Not to drive on unlit roads at night?

[Cantdriveatnight]

I struggle to see on unlit roads at night. I don't know if this is an age thing because I've only been driving for a few years and I live in a fairly built up area where almost all roads have street lighting.

So although I do go out in my car in the dark, I do it as little as possible.

The only time this causes a slight issue is when I drive to visit my partner, as it means I have to take at least one afternoon off work (as the journey involves using the motorway) to go in daylight hours. Obviously this won't be a problem later in the year once the evenings are lighter, but I can't see any other way round it.

I don't feel safe driving in the dark on the motorway so I think it's better to stick to daylight. It does limit when I can travel obviously but I don't see any way round it. I do wear glasses for reading (very weak prescription), I've tried wearing them to drive but it doesn't make any difference.

[quote Covidcovid]I don’t think glasses “correct” astigmatism. It’s to do with the shape of your eyeball or something. Even specsavers have some info on their website saying how difficult it can be.

They recommend anti glare lenses (got them) or try contact lenses (can’t wear them). I think there are different degrees of astigmatism, mine is severe.
www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/glasses-lenses/astigmatism-and-driving-at-night[/quote]
My glasses sort out my astigmatism. It's the SPH, CYL and AXIS on your prescription. I don't think it's helpful to tell OP this isn't fixable when it is for a lot of people.
From your link:
"Once your optometrist has tested your eyes and determined the right prescription glasses or contact lenses for you, you’ll find driving much easier because light will be focussing properly on your retina and this should therefore improve your vision."

Contact lenses are also an option:
"Mild astigmatism can be corrected by an ordinary gas-permeable lens while others with higher amounts of astigmatism might benefit from special 'toric' soft lenses to fit your eye shape." (also from your link).

New car lights are much brighter I’m sure. And higher- everyone drives an SUV. Really do try and avoid driving at night these days too. Absolutely hate it.

I have astigmatism and drive quite a lot on unlit rural roads. I find glare from oncoming headlights really strong, but I think I've had the problem for so long (and also thought it was normal for years) that I've just worked out ways around it. I look at the verge when the oncoming car gets close so I have something to steer by, and as soon as the lights have passed me I look down the centre of the road again.

It does me a little while to adjust to winter driving, though.

I definitely see halos coming off lights, I was once told this was common if you'd had laser eye surgery.
I drive at night but in town no problem, it's just when there are no street lights.
Also confident drivers drive up my bumper as they want me to go faster.

@Puffalicious

Obviously don't drive if you don't feel safe, but when I hear people say these kinds of things (also won't drive in snow/ heavy rain/ outside their local area) I do sort of think if you've passed your test you should be capable of driving most places and in most conditions. Unfortunately everyone I've ever heard say these things are women and that depresses me.

Or on motorways.

I know too many women like this. Usually it is because their husbands "prefer to drive".

Not being able to see well in the dark is a separate issue, but the only way to build up confidence in driving in unfamiliar areas/motorway driving is to just keep practising.

I have astigmatism and didn’t know that @Covidcovid I always thought that’s what everyone saw and I was just a wuss! Thank you so much for posting

@Cantdriveatnight

My partner doesn't get why I find it difficult. He's not pressuring me to drive but I know he feels bad I have to use holiday to go to his house when (if I could drive at night) I could just go after working hours or even later in the evening - when he travels to me he drives at 8-9pm when it can take 30-45 mins less as no traffic etc.

Well, that's sorted by him driving to you then, isn't it?

I struggle too. I am very shortsighted and have some astigmatism, which is properly corrected by glasses or contact lenses, but I still can't see as well as I'd like. I will go out if I need to, but it requires extreme concentration.

@Covidcovid thats seriously interesting i assumed everyone saw the bottom picture.

IMO it’s an age thing I’m afraid - your night vision does often deteriorate. I won’t drive on unlit roads with no cats’ eyes at night any more. But having said that, I’m fairly ancient now, and it’s only in the last few years I haven’t felt comfortable doing it.

@Covidcovid

Here.

If there’s no cars coming towards me I’m fine. Any oncoming traffic and I can’t see anything.

YES!! That is me!! It's the oncoming traffic. I cannot see if I am going to drive into the side of something

Not unreasonable - always had a problem with night driving - a lot of my friends declare that it's actually safer - I ruddy hate it and have glasses to help with distance. The recent fog was vile early morning and late night (work and back)...also the glare from headlights omg I hate it!

@NeverDropYourMoonCup we take it in turns, so I'm only driving to him 1-2 times a month, but obviously it would be unfair to make him come to me every time.

I bloody hate driving in the dark. The lights reflect off my glasses.

However, unlit roads are fine as I put full beam on until a car comes towards me.

A tip however, make sure your windscreen is scrupulously clean inside. It makes all the difference.
I had my car professionally valeted last year (I have a dog) as I was due to go away for xmas with my friends and I as driving. I honestly couldn't believe the difference.

Don't drive in the dark now since I lost my job due to covid.

Valeted, Dec 2019, I've lost all track of time 😂

You have a problem.

Get your eyes checked out. But good on you for not driving if you feel unsafe but seriously, you need to get yoru eyes sorted.

I am mid 60s. I have had major surgery on both my eyes, which gives me glare at night, but I can drive and feel safe

I had my eyesight checked less than 6 months ago, and I do have glasses to wear but I don't need them really other than for reading (and it doesn't make a difference even if I wear my glasses).

My car headlights are fine, it is an older car with non LED lights. The windscreen is very clean. DP drives my car at night with no problem, it is definitely my issue.

I'm
The same. I'm 31 and I've never being able to see properly at night, especially on unlit roads. when a car comes the opposite way with their lights it just blinds me. I don't offer drive in the dark. I have regular check ups at the opticians too and eye sight is fine.

@bungaloid

Dark roads where everyone else has crossovers / SUVs with higher position blinding bright lights has made driving harder over the last 10 years. Or I'm getting old / grumpy.

This! I have a tiny car and lots of lights are in my eyeline. Also many of them are bright white instead of yellow which makes it harder

I am fairly a young (30s) and a new driver and live rurally. I sometimes have to drive in the dark but I really dislike it, especially if it is also rainy or windy. I always feel I can't see and am not in such good control of the vehicle. In the winters when my DC are at school I accept I will have to, but for now I avoid it whenever possible. It's totally up to you OP and if you can make it work for you avoiding night driving, I think it's a perfectly valid decision to make.

Have you got your headlights aligned properly? There should be a knob or somesuch on the dashboard or beside the steering wheel that raises and lowers the beam. It is mainly for use when you have a heavy load in the boot which weighs the back end of the car down, so you can adjust the lights so they are pointing forwards rather than skywards.

Yours might be adjusted too low, so they aren't lighting the road far enough ahead.

Just gotta say... I'm mid 60s. Do not give in to this. You may always have to be able to drive at night, to give in when you are in your 30s, well.... you may regret it. Keep going

Both me and my son went for an eye test recently. As part of it the optician took a photo of the back of the eye (through the pupil). I remarked that my son's image was loads clearer and asked if I was looking in the wrong direction, did he want me to try again? Optician replied, 'no - that's expected your pupils shrink as you get older as the controlling muscles change so they don't let in as much light and the picture of your eyes cannot be as clear as your son's for this reason,' he added to illustrate his point 'this is why night driving gets more difficult as you get older and why you start to need good lighting to see smaller print and so on, it's an inevitable process'.
I'm 44 and have just recently started to notice night driving isn't as easy as it used to be.

This thread has been interesting - I also find headlights dazzling like in the pic Covidcovid posted and I also have astigmatism. I'm not even 30 though so I hope it doesn't get much worse At the moment though I only find it difficult during rush hour with lots and lots of headlights coming at me but thankfully my working hours mean I can avoid peak times.