To ask how the hell to drive in the dark and rain?

[hanketypankety]

So yesterday I got caught driving home in a huge rainstorm. It was dark and I was driving along a main road but in an area surrounded by fields and no street lights. I'm embarrassed to say that I panicked and was crying in the car because I genuinely could not see a thing. To make it worse, lots of cars were either riding up my arse or overtaking me very fast. I eventually came up to an estate and pulled over to quietly have a stern word with myself to pull it together. But I guess I was just a bit overwhelmed that the majority of the traffic continued to be able to drive at the speed limit of 60 quite happily. I honestly could not see the road markings and that road often floods so no idea if and when I would hit a huge puddle and either skid off or flood my car. Any tips? Please be kind as I was genuinely frightened

When headlights were mostly the same size and brightness your eyes adjusted to them but now all bets are off. On the dual carriageway it's like looking at a fairground with all the different lights. A new Audi brake light is like a Vegas strip!

Nothing to do with needing an eye test OP and everything to do with recklessness and a lack of imagination in other drivers. I have decent eyesight, if I can't see, nor can anyone else.

People need to dip their headlights when people are coming towards them but they rely on automatic lights which react more slowly than I do, and of course many cars have those ridiculous white lights which should be banned as they are far too bright.

If the conditions are bad, you slow down. But lots of drivers don't agree with me.

You sounds like a dangerous driver to be honest, even if you don't intend to be Nonsense. The dangerous ones are the ones who won't drive according to the road conditions!

I'm the same. It's awful. Sending you big hugs

Exactly this!

The trick is to follow someone else and focus on their rear lights.

😆

Astigmatism makes lights even more difficult to see - but sometimes, it's just not safe to continue and it's the only sensible thing to do to pull over. We get that happening fairly frequently where we are and it's quite reassuring to see the cars pulling over and waiting it out, rather than charging on blindly, convinced that you are perfectly safe because you're in a car.

Don't follow somebody else's lights, as that makes it too easy to get into more trouble; after all, what if they're following somebody else's lights and that person makes a mistake or aquaplanes?

If the speed limit is 60 but there is torrential rain the other drivers shouldn't be going that fast. Hitting a flooded bit of road at 60 is bloody dangerous.

I'm an experienced driver but I hate wet night time driving too

I’m not overly keen driving on unlit roads and I’m an experienced driver. Nothing comes close to driving in Florida storms though

I used to be like this on a section of the road on the way back from a dd - no lights, no road markings, etc. I just used to try to follow the rear lights of the car in front - mostly going a lot faster - but did try to avoid that road after dark.

Road markings are much improved now though, thank goodness.

You don’t say how old you are OP, and in any case I doubt you’re anything like as old as I am, but night vision does deteriorate with age. There’s no way now that I’d drive on unlit, unmarked country roads at night any more, especially unfamiliar ones.

I get terrible glare night driving and find it very hard in the rain due to this. I don't care if people are taking the piss but I'm never the first in the queue, I pull over so I behind someone else. I can then drive as slow as I like and the cars up front kind of lead the way. I'm not sure why people are finding this so funny tbh.

By the way I've driven in tropical rosin overseas and most traffic pulled into the hard shoulder and waited the 20 mins or so until it eased

I wouldn't beat yourself up too much. It was very dark. It was raining. You were on country roads which are the most dangerous and they were unfamiliar. You also had people driving up your backside.

I don't like driving in heavy rain but I'm determined to keep doing it as there's only me and DH and I want to stay independent. I check unfamiliar routes before I head out, allow plenty of time and use my sat nav. On the road, I don't drive faster than I feel I can manage in the conditions. If people are pressuring me from behind, I tend to pull over and let them pass.

You can get lenses specifically for driving in the dark. Maybe look into those? I'm okay at the moment but it's definitely something I will look into at some point.

Hope you are feeling a bit better about it all this morning. x

I know this sounds crackers for the circumstances, but I find wearing night driving glasses really beneficial when driving in the dark with heavy rain.
Maybe you could try something like that?
I don't wear glasses, but maybe your optician could advise on a suitable pair.

People going 60 are risking it in that weather IMO.

I aim for 50 mph on country roads in that weather max but 40+ is fine too.

You won't be driving under these conditions all that often just ignore the overtakers and bumper grinders. Just don't panic and break too heavily.

You were fine OP. I was also driving last night and slowed right down. Not going to risk hitting a massive puddle at high speed.

Was once on the motorway in a rainstorm and visibility was so poor, I could only just see the lines straight ahead of me. Most traffic slowed to around 20mph but there were still some dickheads speeding off. It isn't safe.

Just keep doing what feels safest. Slow down, be mindful of other drivers by keeping your distance where possible and pull over if needs be.

The dazzling lights is an eye condition apparently. I have it too. Its v scary. www.healthline.com/health/astigmatism-lights

We have a 56 plate car and a 68 plate car. The difference in the headlight strength is massive. I was honestly a bit terrified driving the old car on country lanes at night after being used to driving the new car

Check for condensation onside the car... the windscreen can fog up on the inside too.

Oh, and many of the unlit country roads around here get flooded and I mean VERY flooded. So if you don't know the road and you're not careful there is a very high risk you will end up in a hedge.

You're wise to be cautious. Do what's right for you. x

Maybe night driving isn't for you.

I was severely myopic with an astigmatism and had to accept that I wasn't safe driving at night in the wet which realistically meant not driving at night at all. . There was just too much flaring of oncoming lights for me to see clearly. I eventually had corrective lens implants which give me perfect vision for most things but have the side effect of some flaring at night so still can't drive confidently at night.
Sometimes we just have to accept our limitations.

I drive in these conditions almost daily throughout the winter. I live in a rural area where street lights just aren't a thing on most roads, unless in the actual town or villages. It's hard at first, but you get used to it. Just slow down to whatever speed you feel comfortable at, and ignore cars building up behind you or over taking you. If you drive in these conditions often enough, eventually you learn to just ignore it. I drive on the same roads every day, and now can drive on them without having to slow down at all even if it's dark, raining, or foggy. I just know every bend in the road now. If it's a road that I haven't been on before or don't drive often, I will tend to slow down to make sure I'm safe.

Condensation on inside of windscreen is a good point also, make sure you have the heat on the windscreen to get rid of any condensation.

I wear glasses and am middle aged.

I too hate driving in the dark where there's no street lights on windy country roads as there are no markings & unpredictable and it's far worse in heavy downpour where visibility is poor

I drive much slower at a speed safe for the conditions and road in those circumstances.

Forget the idiots behind you, I too would have pulled over where it was safe so those wanting to kill themselves driving too fast for the conditions can get past if they are tail gaiting

It's worth remembering that as we age there are more things that can wrong with eyes and vision so do get an eye test- as opticians can spot signs on eye exam early and save your vision

You are not alone.
I am an experienced driver (wear necessary glasses & driving a new car) but this current heavy rain is especially bad at the moment.
Yesterday it was so heavy that at one point the wind screen wipers couldn't keep up with it. Very scary.

I think it’s a bit harder to drive in torrential rain but if you’re not comment to drive in all conditions you need to rethink your driving and either only drive in conditions you’re happy with or use public transport. Driving at a crawling pace is very different from driving a bit slower because of rain.

Driving in a way that is hugely different to the majority suggests you were not reacting appropriately to the conditions. Maybe a few lessons in the dark to build confidence? Sitting crying is extreme.

Because a lot of bad drivers in good conditions are bad drivers in bad conditions.

Ive been driving a long long time now and it’s getting much harder at night with bigger cars and brighter lights. Especially if you’re in a smaller car. It’s not you. It sounds like you’re doing the right stuff- it’s just unpleasant driving.