Motorway is pitch black

[Unfortunatelynot]

Why and when did the highway agency decide to turn the motorway lights off?
AIBU to think driving at 50-70mph in the dark feels treacherous?

You have headlights presumably? I don’t see the problem - and I don’t motorways have ever had lights everywhere.

The motorway near me only has lights near major junctions. That's why cars have headlights.

Very few motorways have constant lighting these days, or ever, as many aren’t equipped with lights.

It's been like that for years on the motorways I use. Cars have headlights and the lanes have cat eyes, nothing else is needed really.

I agree, I find it really disorientating especially at junctions I’m not familiar with. I’ve been driving for over 20 years and am pretty confident so I imagine some people must struggle more and potentially create dangerous situations.

The street lights are terrible for light pollution and damaging for wildlife habitats.

I don't like it either.

I agree. I find it disorientating.

If you can't drive in the dark, you shouldn't be on the roads. You are a danger to yourself and others.

I’m in Scotland and our motorways have huge stretches that don’t have lights and never have had lights. Even just coming from Glasgow to my home town, which is a half hour drive, the motorway is only lit for about half my journey. It’s never been lit the other half. And continues not lit for quite a long way after my exit.
Other motorways/dual carriageways are the same.
This is pretty normal, no?

Turn off motorway lights?? When did motorways ever have lights beyond around busy junctions?

I remember driving on motorways in the 1990s with DPs and there being those huge orange lights lighting much of the way. What happened to them?? Bad for light pollution I agree, but I’ve recently started learning to drive and hate driving in the dark, plus headlamps now are far too dazzling. It’s a nightmare.

I remember long sections of the M4 never being lit and my memory goes back to the 90s. However, what I don’t remember being such a prevalent problem was motorways being as potholed-ridden as they have been in the last 10 years. Not good when vehicles are driving at 70mph+. Therefore, I don’t think you’re unreasonable, OP and especially when I can think of many dual carriageways that are comparatively well-lit.

Across Europe it’s very much normal to not have lights.

Good - we don't need more light pollution. Today's cars have powerful headlights so not sure what the issue is as exits are well lit. The UK hasn't lit motorways in years so guess you don't drive very often at night?

Does your car not have lights??

M6 in Lancashire has been doing this for over a decade. I remember the signs.

I’ve been driving major motorways for 35 years and it’s only ever been at major junctions that there have been lights. In fact I think there are more now than early in my driving life.

The majoirty of motorways have never had lighting other than on slip roads / junctions. So you're probably just venturing away from the major conurbations, although the M4 doesn't have lighting much beyond Heathrow going to the west.

This.

I know what you mean. I recently drove an unfamiliar route in the dark, through Liverpool, through the tunnel and onto the M53. On the motorway itself it’s absolutely fine, Intersections and slip roads not so much, and it’s often not appropriate to use full beam. Yes it’s more eco and yes there’s less light pollution but it’s not easy.

Where and when did it change?

i can’t stand it, so much so I won’t drive on them. Blackness, with the occasional bout of dazzling from other headlights.

The issue is that lights are being turned off at junctions too.

This is the stretch of road I am talking about. I have 30 years plus driving experience and it was not pleasant. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/fears-grow-over-death-trap-33242126.amp