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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to hate driving at night?

95 replies

bejeezus · 15/12/2011 21:41

I've been driving for 2008 years and I've just admitted this to myself after an awful 3 hour journey home in the dark;

I can't bloody see. I feel dazzled by on coming cars and after they've passed, its so dark and the head lights are still burning in my retinas. And when there are no oncoming cars, its just dark!

I'm often driving 5-10mph less than the speed limit with traffic building up behind me! I find it so stressful

How come everyone else can see well enough to drive at normal/daylight speeds?

OP posts:

HMTheQueen · 16/12/2011 10:06

night blindness

Original poster

bejeezus · 16/12/2011 10:21

Thank-you your majesty

penny I also love 'getting stuck' behind little old ladies/tractors/whatever. And I love 30mph limits!
Going to ask my optician about this though....

And maybe get an Audi!!

OP posts:

fuzzynavel · 16/12/2011 10:25

YANBU
I don't mind it in London where the streets are lit up but out in the country it teriffies me

valiumredhead · 16/12/2011 10:41

Yes I agree London is very different at night - in fact I took loads of driving lessons at night in London, it's hardly different than in the day.

prettyfly1 · 16/12/2011 10:44

Me too - hate it. Cant see, panic totally and just spend the whole thing terrified. Bleurgh.

DoesntChristmasDragOn · 16/12/2011 10:47

"but I don't like to because I like to see what's really going on, if that makes sense."

Um... so you'd rather be blind by headlights than the perfectly adequate view in a "dipped" rear view mirror? My car has drug dealer windows privacy glass at the rear and I've realised this does a fab job of dimming the headlights of cars behind me.

Don't get me wrong, by the way, I also find my vision compromised at night - very tunnel like, especially with no street lights, and worse when it's raining. I wear glasses for driving and it is essential that they have no scratches scuffs or smears on or these catch headlights and glare. My night vision improved greatly with my recent new glasses - the prescription was no different but the lenses were clean and clear :o

Needittostop · 16/12/2011 10:57

It might sound dumb, but try not looking at the headlights - when another car is coming towards you, focus on the line on the road on the left hand side, then the other lights wont blind you. I used to hate driving at night for the same reasons as you, until someone pointed out that I was actually staring at the lights - no wonder I was getting blinded.

jasminerice · 16/12/2011 10:57

Hey, glad it's not just me, I thought I was some sort of wierd freak as I simply cannot see at night when driving. It's better if the road is empty, no other cars and no headlights etc but on busy roads I can't see properly at all cos of the glare of headlights and literally crawl along, would be quicker to walk.

turkeysandwich · 16/12/2011 11:14

Me too!! I get dazzled by the headlights and really have to concentrate. Just cant see, thought it was only me, nice to know im not alone.

valiumredhead · 16/12/2011 11:20

Need do you mean the centre road markings or where the road meets the pavement? I agree about not looking directly at the lights.

DoesntChristmasDragOn · 16/12/2011 11:55

If the centre line is on your left you're either driving really badly or are not in the UK. :o

valiumredhead · 16/12/2011 12:04

I thought I had better make sure christmas

AriesWithBellsOn · 16/12/2011 12:06

I'd suggest keeping the inside of the windscreen really, really clean. If it gets grubby and greasy, light from oncoming vehicles diffuses and makes it really hard to see. Keep your windscreen wipers really clean as well - wiping them with vinegar works well. And if you're having trouble seeing the road, make sure the tilt of your headlights is suitably adjusted. You can also adjust the rear view mirror by clicking it upwards so that vehicles behind you don't dazzle you as well.

I have this problem a little and the above always helps. What it doesn't help is the impatience I feel when my husband shouts "Pull over and I'll drive for fuck's sake!"

valiumredhead · 16/12/2011 12:10

I NEVER drive my husband ANYWHERE because there is no better driver than him in the WHOLE world.

FlossieFromCrapstonVillas · 16/12/2011 12:46

I live very rurally and I also put it down to lack of street lighting, it's non exsistent on many roads near me. I've also never had this problem before really, perhaps it's my new Fiat 500!

Needittostop · 16/12/2011 14:25

i meant the line on the left, before the pavement furtherist (is that a word) from the headlights

valiumredhead · 17/12/2011 10:08

Ok - will give that a go next time a drive at night!

ZenPom · 17/12/2011 10:20

YANBU

I hate it too and had a white knuckle drive home in the dark on wildly icy roads. It was awful and there were buffoons driving quickly then becoming all impatient and overtaking when the roads were like polished glass.

You can push your rear mirror down a bit so you can still see but not become dazzled.

And swearing helps.

Ponyofdoom · 17/12/2011 12:50

Actually I think NONE of us can see well at night with headlights coming the other way; its just that SOME people dont worry as much as they SHOULD do about the blind spot/peds in dark clothes. So we should worry more about those who say that they CAN see and carry on at 60mph!!!!!!!!!

valiumredhead · 17/12/2011 12:52

Good point pony!!

Original poster

bejeezus · 17/12/2011 19:14

That is really what I was wondering I suppose pony!

OP posts:

dairyhog · 18/12/2011 06:50

AmIthatbad · 18/12/2011 07:42

Well, I had a drive down the A9 this evening. Very dark, could hardly see the road in places. This is an A road that alternates between dual and single carriageway. What a nightmare. At some spots I had to slow down to 40 as I couldn't see where the road ahead was, but still had total arseholes up my backside.

I had precious cargo (my DD), no way was I risking her life.

I hope all you speedsters enjoyed the extra three minutes you gained

MabelLucyAttwell · 18/12/2011 07:51

NettoHoHoHoSuperstar

Don't worry about it. You probably know the route so it will be easy for you. What I find difficult is driving in the dark in an area you don't know.

HairyBeaver · 18/12/2011 09:19

Thank god I found this thread!! I thought it was only me that panicked on major/country roads at night.

I hate not being able to see where the road bends as clearly as you can during the day, and I too drive a bit slower. I'm fine where theres street lights and i dont have trouble with being blinded by lights. I just don't like not knowing if theres a sharp corner coming up well in advance which you can see in daylight.

I thought it was because I only passed my test 3 weeks ago

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