night driving difficulties

SUESMITH_2

i am slightly night blind - diagnosed by my optician, i'm ok in town but really don't like driving in the country where there are no street lights. i also get troubled by glare. i deffo dont have contacts etc.

my solution? i avoid unlit country roads as much as possible

Inactive

Eyesight requirements;

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/LearningToDriveOrRide/DG_4022529

EycplUK

Could i suggest that a trip to your doctors for a Diabetes test may help ?
Diabetes , of which many sufferes do not know they have , can cause problems with the eyes !
Might be worth a visit ?

wba31

Keep your windscreen clean inside and out, especially during the winter when all sorts of muck gets kicked over it, and with fans on you get stuff on the inside. Make sure your washer bottle has a good mix of washer fluid in.

Do you have your headlights set at a decent level? i had some dim bulbs on mine so kept lowering the angle so i could see the road in front of me. Maybe speak to a mechanic to see if you can get brighter bulbs (but stay within the law).

The person who mentioned the diabetes test is good too, there is a history of it in my family so i always get tested with my eye test as they do it by testing the blood pressure in my eyes or something??

There's nothing wrong with taking care at night, you mention already that you dont brake randomly, you just drive slightly slower, it's not your problem if big wig speedy behind doesnt like it... if you're on an open enough road where they can speed, they'll pass, if they decide to sit a bit too close to your bumper, pull over, let them pass, then drive on hassle free...

cyclonebri1

joyfull wrote: »

I do not brake when cars come the other way at night. why would I ???

I can easily read a car number plate at 25 yards.

I wear reading glasses and last had my eyes tested a year ago and my eyesight met the required standards for driving in the UK.

I don't appreciate being accused of 'needing a reality check before I crucify someone'.

I do appreciate those of you who shared your thoughts in a polite and respectful way, and thank you for that.

Well in that case:
"I'm unable to sometimes even see the road in front of me. At times I feel unsafe and of course driving slower inevitably attracts the tailgaters.

Must be acceptable then????

If you cannot see the road in front of you in the dark you will kill someone, a drunk or a cyclist, sooner or later. That's the reallity check. And I really do hope you can "appreciate" that.

However much you dislike my reply I felt something pointed was needed to ensure you realised the risks you are taking.


This is probably wrong but it's what I was thinking of earlier
http://www.surgerydoor.co.uk/advice/healthy-eyes/eye-conditions-and-topics/night-vision-the-facts/

LandyAndy

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

You may have cataracts.

optimus_primera wrote: »

I must admit that nightime driving in the rain can be annoying.

As Nedmundo has said, keeping your glass clean makes a lot of difference (well it does in my car!)

Cataracts were my first thought when I read the OP. I had one in my right eye that made night driving, particularly in the wet, a nightmare and, eventually, dangerous. Once I had the operation normal service was resumed.:)

Mark_Hewitt

optimus_primera wrote: »

I must admit that nightime driving in the rain can be annoying.

Yes, it's not too bad when there are good cats eyes in the road, but when they suddenly run out it's like "whoa, where's the road gone?!".

As others say, try not to look at the oncoming lights, and if necessary, slow down while they pass, but do speed up again inbetween times.

I've met quite a few people recently in the dark doing 35mph on a road which is perfectly good for 60mph (and maybe a bit more). It's fine to slow a little if you're dazzled by the lights and need to regain your bearings, but please, if you feel like you need to crawl along the entire journey, make other arrangements or drive during the day!

Inactive

Lum wrote: »

only 20 unless it's an old-style plate. New style has a smaller font so they dropped it to 20 to compensate.

The distance requirement for the eyesight test is:
20 metres for vehicles displaying the new-style number plate
20.5 metres for vehicles displaying old-style number plates.

Gene_Hunt_2

Why is everyone knocking the OP eyesight?

Derrick can't even drive on daylight.

Strider590

lol

All you folks harping on about them stopping aftermarket super bright headlights will have a big disappointment.

You'll find that most of the lights your moaning about were fitted as standard, there are comparatively very few cars about with aftermarket HID headlights. I see one maybe twice a week? the rest are standard Audi, Lexus, Merc, BMW, etc etc.