Anyone else blinded by these new headlights when driving?

[Totallybannanas]

Am I the only one struggling with how bright car headlights have become? I’ve been avoiding driving at night for a while now because of it, but I don’t remember them being this intense in the past. Every car I pass feels like it’s on full beams, and I end up feeling completely blinded. I know my astigmatism makes it worse, but I recently had an eye test and wear corrective glasses. Tonight, I had to make a journey I couldn’t avoid, and I found myself driving at 40mph in a 60mph zone because the car behind me was tailgating and their lights were so dazzling. I eventually pulled over to let them pass. Does anyone else deal with this?

I completely agree Op, it’s really hard to see where you are going as the lights coming the other way are so bright!!

I don’t drive in the dark any longer. I just can’t see properly when oncoming cars have really bright lights.

I also have astigmatism and I am finding it increasingly difficult to drive at night, with people's glaring lights coupled with fact people drive like total bellends behind you

Yes it's horrendous. Ditto intermittent flashing led bike lights.

I wondered if it was down to new street lighting that doesn't light up as well, so we've become more sensitive. Yes car lights are brighter, but I don't think that's the whole problem.

Yes you are right. It's worse wearing glasses rather than contacts. The optician told me it's because car manufacturers set the lights really brightly. They could be turned down to be a bit dimmer.
She said some people find wearing glasses with a yellow tint help some people

Yes I drove at night a few days ago and it was so bad it felt most were driving on high beam .

Yep, I think a lot aren't adjusted correctly as well because people don't look at the manual/online info and just get in and drive
If a car doesn't have an MOT as it's new that could be 3 years of driving round with them dazzling people!

Yes I agree. Did you know there’s a little switch on your rear view mirror though that dims all the lights behind you when you look it it? Every car has it, usually just underneath. I have to have that on all the time now when driving in the dark.

Yes me too!
I thought it was my eyes getting older but some lights feel like full beam and they dazzle in the rear view mirrors.

Yes, I am also find long street lighting poor. And if it rains , the roads just seem to reflect the light it's impossible to see road markings.

We used to, but we’ve just upgraded the car and it’s miles better now.

Absolutely agree and unfortunately I can't avoid some night driving as I need to pick DD up from work. I also have astigmatism and have tried yellow lenses but it didn't really help at all. We live rurally, and the roads are often unlit and pitch black with no road markings so it's horrendous trying to navigate those with someone driving behind you or towards you with blazing white lights. DH has a brand new 4x4 (commercial for work) and the lights are blistering bright white. Great for him driving, not so much for everyone else!!!

There is a petition somewhere to try to change back to the older lights, as many people have this issue with the new LED lights. Far too bright.

There is a petition somewhere about this, I'm sure saw it on MN, I think it's backed by the RAC

I hate these bright lights. Wearing specs doesn't help.

I'm sure I've recently signed an online poll against these headlights.

They are dreadful! Especially when they're behind you.

I struggle with the lights too. They are so bright!! It's ridiculous but it also makes me really anxious to drive in the dark.

Yes it’s awful I was beginning to think it was just me getting old and grumpy (I’m 46)

The blue and cold white ones are the worst
Yellow are less painful (the French got it right all those years ago)

The street lighting doesn't really make much difference. I work in a rural community with next to no street lights particularly between villages etc. it's the headlights that are the problem for sure

I drive a mini and when there's a newer suv behind me I'm blinded by the lights reflecting in my mirror, I assume because of the size difference in the cars. I absolutely hate it and have thought I was going to crash before now because of it

I think part of the problem is the number of SUV's, their lights are often at drivers eye level if driving a standard car. They could easily adjust them to point downwards but sometimes it seems that the competence of a driver is inversely proportional to the size of the car 😂

I struggle with this too so relieved I am not the only one