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Original poster

Blinded by the lights - night time driving

182 replies

Desperado40 · 28/02/2023 22:14

Is it me or has something happened recently - whenever I drive at night, I am literally blinded by the lights coming from the other drivers cars. I can't figure out if this is because:
A) some newer car models have brighter lights
B) drivers forget to switch the full beam when passing
C) both
Anyone else noticed this?

OP posts:
FadedRed · 28/02/2023 22:29

My Optometrist recommended yellow lenses, I bought a clip on pair to go over my ordinary glasses for £15, which helped (until DH broke them 😠).

declutteringmymind · 28/02/2023 22:30

@CyanCrystalViolet thank you. I might ask next time I'm in. I've heard mixed things about the yellow ones tho.

MrsClatterbuck · 28/02/2023 22:31

Thank goodness I no longer have a 60 mile round commute. I do drive at night one day a week on a so called A road. I meet a lot of traffic presumably coming home from work as it's usually at tea time. Hate it as it seems that some haven't dimmed their lights but as others have said it probably the LED lights.
I have the auto dimming but you can switch it off but it means I can concentrate on the road better though it dims the lights even if no traffic
due to people having bright lights on their properties.
Have been thinking of getting the orange tinted glasses which I think you can put Iver any existing glasses. My sister who livrs abroad got them years ago.

Pjmasksonrepeat · 28/02/2023 22:32

I got some yellow tinted glasses that go over my normal glasses. I look like an idiot but hopefully not many people can see into my car when it's dark (at least that's what I tell myself)

FeelinSpendy · 28/02/2023 22:32

I’ve got quite bd astigmatism and have really noticed this brightness problem recently. They often completely blind me. And most lights seem to be directed straight out rather than tilted towards the road. It’s extremely dangerous and puts me off driving in the dark. I’m only 40 - I thought I’d be fine driving in the dark until my 70’s at least!

bowchicawowwow · 28/02/2023 22:34

They are definitely brighter. My current cars headlights are so much brighter than any other car I have ever owned.

RegainingTheWill2023 · 28/02/2023 22:35

I have really noticed this recently! I've never been nervous driving but recently feel constantly dazzled by oncoming headlights. I hate it. They're not on high beam, just overwhelmingly bright. It stops me being able to see clearly.
I will get my eyes checked but as its not every car, I'm sure it's the newer, brighter lights. It's dangerous.

TheLaughOfRustyLee · 28/02/2023 22:44

I'm glad I read this - I honestly thought it was just me.
They are way to dazzling, it's dangerous. I can't see the road. I often get home safely by pure chance. Why are they allowed to make them so bright?? What's the benefit??

CyanCrystalViolet · 28/02/2023 22:45

declutteringmymind · 28/02/2023 22:30

@CyanCrystalViolet thank you. I might ask next time I'm in. I've heard mixed things about the yellow ones tho.

I’ve read that the yellow ones at best don’t work and at worst will make things harder. The antiglare coating the optometrists use is what I was talking about, would definitely recommend!

78Summer · 28/02/2023 22:46

I feel the same and sometimes stay overnight with family to avoid driving home in the dark. They are so so bright.

Feelingittchy · 28/02/2023 22:46

I'm so glad you started this thread op, I've been feeling like this recently too. I thought it was my eyes or just the fact I don't drive very often at night.

I did last week on a country road though and had to look at the white lines immediately infront rather than a usual distance because the oncoming lights were too bright. It was a large car, range rover I think but it made me feel really unsafe to be on the road.

Alwayswonderedwhy · 28/02/2023 22:48

For me it's a combination of A and wearing varifocals. I don't feel safe driving at night.

Fredoraly · 28/02/2023 22:49

I agree OP it's a nightmare. I drive a small car and I think that a lot of cars are SUVS which doesn't help. My dd has noticed it too and she's 23 with perfect eyesight.

hamstersarse · 28/02/2023 22:51

God I thought it was just me and yet another menopause symptom

Don't we need to start a petition or something? 😅

TheLaughOfRustyLee · 28/02/2023 22:51

Why should we all have to buy silly yellow glasses - why can't car owners be made to put less blinding bulbs in? There should be a max lumin and it should be made law.

kimchifix · 28/02/2023 22:51

I know it's A because we got a new car recently and the dipped headlights are still extremely bright & I've had irate people flashing me to dip because they think I have full beam on. It's bloody annoying but I don't know how to fix it. It's like these headlights were designed to shed light on the outer reaches of the galaxy. Totally unnecessary. Can't wait for summer.

Iwillhavethefullenglishplease · 28/02/2023 22:53

It's definitely A.
I have astigmatism and, from what I understand, this makes it a lot worse too. I hate driving in the dark and avoid it if at all possible.

kimchifix · 28/02/2023 22:53

As an aside I was taught to look at the kerb not straight ahead / at the middle of the road when driving towards oncoming headlights. It does save getting semi blinded.

terriblyangryattimes · 28/02/2023 22:54

I've just driven home in the dark in my husband's car which is lower than mine is and it was awful. My eyes actually feel strained from squinting for half an hour of driving. I also have astigmatism which doesn't help. Definitely going to try these yellow glasses out because I'm not even that old yet (30s) and I dread to think how bad it will be in ten years time or so!

Callipygion · 28/02/2023 22:57

Same here. This winter I’ve been planning all journeys so I’m home before 4pm because I can’t bear driving in the dark, even on roads I know. The worse ones are rural with no street lighting, so when you get oncoming cars they really blind you as you’re coming out of the dark - and you can’t focus on the left-hand kerb because it’s usually just rough grass or a ditch!

SimplySipping · 28/02/2023 23:00

I have astigmatism and I find this a real barrier. Every time I go to the optician's I ask if they can sell me a solution and I've never really found one.

Age is part of it for me I think, but also I don't drive at night very much. When I had to do it every night in winter, commuting, my eyes did get used to it a bit.

IAteAllTheTomatoes · 28/02/2023 23:10

Thought it just me!. Anti glare glasses didn't make much difference but contacts do help a lot.

CyanCrystalViolet · 28/02/2023 23:13

It's bloody annoying but I don't know how to fix it. It's like these headlights were designed to shed light on the outer reaches of the galaxy.

😂 This tickled me @kimchifix

Tomnooktoldmeto · 28/02/2023 23:17

Please ask a qualified optician to check your eyes as a number if things can cause this. I’m blinded by the lights at night like you but in my case 3 years ago out of the blue I was diagnosed with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and this can be a classic symptom

it’s normally detected in the early 50’s and requires a corneal transplant

ThePoshUns · 28/02/2023 23:18

I find night driving really uncomfortable because of this.
I had a Range Rover up my arsenal the other night and I sweat the lights from that shone further than my own lights did. It was bouncing off my rear view mirror that it made it difficult to concentrate. I pulled over in the end to let them pass.
I also think people are flashing me all the time too but I think it's just them going over bumps in the road.

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