night time driving

[noscralc]

Is it just me or is night time driving getting increasingly unpleasant due to super bright headlights on modern cars especially 4 x 4's that constantly blind you with not just their intense brightness but to me bad alignment or am I being an old fart !

[360beast]

You are right, it is horrible and everyone is very important and in a rush so just the quality of driving alone is terrifying enough.

[noscralc]

I cannot understand why everybody seems to be such in a big hurry and has to get in front of you no matter if you catch them up at the next junction or traffic lights-madness. The standard of driving is very often shocking-to say the least.

[bgarston]

Originally Posted by noscralc

I cannot understand why everybody seems to be such in a big hurry and has to get in front of you no matter if you catch them up at the next junction or traffic lights-madness. The standard of driving is very often shocking-to say the least.

Agreed - I'm not sure what it is its like when they see V O L V O on the rear of the car or an estate car they think I am going slow - in fact I am usually doing the speed limit, following the flow of the traffic albeit allowing a breaking space so I am not up the ar*e of the car in front - this is something else (leaving a breaking space) that appears to be a mystery to most others on the road these days. I have also noticed an increase in the number of people that think that if they indicate to change lanes on a motorway that makes it ok and gives them the god given right for them to cut others (me) up irrespective of what else is going on at the time.

I very much agree that the standard of driving has slipped and is "very often shocking-to say the least". This could have a lot of to with the increased reliance of ANPR/traffic/speed cameras and the lack of actual proper old fashioned policing - I think <tongue in cheek>Driving licenses are given away with packets of corn flakes</tongue in cheek> and at the risk of sounding like my dad (!) once someone has one it must be very hard indeed to loose your license once you have it.

Ben

[john.wigley]

Interesting point regarding driving licences, Ben. I passed my test in 1966 and my IAM in 1978, but could I pass today's test? I'd certainly need to practice driving to a satnav!

I have very recently applied to renew my license (coming up to 70); the first time since 1981. What did surprise me was that, while I didn't need to mention my heart attack, I was required to state if I had a drug or alcohol dependency. Can you see many admitting to such a dependency, assuming they had one, if they wished to retain their right to drive? The increasing number of cases of driving while under the influence of drugs that I read about suggests some may not have been totally honest in their application.

Regards, John.

[DaveNP]

Having had two children pass their test relatively recently, and a third still trying, I don't think that licences are given away for for packet tops. The old adage still remains, 'you've got your licence, now you need to learn to drive', unfortunately in this day and age driving is seen as a basic part of life rather than the skill and aspiration that it used to be, so many get their licence and seem to stop learning now.
In terms of an experienced (I never said older) driver passing the current test I would have to say the most difficult part would be the computerised hazard perception test, to me it verges on 'not fit for purpose'. Basically it is a series of video clips and one is required to click on the mouse when a hazard appears. We had a computer programme for my daughter to learn with, as an experienced driver I found myself seeing many potential hazards that didn't develop and seeing even the planted hazards too early, so I failed for clicking at the wrong time and too often. I was recently reminded of a book called 'Blink' which considers how when we are experienced in a field we can often know something instantly before we've had time to think about it, when driving I often find myself glancing at another road user and instantaneously knowing what they are likely to do, that only comes from years of experience not a computer simulation.

On the night driving topic, I now have the new glasses, just haven't been out at night yet to try them

[60041]

No, you are absolutely right; night driving is becoming extremely unpleasant.
I used to blame the brightness of modern lights, but now realise it is the aim that is the issue; I frequently drive a Mercedes Sprinter van and the increased height of the driving position makes things much easier and more pleasant, whereas driving along the same roads in my V90 can be very difficult.
Modern lights have a very sharp cutoff, which seems to be just below the normal eye level when driving towards them, so slight dips and rises in the road cause them to lift up and blind oncoming drivers. No doubt it is not helped by the poor maintenance of cars these days; misaligned and faulty lights are very common.
And don’t get me started on the use of spot lights in good weather.....!

[DaveNP]

It's not just you, I drive nights for a living and the number of vehicles with poorly aimed headlights is appalling (even from the higher view point of a truck). One possibility occurs to me which is that modern headlights seem to have plain lenses and use the reflector to make the beam pattern, if the bulb is not fitted correctly or is a cheapo replacement which isn't quite as accurately made the beam pattern soon goes awry.

I have just been to the opticians for a checkup and ended up ordering new glasses, the new ones will have a new type of lens which blocks blue/UV light which is supposed to be helpful when driving at night with so many people having new style headlights, I'll have to wait to see if they do work.

[60041]

Originally Posted by DaveNP

I have just been to the opticians for a checkup and ended up ordering new glasses, the new ones will have a new type of lens which blocks blue/UV light which is supposed to be helpful when driving at night with so many people having new style headlights, I'll have to wait to see if they do work.

I will be due a check up and possibly new glasses in the new year, I would be very interested to hear if you find your new lenses helpful.

[andy_d]

the "blue light" from LEDs is well known to cause "glare" ,ask any optician,
add in as said the Crap to non existence of maintenance , badly aligned headlights
Moronic driving, and worse of the lot moronic drivers shoving LED lamps or HiD into the WRONG sort of light unit,, "SUV" driven by "self entitled arseclowns" with the lights height And badly aligned at that,,

its Not just you,