Ive just started driving and Im finding it really difficult to drive at night due to other cars' lights...

Steve M

Part of your problem may be that you are seeing the lights of the vehicles behind you reflected in your rear view mirror. This can cause a lot of distraction.

However, your mirror has a little plastic thingy on the bottom of it that you can flip forward or back. If the lights are blinding you from behind (particularly on a motorway at night) flip the thing towards you or away from you (whichever) and the mirror changes to a dark mirror. All the glare disappears immediately. It's a great relief to shut off the lights from behind!

If you can't do this, ask someone to show you how it works. All cars have this on the rear view mirror.

Ahwell

Try not to look right at the lights, concentrate on the road at your side.

Sal*UK

You DO get used to it! Try and get a fixed image of the road in your mind and don't even look at the lights coming towards you - keep your attention towards the left hand kerb as they approach you. Until you feel confident, keep your speed down too. Good luck.

Where's that pesky fraggle?

I had this, my driving instructors advice was to look at the lines/ surroundings and not into the lights, you will get used to it.

Also make sure your glasses if you wear them have the anti glare coating, you will need it.

WHO am i?

dont look at the lights concentrate on the white lines.

JOANNE C

Don't look at the lights!!! If you feel yourself being dazzled look to the side of the road and keep your lane control that way. If your eyes get really bad slow down or even pull over if it is safe to do so. I get it all the time but lots of people drive badly here with their full beam lights on!!! Happy driving!!

EvelynThe ModifiedDog.

Make sure your glasses are perfectly clean, and if they're getting a bit scratched from cleaning them on your shirt, get new ones. Also keep your windscreen spotless as well, make sure the wipers are new & don't smear the screen. Some types of bad eyesight do make it difficult to focus properly in low light as well, particularly if you have 'rugby ball' shaped eyeballs. I know that sounds daft, but that's what a friend of mine said her optician told her. She prefers her contacts when she's driving. Maybe your optician can help?

creamball

Hi, i had the same problem. I used sunglasses.....well not dark ones, tinted ones. I got some cheap pink tinted and blue tinted ones from ASDA, they helped allot. Also, my new car has tinted window that helps allot....no need for sunglasses now!

Goodluck

cricketrider

lots of good advice i always avert my eyes to the right side of the road and look at the white line as the car aproaches and try to avoid staring right at the beam this kills your night vision, for just a second. so in effect we are all at the mercy of blindness for a second while driving at night and have oncoming traffic maintain a steady corse and be prepared for the worst.

detroiter1967

I had the same problem but besides the obvious by not looking directly into the light and concentrate on the lines on the rd. I've noticed that the newer vehicles have the brighter hallogen bulbs that shine brighter than other vehicles even when they have them on low beams.
Also, not sure if you wear glasses/contacts but I had to change my rx due to this reason of having difficulty driving at night. it helped plus they can put the no glare xtra in the rx as well of course by doing that the cost is a little more.
Good Luck and take care!

Ryder

dnt focus on the lights coming towards u

On the Sleigh (again!)

That is when you should slow down a little.

Be aware of where you are driving.

If a country road late at night, it's unlikely kids are going to run in front of you, but if school time in the winter in a town or city, then take extra care.

You'll get the hang of it xx

Van der Elst

takes a while to develop good night vision. try to concentrate on your own side - good luck, glad you are driving

old know all

I presume from your avatar that you wear glasses. People with glasses tend to suffer from this problem more than most. I found that wearing distance glasses with a slight brown tint helps. Have a word with your optician since your eyes are different to mine.

â‚Sun_Is_Shiningâ‚

This is partially to do with wearing contact lenses, which creates a halo around lights at night, (you can get anti-glare for the lenses and glasses) also you may be somewhat nightblind. For that, you need extra beta-carotene in your diet.

~ Floridian``

Common problem. Try night driving glasses, similar to sunglasses, buy more effective for headlight glare. Buy at an auto accessory store.

ANDY M

do you wear glasses? if so,get an anti glare pair and they will take the edge of the lights.also make sure the windows are clean as headlamps will bounce light off of dirt and will make visibility awkward,maybe even get your windscreen tinted a bit darker.it works as a kind of visor like car sunglasses! failing all that,try avoiding driving at night!

Michael M

practice paractive will go away

proc

you will get used to it. try to focus past the headlights into the dark to see what is ahead of you. if you think there is a cyclist you cant see you will focus harder. or a pedestrian thumbing a lift. (It happens. ) It does get easier honestly.

My name's MUD

this is the same for every driver, just try and train yourself to see the hazards and learn not to look directly into the lights, but look to the side of them slightly.

Keep mirrors and windscreen clean with windolene, and take it slowly at night and in the wet.

Shambles

I agree with Ahwell follow the curb by looking out of the corner of your eyes that way the lights arent shining directly into your pupils.

grey square

I do and I've been driving for years.Yellow tint lens are best. You can get the kind that slip over your regular glasses and flip up and down.
DIPPED BEAMS...that is so cute...it's low and high beams here. You guys have the cutest words.

kickindevilbutt

I was taught that instead of looking directly or well in the direction of the light for that moment to glance towards the ditch. You will still see the light but it will not be as direct.

Keep an eye on how your eyes feel at the time if they water or burn or itch or sting or anything. Also keep in mind how tired you may be at the time. Never drive if you are tired, it is better to pull over and rest than to get in accident or worse.

jockman432004

get some "night driving glasses"

bungee

you should not drive at night

Spiny Norman

Close your eyes and don't look at them.

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