ridiculous.

Slookie · 31/10/2023 20:00

I also have astigmatism and really struggle driving at night. To the point I avoid it.

Last night I had to drive home in the dark and it was pouring with rain. That was not fun!!

The astigmatism was only noticed at my last eye test, when I‘ve been wearing glasses FT for 7 years (and for distance 15 years).

Wotchaz · 31/10/2023 20:03

We have an SUV-type family car and a little runaround. I can’t drive the small car in the dark; particularly in the rain - it feels v dangerous because I just can’t see. Don’t have any problems in the SUV with a higher seat, so I definitely blame headlight positioning/brightness rather than my eyes.

honkersbonkers38 · 31/10/2023 20:05

Absolutely agree. It's age, true - although my younger friends also struggle.
But the bright lights - if you've someone behind you and the lights are in your wing mirrors it's blinding. The street lamps are useless. Everything used to be bathed in a soft orange glow - now it's so dark. Yesterday I was struggling to see the lane markers and there was no way I saw any side roads at all. Why have those bright headlamps been allowed? The old type weren't as bright for illuminating the road but I didn't use to be permanently dazzled.

agent765 · 31/10/2023 20:16

AQuantityOfNaughtyCats · 31/10/2023 18:14

The newer headlights make it much worse than it used to be. I hate it these days and stick to lit roads when possible.

The street lights in my county are pathetic. They hardly light the pavement.

The next county over uses LED but they're a lot stronger and light some of the road. I've noticed that at junctions and other hazardous places, they seem to be brighter. They've not done that in our county.

I agree that new type headights are harder to deal with and dislike driving in the dark. My eyesight is fine but I still get the glare many describe.

The worst thing about driving at night is the inability to see some cyclists in that blind spot between oncoming cars. I have to drive on an unlit road and am extremely careful as there's one cyclist who wears all black, doesn't have lights and appears to have even removed any reflectors. He's an absolute menace to himself and other road users.

junbean · 31/10/2023 20:18

I have issues with the LED lights. They blind me. I avoid driving at night because of it. I also have sensitive eyes- I've always heard that blue eyes are very sensitive to light and I've found that to be true. I have to wear sunglasses outside, even it's not very sunny.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 31/10/2023 20:21

I think it’s astigmatism and is common. My DM has it. She’s noticed though (so have I) that at night a lot of vehicles don’t drive with dipped headlights like they’re supposed to, but with full beam headlights which dazzle other drivers.

ALongHardWinter · 31/10/2023 20:22

I know someone who had this problem and they were diagnosed with astigmatism.

MabelQ · 31/10/2023 20:23

It’s those horrible new bright headlights! I’ve been driving for 15+ years now and while I’d love to say “it’s that astigmatism!”, the truth is headlights didn’t bother me Back Then and they Do Now… but not all cars. Just extra bright white cars.

My Mom is quite a bit more sensitive to lights nowadays also (with clean bills of health from the eye doctor on big bad things!). Both of us do wear glasses, and I’m currently pregnant which can make a difference in night driving, but we have both noted a dramatic difference in the last few years. New lights are SO BRIGHT. Especially if I need to navigate around an emergency vehicle; I’m half blind by the time I get down the road if I need to go directly near one. Again, it wasn’t like this ten years ago… and at 33 I’m hardly old!