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

I drove home late after work last night along similar roads (fields on either side). The roads were very flooded in places. I have a new car, it’s small and I wasn’t even sure it was going to make it out the other side of one particular flood! Just take your time and stay calm. Some drivers don’t adjust to the conditions, just ignore them. They don’t get anywhere any faster, you’ll catch up with them at the traffic lights/roundabout. I’m a very experienced and confident driver but I found my drive home last night stressful. Hoping the floods will clear today.

With your wipers on full, your headlights in and at a reduced bit appropriate speed, you should have been able to see.

Not necessarily. I have been caught in a downpour so heavy that the wipers couldn't cope. It wasn't even at night, though very gloomy, and many of us pulled in till it eased. Luckily that time there was room to pull over.

My big RR has got headlights set at such a height and level that at night, people think they’re in full beams and I get flashed constantly. I can’t adjust them. Nothing I can do. It’s just modern lights. They’re very effective. If someone repeatedly flashes me about it I will flash them back to show that I’m not on full beams. I do fear for their retinas though. 🫢

Some people are being overly mean. But I lived in Louisiana, where everyday at around 3pm there would be a monsoon style down pour. Until you've witnessed it you wouldn't believe it. Your entire windscreen goes black. You just have to pull over and wait. That would be my advice.

I don't have too much to add that hasn't already been said but it might help to add my voice to it.

I am a very confident driver and 20/20 vision who drives dark country lanes in all weathers and even I would find it tricky in the scenario you describe - especially this time of year when my eyes and brain have rather got used to summer driving. The first few dark, wintery trips out are always an adjustment.

As others have said: pulling over to give your brain and eyes a little break is very sensible. Pulling over to wait the worst of the weather out is also pretty sensible. Going slowly is fine and anyone driving up your arse is being a dick. Not least because the slower you go, the easier you are to overtake, if they wanted and traffic allows, so the easier you make it for them to get back to whatever speed they want to do.

I agree that pulling over is the best option but there are many many roads where that just isn’t possible eg city centre dual carriageways. (Eg London Road Nottingham for those who know). Traffic islands are a nightmare too if there are more than say two lanes as the rain obscures the lane markings (again, the QMC island in Nottingham for example). You just have to grit your teeth, pray (for me, that is serious!) and carry on.

I'm night blind,rod and cone deficiency. Very pale blue eyes,that's one of the problems,very mild short sight, have tried night vision/antiglare waste of money.
Folk on here saying you 'should be able to see". I will only drive on lit roads,or roads I know 100%. It means some planning on my part, but where there's a will!My DH is ridiculously long sighted,and he will pull off the road in these conditions.

Agree with this. I drive a mini and struggle with headlights from taller oncoming vehicles and also in my rear view mirror. LED lights are so dazzling too. If a tall car behind me goes over an uneven road surface i often think they are flashing their lights at me because the intensity change is really noticeable.

DH drives an SUV and I’ve had to remind him that he will fill the rear view of a normal heigh my car even if he’s not that close, which can feel very intimidating.

I’ve been driving for 30+ years and still remember my worst journey ever where I was absolutely terrified. Driving from Buckinghamshire to Manchester in the dark and pouring rain where I could barely see the road. I ended up pulling off at a service station and checking in to a Premier Inn for the night. Sometimes it’s not worth continuing your journey.

If I can’t see I pull over safely and wait until I can. Not always possible,I know.

Have you asked your optician specifically about your night vision. Have you astigmatisms - these can impact night vision.

I am a city dweller, so I do find nighttime on country roads or dark roads challenging. I would check out the eyes then maybe ask someone to come practice with you - might just be a confidence thing? Best of luck not a nice situation to be in.

You just drive at a speed which allows you to stop fully in the distance you can see. Yesterday when driving home that was literally 0 metres so I had to pull over and stop for a few minutes.

If you can't see, you don't drive.

OP don't be put off by posters saying you are dangerous. WTF.
I never get this driving slow causes causes accidents. No! Inpatient drivers who cant wait for more than a millisecond and lose their temper are the dangerous ones.

This is why I fucking hate driving. I'm an inexperienced driver I admit, but I will never gain confidence due to how many idiots there are out there. You can't get to grips with becoming a confident driver, when like nearly every day there is a challenge.

Last week I drove on a unfamiliar country ish road. Dark, bendy. It was 30mph
. I was going at 20mph. A bit of a build up behind me but I didn't care(well I did,but I genuinely could hardly see so had no choice to go slowly).People waiting to whizz off at every available chance.
They will get to their destination like 5 minutes early . Wow good for them.
I will never do that road in the rain. It was bad enough in dry conditions
Luckily I have food public transport by me and its less stress all round.

I honestly think some drivers just guess what's ahead. A while ago I drove in bright low sunshine. Visibility was awful. Drivers speeding and whizzing off. Either they have some super vision that means they can see in any condition or they feel they know the road ,so carry on as normal.

Another thing,is by our school is a 20mph road. Drivers up my arse and waiting to overtake when I am going at 24/25! And they think they are right!
Like I say, how can you get confident when you face this shit every day. You start doubting yourself.

I feel your pain.
A couple of weeks ago I was on the M25 in a massive downpour. Very stressful to drive in and some people were still driving at speed. I slowed right down as the wall of rain, plus spray from HGV's was a nightmare.

As others have said - slow, steady, and if you can pull over - do.

Do you have anti glare coating on your glasses as i found this made a major difference for driving at night?

Anti glare coating is an absolute game changer.

Recent Minis have some of the worst retina-searing LED headlights of any car.

I actually purchased these a few days ago as I pick up my oldest quite a bit in the evenings.
so far so good, last night we had treacherous rain in Durham and I just drove slower and made sure I was totally focused on where the kerb was on unlit roads.
I also don’t have any music etc on when driving late.

If electric, just fold them in.

My mum, sister and several friends say they suffer from bad night vision where the glare affects them really badly, could that also be you?

I also feel like I could be drawn into being dazzled by oncoming headlights but try to make sure I don’t overly focus in that direction.

Finally check the car out, I drive two cars, one far newer and more expensive than the other, and it definitely shows with the headlights.

Clean the inside of your windscreen. My night vision is shit and I hate this too and feel panicky and I have been driving (and I drive a lot) for 30+ years. You just have to slow down and ignore the drivers being twats around you. It's easy to think they know something you don't about how to drive in the dark/rain when they are bezzing past wetly but the facts are that 1.visibility is shit 2. stopping distances are much greater 3. high speed makes bad things happen more easily and if the bad things do happen the consequences are worse. So you just have to trust you are doing the right thing in slowing right down.

If there's no oncoming traffic, you put your full beam on so you can see properly and go at a safe and reasonable speed.

If others don't like your speed, they can overtake. There are some rubbish bullies on the road. Just ignore them!

They are very bright. I do not disagree.

The weather was awful last night and even as a confident driver I was unnerved . I just slow down to a speed that I can feel safe at and ignore the other drivers. You can get a product called Rainex that you can put onto your windscreen and lights , it repels the water so it makes it easier to see too.

As the oncoming car approaches you, try not to look directly at their headlights, look slightly towards the kerb on your side (left) until they pass.