To think night driving is getting more dangerous

[DazzledbyHeadlights]

Since a few years ago - and now that cyclists/pedestrians have more right of way. I agree and think it works well during the day.

However at night? Headlights seem to be more blinding than ever. Spotting a dimly lit cyclist in front of a full dazzling tank of a car is hard.

In addition, many pedestrians seem to have a cavalier ‘my right of way, I’ll step out’ attitude. I was driving along a 40mph stretch this evening and - 3 times - a dark figure suddenly appeared, stepped out onto the road and I needed to break quite abruptly.

We do seem to have some pedestrians like that round here but most are more sensible. I absolutely agree about the headlights. They are blinding and it is even worse if it is dark and raining. It is making me hate driving after dark.

I've really noticed that about headlights lately. There was something on the radio about it the other day actually.

It’s just so hard to see someone by the side of the road, about to step out. I think people assume they can be seen.

The headlights are blinding & someone in dark clothes is difficult to spot. Street lamps are duller too

Headlights are so bright these days, far too bright.

I like the very bright headlights attached to bikes, but not those on cyclist’s helmets that are just at the right height to blind you. They shouldn’t be allowed on helmets.

The headlights are awful on some vehicles now, there has been a lot in the news about it recently.

the amount of pedestrians/cyclists etc who aren’t suitably lit when out is also scary. Last night I had a near miss with an electric scooter with 3 teens all in black on with not a light in sight. It was an accident waiting to happen sadly.

I encountered someone letting their (black) dog off lead on an unlit road a few weeks ago. The owner was on the pavement!

I was going to post something similar tonight. On the way home I was like oh come on this isn't right. Can barely see!

I thought it was just me woth the headlights that look like they are on full beam but they arnt - they blind me 90% of the time. Add in they have replaced street lights with these weak white ones that don't illuminate much so street is much darker and actually doesn't feel as safe

Same! The layout of one particular rd, with a queue of traffic oncoming, meant I was literally blinded... I wonder if numbers of RTAs at night have increased in recent years?

The headlights are my main issue.

i am absolutely dazzled and blinded by them…

I saw an article in daily fail about it and was like “thank god! It’s not just me!!!”
went to the comments and was like…
”okay…it is just me and a handful of septuagenarians!” 👍
😅😅😅

Around Glasgow it's definitely more dangerous. Deliveroo/JustEat drivers on jailbroken electric mopeds, no licence, no insurance, no lights, no helmet, dressed entirely in black. On and off the pavement, in and out of traffic. Total menace.

I agree it seems like a combination of factors, very dim street lighting, cyclists in dark clothing and no lights on their bike, pedestrians again in dark clothing darting out into the road and those awful super bright headlights.

Yellow tinted glasses are a game-changer.

I was talking with DH about this the other day. The visibility at crossings in the dark is very poor especially as many people seem to walk round in dark clothing- I always crawl up to those in case someone steps out.

And don't get me started on cyclists round here( usually youngsters) riding like maniacs on electric bikes/ scooters with no lights zipping on and off pavements round blind bends in dark clothes on the wrong side of the road!

cries in astigmatism

Headlights are much brighter … there is a stretch of Motorway near us, connecting us to the nearest city, it’s unlit .. and cars on the other carriageway are blinding. I take the A roads now .. longer but safer. We have a lot of countryside as well, nighttime’s are ridiculous

I often mutter to the DC about ninja cyclists in their dark clothes, on a dark bike, without any lights swerving across the dimly lit road.

As an aside, the RAC is trying to get the government to look into the problem of dazzling headlights.

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/rac-calls-for-government-action-on-headlight-glare/

There is even a petition (that no one has seen).

Please could you tell us a little more about these? I've never heard of them before

This keeps getting raised but nothing is being done about it. A petition will go no where

When the car is coming toward you, you can see nothing else but the lights, wpuldnt have a chance of seeing anyone or anything on the road in front of me or even on the pavement

Its so dangerous

You're the one driving a machine that can kill, just drive slower

Headlights are super bright but equally seem to cast out very little light in terms of seeing edge of road no matter how you adjust them.

Just got rid of a car that had the fancier led strip type thing (displaying excellent technical skills there) so imagine it was the dazzly kind. But it was bloody rubbish unless in full beam (obviously not with oncoming traffic).

I drive rural roads. Took my husband's very basic older car and it's a joy to drive in the dark in comparison.

This

Plus, abysmal road markings and barely a "cats' eye" to be seen (unless it's on an actual cat) also doesn't help.
Percy Shaw must be turning in his grave.
I don't drive anymore at night if I can possibly avoid it.