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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think headlights are too dazzling?

192 replies

IdiotsIdiotsEverywhere · 14/11/2018 20:42

I hate driving at night and it seems to be worse when other cars are coming in the opposite direction. Driving on a single carriageway this evening on a 60 MPH road and once a few cars pass together I lose complete sight of the road in front of ME!

I've tried switching between contact lenses and glasses & glasses with anti glare but no difference. It's not even the windscreen as using different cars.

OP posts:
Original poster
IdiotsIdiotsEverywhere · 14/11/2018 20:43

As in - I lose sight of the road in front of me for a second

OP posts:
SprogletsMum · 14/11/2018 20:43

No I've noticed this too. Older car headlights don't seem to dazzle in the same way that new car headlights do.

Grace212 · 14/11/2018 20:43

is it those awful new style headlights? I don't drive any more but they would have put paid to night time driving for me, I think. There was a petition to get them banned but I don't know if it got anywhere.

SlowlyShrinking · 14/11/2018 20:44

Yanbu

itsthemenopausenotme · 14/11/2018 20:44

I have the same problem, especially when it's raining. I think it's the new ultra bright headlights that are the problem and maybe also the fact that a lot of the cars on the road are big 4x4s, so maybe higher? Disclaimer: I know nothing about cars and could be wrong.

VisitorsEntrance · 14/11/2018 20:44

I quite agree. However my headlights seem to light up bugger all. I hate driving with them dipped.

Cocolepew · 14/11/2018 20:45

I drive along a country road to pick DDs up from work.
There's no lights and tonight a car completely dazzled me.
I'm crap at night driving in the dark anyway , but there are some cars whose lights seem so much brighter or they are angled differently Hmm

DramaAlpaca · 14/11/2018 20:45

It's those new LED ones, they can be dazzlingly bright.

Wagonwheelsandjammydodgers · 14/11/2018 20:45

I was thinking the very same thing the other night as I was driving trying not to loose sight of the curving road in front of me whilst going 50mph and with dazzling lights coming towards me at speed. I actually felt anxious about it!

EmbraRocks · 14/11/2018 20:45

Have just been ranting about this- some of these head lights seem ice blue and totally glare across the whole windscreen!

Cocolepew · 14/11/2018 20:46

I also hate the lights with the blue tinge. When I catch a flash of them in my mirror I always think its the blue lights of an emergency vehicle.

DontCallMeCharlotte · 14/11/2018 20:46

YANBU

Range Rovers are the worst.

DuckofDoom · 14/11/2018 20:46

I cannot understand how these new headlights are legal. They’re so bright and I can’t see a thing when they come towards me.

CrazyDuchess · 14/11/2018 20:46

YANBU!! Nearly had an accident blinded by lights on a 4x4 t9dsy on a country Lane

mineofuselessinformation · 14/11/2018 20:47

I'm told (haven't tried it admittedly) that orange-tinted glasses help.

Cachailleacha · 14/11/2018 20:47

I flash them as I had assumed they were leaving their high beams on?

SauvignonBlanche · 14/11/2018 20:47

YANBU
Last time I got new bulbs in Halfords they tried to upsell ‘new, improved extra bright bulbs’ Hmm

Bekabeech · 14/11/2018 20:47

YANBU - they are awful!

Original poster
IdiotsIdiotsEverywhere · 14/11/2018 20:47

I thought it was just me, my DH seems completely unaffected! It's worse on roads with no lights and even dual carriageways/motorways with central reservations as you then get a strobe effect too!

OP posts:
itsthemenopausenotme · 14/11/2018 20:48

I don't understand why they're allowed. Sometimes I just keep going straight ahead for the few seconds until I can see again and hope for the best. That can't be right can it?

Is there a petition somewhere maybe that we can sign?

Surfskatefamily · 14/11/2018 20:49

Yes! I thought it was just me. Its blinding
However the new leds will be mot fails soon..thank god

WowOoo · 14/11/2018 20:49

I hate it too. When another car goes over a bump in the road and there's a flash. It's so distracting. I tell Ds 'Don't talk too much. I need to focus'. Poor passengers of mine!

Toddlerteaplease · 14/11/2018 20:50

Hate the new head lights. If they are behind you they get in your mirrors. If in front they are completely dazzling. Can't see a think. On the other hand I do like the new white street lamps.

Arnoldthecat · 14/11/2018 20:50

YANBU..you are actually not required to have headlights on as long as the speed limit doesnt exceed 30mph and with just sidelights on ,you and other motorists can actually see better,,but people have this mindset that if its dark,put headlights full on and blind every bugger.

Added to this we have some people who are "upgrading" their existing headlights by changing the bulbs for types which are totally unsuited to their existing lamp/reflector unit and are illegal due to that incompatibility.

YANBU

WhyAmISoCold · 14/11/2018 20:51

YADNBU!!!! I thought it was just me too. They are awful and blinding. I cannot believe they are allowed and they will cause accidents.