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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:

manticlimactic · 18/12/2011 11:15

I hate those cars with the halogen headlights (Audi's?) and I've also noticed a a lot of people seem to have them in their bumper, like a row of dots. I'm sure these aren't standard on these cars as some I've seen the card are old jallopies.

eurochick · 18/12/2011 11:34

I agree with whoever said to please stop driving at night if you feel like you can't see the road!

I quite like driving at night. It's great on single track roads because oncoming headlights warn you that there is a car out of sight around the corner. And lit streets are just fine. Unlit empty motorways and duel carriageways can be very dark but at least you can use your full beams to light up the whole road if there is no one else around to be dazzled by them.

valiumredhead · 18/12/2011 11:36

I have those bright lights, are they very dazzling? Sorry!

manticlimactic · 18/12/2011 12:08

Which ones valium ? The audi ones or the single row in the bumper. They are quite bright (either one) but the ones in the bumpers are really really bright like front fog lights. I only really have a problem with the Audis when I get flashed to be let out. Someone did it the other day at a junction and I was seriously blinded for a few seconds.

valiumredhead · 18/12/2011 12:16

Bright ones with a kind of bluish tint - not an Audi though. They are fab for driving at night if you are the driver much better than our old normal ones. I don't flash at night unless it's essential.

AmIthatbad · 18/12/2011 19:12

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

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 18/12/2011 19:16

OP... if you're really strugglng with determining the 'look' of the road, you could get a satnav. You can see at a glance how the road 'looks' as it's in front of you on the screen. I find it very useful when I'm on unfamiliar country roads.

suburbandream · 18/12/2011 19:22

Another night-driving hater here! I get dazzled from oncoming cars and those behind me! Hate, hate hate it! It's dark when we are leaving school now, thank goodness the DCs have finished for Xmas. Roll on the spring.

MaMattoo · 18/12/2011 19:23

I see your point. I am a little more painfully specific. I don't like reversing in the dark when it is raining. Have bumped the car twice while doing this dark, rain, reverse manoeuvre and am now becoming increasingly anxious about it.

Lorna99 · 18/12/2011 19:27

I hate driving at night too. It's OK in towns but there's a bypass here where you literally can barely see at all, there's no lights, only cats eyes.

CheeryCherry · 18/12/2011 19:34

My eyesight is fine, but I have noticed this problem with glaring headlights from oncoming traffic - I have flashed the odd car when I thought they'd left their beam on - only for them to flash me back to prove otherwise! Will try focus on the road as Needittostop said - but not sure it will work on narrow country lanes.

maybenow · 18/12/2011 19:41

i'm not at all fond of it i have to say and i do slow to around 50mph on national speed limit roads and the people behind just have to lump it. I do pull into a layby if somebody's been behind me for a while though, i'm not totally inconsiderate.

i hate when people who know the road well are impatient with those of us who can't see a fucking thing and actually slow when the road says SLOW.

WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes · 18/12/2011 19:44

I do think a lot of it is the halogen headlamps, they are so bright that even when you look at the road and to the left they still dazzle you.

I find it much more tiring than daytime driving because of the increased amount of concentration required, but fortunately don't do a great deal of night time driving now. I used to have a 45 min cross country commute on a busy, winding, unlit, single carriageway A road which was horrible in winter, I was going against the flow which meant I was constantly dazzled and rarely able to use main beam, even though I knew the road like the back of my hand it was still unpleasant, I was glad to see the back of that job.

valiumredhead · 18/12/2011 21:24

Mamatoo wind down your window and stick your head out to reverse when it rains - use your side mirrors too - MUCH easier!

upahill · 18/12/2011 21:47

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!!!!!!!!! Em Pony who said they carried on at 60mph regardless?
I have gone through the thread and nobody stated that.
People (including myself) said they enjoyed driving at night but didn't say that they drove in the same manner as they did in the day time.

To reiterate I like to drive at night because it is quieter and I can get to where I want without queues and stop and starting all the time.

ILoveFrogs · 18/12/2011 22:00

Oh I hate it too!

I need to drive on a pitch black country road to get home at night and it is horrible, the lanes are so narrow, it's full of sharp bends and there are no lights whatsoever. I like when I'm the only car on it because I can use my full beam but when it's quite busy I get dazzled by all the headlights coming towards me and I can't see the edge of the road..... I always put my front fog lights on, just until I get into the village where there are streetlights.

ImperialBlether · 18/12/2011 22:12

I'm so glad to read this thread. I thought it was just me. I find it hard to see the actual road in those conditions and can't stand the drivers right up behind me, wanting me to speed up when I can't see where I'm going.

upahill · 18/12/2011 22:19

What is wrong with those that can't see. It makes you sound manic and dangerous.
As others have said check you windscreen for smears and dirt - this plays a huge part in visability and check your eyes.
You should be able to see the road and markings. If not get off the damm thing. Think of cyclist and scooters if you can't see.

Now I'm scared!!!

skybluepearl · 18/12/2011 22:36

if the lights are dazzling you, you need to get your eyes tested. Good glasses can help

PigletJohn · 18/12/2011 23:03

It is quite usual for people to find it difficult at night as they get older. The eye reacts slower to light and dark, as well as becoming generally less good.

start by having your eyes tested and describing the problem to your optician.

I was with a group of people who were mown down by a driver past retirement age outside a small town. It was a straight, broad road and there were street lights but no pavement and we had just crossed from other side. He said he had been dazzled by the lights of a car coming the other way. So if you can't see properly at night, please please please stop driving when you can't see.

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