Driving at night
Discussion
Agreed, unfortunately for some it’s part of getting older... I wear glasses for night driving now. But agree that glare seems to be worse than it was. Not sure though if it’s age or car headlights are so much brighter. I find if an SUV it coming towards on the crest of a hill it’s almost temporarily blinding.
Also agree.
I'm not old, middle aged really but driving at night definitely seems harder especially with wet roads and ever increasingly intense oncoming headlights. Though I am getting better... by that I mean for a good few months I hardly drove in the dark given the long summer days so the first time I did, it felt a big odd. I hasten to add, I drive a lot and it's now dark at 4pm so you get back into the swing of it pretty quickly. Though I do find myself being far more focused than I once was, ie there seems to be more challenges to contend with and that can be tiring. Anybody want a boiled sweet?
I'm not old, middle aged really but driving at night definitely seems harder especially with wet roads and ever increasingly intense oncoming headlights. Though I am getting better... by that I mean for a good few months I hardly drove in the dark given the long summer days so the first time I did, it felt a big odd. I hasten to add, I drive a lot and it's now dark at 4pm so you get back into the swing of it pretty quickly. Though I do find myself being far more focused than I once was, ie there seems to be more challenges to contend with and that can be tiring. Anybody want a boiled sweet?
It is the often harsh, unnecessarily intense, headlights and harsh LED streetlights.
When wet it is awful.
I'm only 42 and have no trouble with my eyes.
My auto dimming rear view mirror is almost constantly dimmed when I have cars behind me.
When wet it is awful.
I'm only 42 and have no trouble with my eyes.
My auto dimming rear view mirror is almost constantly dimmed when I have cars behind me.
Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 18th November 22:51
Wills2 said:
It's not great on unlit b roads. especially with the sheer number of raised cars (SUV style) on the roads it feels like the beams are pointing straight at your eyes, as has been said look to the inside white line and if in doubt....flat out.
It shouldn't really be like this, though. We have gone backwards.
Back in the 1960s I read an article about a proposed major improvement to headlights. A polarising filter would be fitted to headlights and windscreens would also have polarised glass, but at a 90°angle to the lights. Drivers would see everything illuminated by the lights (because the reflected light is no longer polarised) but light coming directly from the headlights would be vastly reduced.
If you want to see how this works, hold another polarised lens in front of your glasses and rotate it; when it's at 90° it's virtually black.
I assume it was too expensive unfortunately.
If you want to see how this works, hold another polarised lens in front of your glasses and rotate it; when it's at 90° it's virtually black.
I assume it was too expensive unfortunately.
46 and I find lights more dazzling for sure. I assume this is in part down to my eyes, but in part down to horrible modern headlights.
I predict this thread will include the killer "hand in your driving licence" in a page or two.
I've often wondered if the DVLA have a special dept. devoted to receiving the licences of people who are respodning to commands from others on the internet to hand their licences in; it must happen a lot!
I predict this thread will include the killer "hand in your driving licence" in a page or two.
I've often wondered if the DVLA have a special dept. devoted to receiving the licences of people who are respodning to commands from others on the internet to hand their licences in; it must happen a lot!
I'm not old, barely middle aged - but depending on what I am driving, night time travel can be really hard.
Best so far - Merc c350e with it's super duper intelligent lighting system.... it does what it says on the tin and I can actually see stuff.
2nd best - 1992 Lexus/Toyota Soarer.
Surprisingly good - 1985 Mazda 929L and the '94 LS400.
Worst ever - 1st and 2nd generation Mazda Rx7's... the lights do nothing - literally nothing, and you are low enough to be lit up by everything else even when they are on dipped beams.
The real issue I see these days are poor maintained lights, or muppets who fit bulbs upside down - gives the oncoming motorist no chance at all.
Best so far - Merc c350e with it's super duper intelligent lighting system.... it does what it says on the tin and I can actually see stuff.
2nd best - 1992 Lexus/Toyota Soarer.
Surprisingly good - 1985 Mazda 929L and the '94 LS400.
Worst ever - 1st and 2nd generation Mazda Rx7's... the lights do nothing - literally nothing, and you are low enough to be lit up by everything else even when they are on dipped beams.
The real issue I see these days are poor maintained lights, or muppets who fit bulbs upside down - gives the oncoming motorist no chance at all.
MC Bodge said:
Wills2 said:
It's not great on unlit b roads. especially with the sheer number of raised cars (SUV style) on the roads it feels like the beams are pointing straight at your eyes, as has been said look to the inside white line and if in doubt....flat out.
It shouldn't really be like this, though. We have gone backwards.
..and we've definitely gone backwards in many ways. A lot of the modern tech is I think a hindrance to driving and not necessary. My old school analogue Ford Focus highlights the failings of these moderns.... small wheels (and cheap tyres), great ride quality, -feel-some steering, responsive n/a engine. Also the lack of those annoying "driver aids".... auto lights, auto wipers, collision awareness, lane assist. You just don't need them if you're a competent and half awake driver!
jvr said:
I find more difficult as years pass,narrow roads bright headlights/laser beams coming towards you, also while looking for pot holes.
It's just hard work.
I'm sure years ago nightime was lighter!
What sort of age are people starting to find it more difficult?
P
When did you last have your eyes tested?It's just hard work.
I'm sure years ago nightime was lighter!
What sort of age are people starting to find it more difficult?
P
Not just prescription, but high intra ocular pressure can really affect your night vision.
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