Page 5 | Blinded by the lights - night time driving

Desperado40 · 2023-02-28T22:14:03+00:00

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?

Tricyrtis2022 · 01/03/2023 08:30

Not just us, then! My OH can manage driving at night but I can't do it any more. Will try the yellow glasses though.

We got a new car in 2021 and noticed that we were getting flashed at night, as if the full beam was on. Checked the headlight settings and they were set too high, so turned them down and we stopped being flashed at. I wonder if new cars have their headlights set at too high a level?

WhineWhineWINE · 01/03/2023 08:32

Not sure how old you are, but I've been noticing more glare at night and have been struggling a bit. Apparently I'm developing cataracts, so that cheered me up no end. I'm 52 ☹️

Mumteedum · 01/03/2023 08:34

McT123 · 01/03/2023 08:17

Most cars have a way to adjust the lights according to how heavy the load in the car is. For older cars it is usually a little wheel, usually beside the steering wheel column; for more modern cars it is more likely to be electronic and may be automatic.

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I changed to a 20 plate car from an 08 last year. Old one had a wheel. New one doesn't have anything. It's just set.

I think the design of many cars doesn't help. SUV for sure and the bluddy monster truck wanna be pickup trucks which seem unfathomably popular in an urban area. But some of the smaller cars also have lights sat high up .. one of the minis does and they're awful. Plus going over speed bumps or hills, it's like being flashed.

Though I have to confess, I had accidentally put my fog lights in in new car without realising. New cars are great for doing things for you, but it does make us less aware I think, or at least we make assumptions.

WeCome1 · 01/03/2023 08:39

McT123 · 01/03/2023 08:17

Most cars have a way to adjust the lights according to how heavy the load in the car is. For older cars it is usually a little wheel, usually beside the steering wheel column; for more modern cars it is more likely to be electronic and may be automatic.

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Yeah, that comment was regarding brightness though. I may have misunderstood though.

Sausagis · 01/03/2023 08:40

"Yeah, that comment was regarding brightness though. I may have misunderstood though."

If headlights are adjusted too high they will appear bright.

Beneficialchampion2 · 01/03/2023 08:41

McT123 · 01/03/2023 08:17

Most cars have a way to adjust the lights according to how heavy the load in the car is. For older cars it is usually a little wheel, usually beside the steering wheel column; for more modern cars it is more likely to be electronic and may be automatic.

Show quote history

Factory fitted LED headlights are self adjusting and have to be by law to suit the load of the vehicle. No adjustment.

Retrofit is another matter however, most retrofit LED lights are likely to be illegal if non-levelling.

My latest car has VW IQ light, you can drive with full beam on constantly and the headlights are split into segments which go out to stop the incoming driver from being blinded whilst maintaing full visibility. I've had no issues of folk flashing me yet and I do a lot of night time driving. So I'm hoping it works...

JustKeepGoingThere · 01/03/2023 08:43

When I got my new car with xenon lights (whatever they are!). I got loads of flashes from other cars who must have thought I had full beam on when I definitely didn't - after a while it stopped as I assume the initial brightness got less.

I drove a lot at night in the countryside and the lights are amazing for me as the driver but obviously over right for other drivers.

Beneficialchampion2 · 01/03/2023 08:43

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 01/03/2023 08:24

Oh and has anyone noticed recently cars not having rear lights on. I flash them t switch lights on then you realise their headlights are on but nothing at the back. Is it a new car thing?

More than likely the car has daytime running lights and the driver has forgotten to turn the main lights on.

justasking111 · 01/03/2023 08:46

Feetupteashot · 28/02/2023 22:21

A and
Have you got older or even, cataracts?

Had my glaucoma op last year they did cataract operation at the same time. The headlights don't bother me now

NewUserName2023 · 01/03/2023 08:49

I'd been complaining about car headlights for the last 3 months and following a recent eye test they found the start of cataracts which can accentuate the headlight glare in dark conditions. Do get your eyes checked out.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 01/03/2023 08:49

Beneficialchampion2 · 01/03/2023 08:43

More than likely the car has daytime running lights and the driver has forgotten to turn the main lights on.

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Yes. This is a massive pet hate of mine. Especially on unlit dual carriageways.

Rummikub · 01/03/2023 08:51

Too bright lights on suvs driving too close to my fiesta. I have an 80 mile round trip commute and it’s awful.

These drivers could be a lot more considerate.

There really should be a limit on brightness. In Halfords I noticed they were selling ‘extra bright’ bulbs ffs!

Posters that are saying they don’t know how to adjust- can you find out? It would help others.

journeyofinsanity · 01/03/2023 08:55

VoteTurnipGetTurnip · 28/02/2023 22:20

I think it's led lights plus drivers not knowing how to adjust the tilt.

Plus as you get older your can't deal with direct light so well.

Apparently glasses with a yellow tint can help with the latter. A couple of my friends have them and they say it makes a difference.

Doesn't the tilt get adjusted/corrected if needed every year when getting serviced? I've never adjusted the tilt. I wouldn't have a clue how to do it. I leave it to the mechanics. No?

McT123 · 01/03/2023 08:56

Beneficialchampion2 · 01/03/2023 08:41

Factory fitted LED headlights are self adjusting and have to be by law to suit the load of the vehicle. No adjustment.

Retrofit is another matter however, most retrofit LED lights are likely to be illegal if non-levelling.

My latest car has VW IQ light, you can drive with full beam on constantly and the headlights are split into segments which go out to stop the incoming driver from being blinded whilst maintaing full visibility. I've had no issues of folk flashing me yet and I do a lot of night time driving. So I'm hoping it works...

Show quote history

I didn't know the auto-adjustment was by law, Thanks.

I had to turn off the automatic dipping on my new car as it wasn't working for cyclists and pedestrians.

FrizzledFrazzle · 01/03/2023 09:13

Definitely A and also if your headlights are less bright than those of an oncoming car, you will see their lights and dip yours before they see you. Because your lights are dipped, they then won't see you for even longer, while you are dazzled by their full beam. This is definitely an issue on windy country roads, less so on a big straight highway.

1990s · 01/03/2023 09:38

Trez1510 · 01/03/2023 02:07

I'm 'fortunate' in that I have light sensitivity as a major migraine trigger.

I say fortunate because many years ago I invested in some Theraspecs which use the FL-41 tint. The indoor version of these eliminate all the blue light from LED lights.

Prior to getting these, I would be literally crying by the time I got home from work on a dark night - between the brake lights in front in traffic jams, the lights from SUVs in my rear view mirror and any oncoming vehicle with LEDs.

If you can afford them, Theraspecs (indoor version) are the answer. When I bought mine, more than a decade ago, I had to get them from the US. I think some outlets do them in the UK now.

My optician had never heard of FL-41, nor had his laboratory colleagues. He remembers me year on year as Mrs FL-41!!

Thank you so much for this! I think you’ve solved something I’ve been looking for for months!

1990s · 01/03/2023 09:43

Does anyone know if being dazzled by these lights as well as being dangerous as you can’t see might affect eyesight long term?

OopsAnotherOne · 01/03/2023 09:45

Yep OP, I think it's A. I'm in my mid-twenties, have "perfect" vision according to my optician but I really struggle now with night driving, especially on unfamiliar routes. If a car is coming the other way with bright light, I find it essentially "cancels out" my lights which aren't as bright, so until they've gone past me I can't see my side of the road. I avoid driving at night if I can help it as a result. All of my friends have agreed that they also struggle with this.

silverbubbles · 01/03/2023 09:50

I think A - I have a new car and keep getting flashed at when the lights are on auto dim. I can see that the dim when another vehicle approaches ut I don't think they dim that much...

Also, how old are you? As I have got older (upwards of 40 - 50)I have definitely found driving at night harder due feeling dazzled all the time

Fredoraly · 01/03/2023 10:12

The best way to solve this is to go to Halfords and buy the revolting super bright headlight bulbs yourself. Sadly they make a big difference.

familyissues12345 · 01/03/2023 10:17

They are hideous, definitely brighter. I drove back from seeing DS at Uni recently, fast busy very windey road and I was heading the opposite way to most. I just felt terrified, so dazzled I couldn't make out my side of the road.

Ended up having to pull over to compose myself!

SlightlyJaded · 01/03/2023 10:58

I thought Telegraph was behind a paywall, but I could see this article on headlight brightness.

www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/advice/how-drive-safe-bright-car-headlights-night-2022/

TrickorTreacle · 01/03/2023 15:55

Very useful thread, so thanks for posting it @Desperado40

I wasn't sure if it was just me (getting older) or if it really is a thing with cars now. I'm posting here as a non-driver when walking on the pavements after dark. It's so blinding that I have to stop walking in case I bump into someone / a cyclist, or trip on a kerb. It's only in the last year it's been this bad. Ignoring covid itself (when there weren't many cars on the road), it certainly wasn't like this pre-covid!

whynotwhatknot · 02/03/2023 00:23

the lights are ridiculous especially the led ones on bigger cars litgterally blinds me for a second dont know how its legal

ComeTheFckOnBridget · 02/03/2023 00:31

A few years ago, a taxi driver tried to get the increasingly bright halogen lights banned for this reason but didn't get anywhere because those who can afford them, like them.

I think its also that a lot of the newer cars tend to have the lights positioned higher, just by virtue of the cars being bigger than older models.

But do get your eyes checked by an optician - astigmatism can make it much it worse.

Don't forget - highway code advice is to slow down or even stop when blinded by oncoming headlights.