Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
madeinmanc · 31/10/2023 20:23

agent765 · 31/10/2023 20:16

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.

Show quote history

I recently had a very near miss as a cyclist in a shared path due to these reasons. The cycle path is contraflow bidirectional* so if you imagine I was on the left of the path which runs along the road just like a pavement, I get blinded by the oncoming dazzling lights of an SUV and then in that same split second a cyclist all in black without lights is coming right at me! 😧

These new headlights need to be legislated on, it's got ridiculous.

  • Edit: I meant bidirectional
GonnaGetGoingReturns · 31/10/2023 20:25

madeinmanc · 31/10/2023 20:23

I recently had a very near miss as a cyclist in a shared path due to these reasons. The cycle path is contraflow bidirectional* so if you imagine I was on the left of the path which runs along the road just like a pavement, I get blinded by the oncoming dazzling lights of an SUV and then in that same split second a cyclist all in black without lights is coming right at me! 😧

These new headlights need to be legislated on, it's got ridiculous.

  • Edit: I meant bidirectional
Edited
Show quote history

But can’t the new headlights be switched from dipped to full or isn’t this possible? Or when they’re dimmed are they extra bright?

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 31/10/2023 20:26

madeinmanc · 31/10/2023 20:23

I recently had a very near miss as a cyclist in a shared path due to these reasons. The cycle path is contraflow bidirectional* so if you imagine I was on the left of the path which runs along the road just like a pavement, I get blinded by the oncoming dazzling lights of an SUV and then in that same split second a cyclist all in black without lights is coming right at me! 😧

These new headlights need to be legislated on, it's got ridiculous.

  • Edit: I meant bidirectional
Edited
Show quote history

I had this last night, a near miss with a cyclist in black, no lights or reflective clothing on.

madeinmanc · 31/10/2023 20:27

Yes, but in my example it's also the fault of the oncoming motorist for blinding me.

BetiYeti · 31/10/2023 20:28

I’ve had astigmatism for years. I think the newer headlights on cars make it far worse. I don’t remember having a problem with night driving when I passed my test 15 years ago, I used to drive hundreds of miles in the dark. Now I hate even a short journey. Have my eyes regularly checked and mentioned the dazzle to my optician, he wasn’t concerned.

Nousernamesavaliable · 31/10/2023 20:29

This! I had this conversation earlier with my parents.... I'm 34 BTW with perfect vision ( option seems to think) but driving in the dark baffles me... its like my eyes just don't work!

Ladybird69 · 31/10/2023 20:30

Yep even when I’m a passenger I can’t see because of the bright lights/glare of the other cars. I have night driving glasses which are fine for local journeys but anything longer than hour drive or motorway driving and my vision would be blurred and eye’s sore and running 😩

PumkinPorridge · 31/10/2023 20:31

Have you got a bright sat nav or other display in your car. Even with the brightness turned right down I find the brightness of my inbuilt sat nav distracting when I drive at night.

DuesToTheDirt · 31/10/2023 20:32

It's not you, it's the cars. Newer headlights are horrendously bright and dazzling I think they need stricter regulation.

greengreengrass25 · 31/10/2023 20:32

Yes I'm noticing this as well

madeinmanc · 31/10/2023 20:33

If everyone agrees why isn't anything being done about it?

MachinesOfGod · 31/10/2023 20:34

Astigmatism, rugby ball shaped eyes. Although you’d expect the optician to have pointed this out on your prescription, etc.

I have glasses specially for night time driving due to my astigmatism.

DyslexicPoster · 31/10/2023 20:35

I think it's brighter headlights and less street lights.

I want my independence so I keep driving at night so I don't loose that skill.

itsmylife7 · 31/10/2023 20:39

it's all the ridiculously massive cars with the stupid new type of headlights, that makes driving in the dark for THEM amazing but blinds the rest of us.

FrancisFriedFish · 31/10/2023 20:40

I try and avoid driving at night. It's terrible with contact lenses and not really that much better with glasses. It's ok on motorways or well lit roads but country lanes are dreadful, I really struggle with the position of headlights on approaching cars.

greengreengrass25 · 31/10/2023 20:41

FrancisFriedFish · 31/10/2023 20:40

I try and avoid driving at night. It's terrible with contact lenses and not really that much better with glasses. It's ok on motorways or well lit roads but country lanes are dreadful, I really struggle with the position of headlights on approaching cars.

Yes definitely worse with contacts

Boomboom22 · 31/10/2023 20:43

You need to be in a high position as all the new cars are super high.

shardash · 31/10/2023 20:45

Oncoming bright headlights are horrible but at least they are soon past you. The ones I hate are travelling for miles behind you on country roads, and they seem to position themselves in such a way that their lights shine in the driver's door mirror. It really takes your night vision away.

RandomQuestionOfTheDay · 31/10/2023 21:04

I really struggle for all the reasons listed above! But it’s also partly my car. If I drive DH’s car it’s absolutely fine, with mine I’m squinting trying to see where the hell the road is going, pissing off everyone behind me because I can’t safely go at 60mph, dazzled by oncoming traffic because I’m concentrating so hard.

I’ve tried new bulbs, different positioning of the lights, cleaning the lights, cleaning the windscreen inside and out. Helped slightly but not enough. It’s a Nissan Juke and I think the problem is the shape of the car bonnet that gets in the way of the lights, or the shape/ position of the lights on the bonnet maybe.

Ive had a horrible 3 hour drive home in the dark and driving rain tonight.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 31/10/2023 21:09

I have astigmatism but can drive fine at night. I always look at my side of the white line, never at the cars coming the other way.

I do hate those bright white lights in my rear view mirror though.

I'm 45 and been driving for 25 years and have to do school runs in the dark from October to March so no choice even if I don't like it.

ACGTHelixA · 31/10/2023 21:11

for me its the limits of the light beams that make it more difficult, when riding a bicycle down dark country lanes i can see better with my lights pointed more at the ground so then i can see further ahead.

MyOtherNameToday · 31/10/2023 21:13

I've always had astigmatism but it's only become a problem in the last two years.

agent765 · 31/10/2023 21:15

shardash · 31/10/2023 20:45

Oncoming bright headlights are horrible but at least they are soon past you. The ones I hate are travelling for miles behind you on country roads, and they seem to position themselves in such a way that their lights shine in the driver's door mirror. It really takes your night vision away.

Flip your rear view mirror tab so you're not dazzled from behind.

MadeOfAllWork · 31/10/2023 21:22

I have a very high short sighted prescription, I also have an astigmatism.
However as a teen/20 something I could happily drive around the unlit country roads.

Now, pushing 50, I can’t see a thing.

Two things have changed. Car headlights and my age. I’ve always had an astigmatism.