To object to being blinded by car headlights

[CrazyOldBagLady]

Is it just me or does everyone else have the problem that many modern cars with LED/xenon headlights, although being great for the driver whose road is well lit, blind any other driver that has to stare at them whether oncoming or beaming straight into the rearview mirror? This is a major safety issue for me at the moment, especially in the dark winter evenings.

Disclaimer: I may have been daft enough to buy a two seater that sits close to the ground, meaning that I'm at the right hight to be staring directly into everyone's headlamps.

[Notbythehaironmychinnychinchin]

Yes problem for me - I have a hatchback. It's those ones with the blue-ish tinge that seem worse.

[helenenemo]

Totally agree! I'm constantly dipping my rear view mirror.

Also, lots of people seem to have their fog lights on all the time.

[stinkingbishop]

Yay! Campaign! Petition!

I really think it should be a driving offence to have full beam on inappropriately. And something needs to be done (DVLA? DoT?) to influence the manufacturers' light design.

I'm rural too, so have the problem with narrow roads, bends etc...but tbh I get it on straight dual carriageways too where the lights are so bloomin' bright that if you're opposite each other in the overtaking lane ie separated by a verge it's still dazzling.

Let's rise up. What do we want? To be able to see where we're going. When do we want it? Any time after 4pm...

[EverythingsRunningAway]

have even resorted to wearing my sunglasses which really helps but is probably illegal.



I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this.

The idea of you sitting in your sunglasses in the dark is comical, but it's actually quite frightening that you feel you need them due to dazzle!

[EleanorAbernathy]

I'd sign a petition on this, it's the extra-bright dipped beam headlights that make me see spots!

I also have a low down two-seater, and actually find approaching headlights a bit easier now than in my last car (a KA) - I'm also nicely underneath the floodlights that seem to be on the fronts of 4x4s these days too. The ones in the rear view mirror seem ten times worse now I'm lower down though!

[MokunMokun]

He was not a friend of mine but someone from work that I was giving a lift. I don't work there now but I wonder if that attitude is common now because I get dazzled a lot. I also hate it with a passion.

[ipswichwitch]

I have a huge problem with this too. My eyes are very light sensitive and used to be absolutely fine driving at night. Not now since these headlights came in.

As yes, we have a lot of people who have their fog lights on all the time here too. Why the fuck do people do this? There's never any fog and all it does is blind everyone. More often I see them with only one working because the bulbs go more frequently than regular ones as they're not designed to be on all the bloody time. Do they think it makes their car look amazing or expensive or something?

[OddBoots]

I'm so glad I read this, I thought it was my eyes changing as I have got older - my night vision is very good but these headlights, particularly on otherwise unlit roads, really reduce what I can see.

Most modern cars have the low down 'driving lights' - these could be brighter if there is a need for more lighting as they are low and point at the ground but there must be a way to filter headlights to stop them glaring. LEDs themselves aren't the problem, they come in a range of strengths and shades, the car makers need to either decide to or be made to use the right ones with the right filters.

In the mean time I'm going to double check that mine and dh's are are suitably dipped.

[evelynj]

YANBU, I hate it.

There is a say no to xenon campaign somewhere, maybe we can get MN to make this the next campaign? I hate it too. Having moved from city where it's not soo bad as all the street lights diffuse the problem, on country roads with no lights, it's hideous.

Mokun, you need to show your friend this thread or get him to talk to a police officer as he is a tosser for thinking you should drive with full beam on when there are other cars around.

I try to avoid going out in the dark as much as possible in winter, it's depressing

[wonkylegs]

I know I can flick the mirror to stop the dazzle in that but because I have a particularly narrow car I still get blinded by them in the side mirrors.
I hate hate hate this.
Incorrect use of lights & indicators also seems to common in modern drivers.
We live in a part of the country that regularly suffers from fog. The numbers of drivers without any lights on at all is astounding. They seem to be oblivious to the fact they are invisible in the gloom.

[evelynj]

[http://www.lightmare.org/What_you_say.htm]

[evelynj]

www.lightmare.org/What_you_say.htm

[Shakirasma]

I'm so glad to see it's not me with the problem. I have been ranting in RL for ages about this. I have a little 107 and my rural area is full of 4x4s which sit right up your backside and dazzle in my rear view mirror. Then when they appear round the oncoming corners it's blinding.

I don't understand why manufacturers have started making them so ridiculously bright, when it is known to be dangerous to dazzle other road users. I would happily support any campaign to stop this.

[EleanorAbernathy]

Also, I think my headlights may be Xenon ones or similar- hopefully as I'm lower down they're not shining straight into anybody's eyes, but I have noticed I've been flashed a couple of times when I've been driving up hills towards people, as though they think I have my full beams on!

[minkymuskyslyoldstoaty]

Oddboots same here as i have got older my vision has changed. i can see and my prescription is up to date.

My friend and i were discussing this the other day and it it the same for her. i have to drive in lanes i live in the depths of Devon. using the hedge as a guide most stretches of road even when there is enough room for two cars. Often the cats eyes are broken.
i do tilt my rear view mirror but obviously this does nothing to help the oncoming frenzy.
i would happily sign anything to stop these ridiculous head lights.
so so unnecessary and bloody dangerous. having to slow down all the time because i cannot see.

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

Yes, have been noticing this particularly since clocks changed, and as others have said end up navigating country roads by memory rather than vision which can't be good.

[Merrylegs]

Blimey, another one here who thought it was my eyes. Another common thing seems to be that one light will be broken or duller so by contrast the working light beams out even brighter and is more blinding. So dangerous.

[kungfupannda]

I also wish the national habit of flashing full beam lights to thank someone would die a death. It's a nightmare down the lanes we live. They're single track and you are constantly stopping and starting. I have no idea who came up with the theory that flashing a really bright light in someone's eye was a nice way to say thank you!

I always flick mine down rather than up. It's still an acknowledgement but it doesn't leave people with little coloured blotches floating in front of their eyes.

[Bunbaker]

"Totally agree! I'm constantly dipping my rear view mirror."

I think my rear view mirror must have some kind of special coating because headlights behind me are muted and don't dazzle.

Rules 114 and 115 clarify headlight usage.

[Bluebiscuits]

I have this problem too! I have just bought some night driving glasses off Amazon for the bargain price of £8.50. They have yellow lenses and are supposed to cut out headlight glare. I haven't tried them yet so cant tell you if they help!

[minkymuskyslyoldstoaty]

round here Devon there seems to be a rule that we don't flash our headlights as a thanks after dark.
thank god

[Purplecircle]

My car automatically dips them, and it's always too late. It waits to,see the beam of another car, rather than it coming round a corner for example. It drives me mad, I'm always getting flashed by other motorists.

I need to find out how to switch the automatic thing off!

[effinandjeffin]

Yup, I also thought it was my eyes changing as I got older. Would gladly sign a petition about it, I was nearly blinded the other day by a 4x4 whose headlights were at eye level. I try and avoid driving at night now.

[OttiliaVonBCup]

I was just thinking of this the other day after the clocks changed.
I thought things were getting worse that last year, but then I decided I was imagining things.

Glad it's not just me, well, on one level.

[ghostyslovesheep]

YANBU it's got a lot worse - I find myself driving with my eyes down therefore not fully aware of everything which is crazy but it's that or be blinded