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

[heyomayo]

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?

Really interesting thread thank you all. I'm 58, astigmatism in both eyes and now hate night driving. Having a check up in a week or so and will definitely ask about anti-glare coating for my specs.

• Lights are now white Many cars appear to have their lights angled wrong, either the car hasnt been for an MOT yet or they just dont understand how to adjust the beam*

Or the cars are twats like mine is, where the headlights automatically move depending on what the car is doing.

The LED headlights are a hell of a lot brighter than the old halogen lights. Great when you have them and are on a pitch black road, not so great to be facing though.

I've always disliked driving at night, more so in winter, or heavy rain. I also think, like many here, that headlights seem to be much brighter. I usually try to look at the road, slightly to the left, when there is oncoming traffic, which helps to reduce blindness after they've passed.

If you do get night driving glasses, ensure that they are BS / EN 1836 2005. Not all of them conform and can block too much light, which could render you liable, in the event of a crash.

I hate driving in the dark unless I know the roads . There seems to be so much roadworks furniture everywhere these days and in particular their cone lights on motorways are really hard for me , have to really concentrate and it's stressful .

I also notice a lot more drivers not dipping their high beam when you come towards them . Seems like everyone is semi blind in the night

I have a mild astigmatism, but that's been pretty stable in the past 20 years since I started driving. I do find LEDs hard for splaying light in general, and when driving, the oncoming headlights stray into my half of the road. Add in modern patchy streetlights with patches of light and dull patches (which may well conceal camoflaged pedestrians) rather than the warm, more consistent glow of sodium lights and it's just a harder environment than it was 10+ years ago.

The height of SUVs is worse. 6' DH also has an astigmatism and doesn't find it in his face nearly as much. At 5'2", my sun visor is permanently down and really I could do with a sunvisor on my sun visor. My car has a more upright driving position than my previous more traditional car, and it's a slight improvement.

I hate it when on an unlit, bendy road and a higher car starts tailgating me and floodlighting from behind. While I can flip the rear view, I can't do anything about the wing mirrors or general backlighting that means I'm sitting in my own shadow which disturbs my night vision which means I end up slowing down from my 50mph to closer to 40mph to improve my reaction distance, so they're counterproductive to their own urgency.

Poor road markings that have worn off or are masked by rain, and uneven road surfaces also do not help.

When an older car with yellowish lights passes, it's zero issue. It is the light type and intensity of modern lighting that is the major problem.

My night vision itself is very good and I'm happy running or walking in the dark or consistently illuminated places, and my optician has no concerns.

The car behind's lights shine in the DOOR WING MIRROR as I clearly said in my post.

I find motorway driving ok as oncoming headlights are blocked by the central reservation barriers, but local roads crowded with SUVs with bright headlights are a nightmare. Bought night driving glasses online from amazon (£18) and they turn the glare to yellow which is somewhat easier to adjust to when driving in dark or rain

I am the same and also went to the optician and my eyes are fine. I find the modern white lights on cars are far more dazzling than the amber coloured weaker lights of when I passed my test.

I drive a fairly low car now and thinking about it I didn't have such a problem in my old beloved Picasso.

I have the exact same issue. I also find that if it's wet, the road surfaces are shiny and the lines no longer show up. I've got the drive coating on my glasses and it dies help. But I still really struggle.

The new super bright lights are a big problem.

On country roads I often see cars coming towards me for quite a while before they dip their headlights.

I suspect many people just let their cars dip automatically. I have recently changed my car and for the first time I can set my lights to an automatic setting. I have decided not to use it at night as I am quicker at dipping my headlights than the car is.

That plus brighter and higher lights are the main problems I think.

I do recommend anti glare glasses for anyone (like me) with an astigmatism, but they might not help the OP if she has perfect vision

When it gets dark have a look at a street light do you see a halo, starburst or both?

I have a Picasso and it's certainly a problem for me!

Not directed at me but I see both. What does that mean?

The beginning of cataracts sometimes. It's worth discussing with your optician.

Because of my glaucoma they did my cataracts at the same time. The halos have disappeared.

As said before, having an astigmatism is very normal, in fact you are more likely to have one than not. Although it does make light seem to glare in one direction it doesn’t suddenly come on or change a huge amount.

If you google there are a lot of photos online that compare driving with astigmatism and without at night.

It's always looked like that to me and I just thought I was shit at night driving, but it turns out it's my eyes.

Yes they are. I had some but due to needing prescription glasses when I drive, and the night vision ones not being wrap around ones. Wearing them over my own glasses got irritating after a while. I've just given my pair to my OH who is a Truck driver so does a lot of night driving and he said he couldn't believe the difference they made, especially on the motorway. I'm going to look for a pair that will fit properly over my glasses or some that will clip onto the lenses. The only thing for me is the lights still bounced off in all directions but with the night vision glasses it wasn't as harsh on my eyes. I do have astigmatisms in both of my eyes though

Lots of newer cars have really fierce bright white lights. They really dazzle. Eve when dipped. I don’t think the owners realise. I flash my lights at them like mad ti try to tell them. It makes driving at night really horrible.