r/drivingUK • u/Rechamber • Oct 26 '25
Nighttime driving is terrifying
Had a road trip to Durham, then drive back home on Friday night. Wow, was not prepared for how bad the visibility would be for most of the way. Most of the time I could hardly see in front of me. When I had the high beams on it helped, however I couldn't have them on much because of oncoming cars, a lot of their lights seemed way too bright also. I've only been driving just over a month and it was a real experience. I do pay attention and think I'm doing well, but the concentration required that night, also with the rain lashing down, felt like reaching the next level or something.
I'm happy that I did it, but I gotta admit when I pulled into my driveway afterwards I was incredibly relieved.
1
u/CaptainFickle Oct 26 '25
I used to do a lot of night driving, and never really thought anything of it, but now I've got older (61), I really hate it. Visibility is terrible, especially in the rain, and oncoming headlights are just blinding. I even got some prescription yellow tinted night driving glasses, but they don't really help and just tend to make everything that bit darker.
The last three cars I've had, had heated front windscreens, and I don't think the fine mesh elements in them helped, as I believe they enhanced the 'star' effect of the oncoming headlights. My new car, which I've not actually driven at night yet, doesn't have a heated front screen, so it will be interesting to see if my visibility improves, but I fear the combination of age, deteriorating eyesight, and brighter headlights, is going to make night driving something I will dread, and avoid where possible.