more mature drivers giving up night driving?

www.iamroadsmart.com/courses-services/for-individuals/mature-driver-review/

DH was recently offered this review, FREE with no strings attached. (Special promotion by IAMs, at a presentation in local garden centre).

He took it up and said it was really worthwhile.

The IAMs person made a one hour appointment at mutally agreed time, to sit in passenger seat while DH drove our car .

He (not dh) is a retired police pursuit driver and is now a Driving Test Examiner, and directed DH round some of the local Test routes.

I thought there might be some sales pressure to join IAMs but there wasn't; just some really useful commentary and advice for older drivers.

DH (79) passed Review with "excellent".

I’ve noticed my driving was ok but I felt a little more careful with driving at night. Mainly because I’ve drove in daylight most of the year. If I go out at night my hubby usually drives but I think I must try harder! Use it or lose it!

David49

My son and his wife both cycle to work and I really worry about drivers not seeing them.

It is essential the wear reflective strips and high visibility clothing so they can be seen

When I cycled to work I was bedecked with lights like a Christmas tree. Fluorescent strips on my helmet, fluorescent Sam Brown belt (this was 40 years ago, before fluorescent gilets), full lights, flashing lights back and forward and reflectors on my wheels so that i was visible sideways.

Whatever might happen to me, no one was going to be able to use the excuse that they did not see me.

Luckygirl3

*Most accidents occur on roads familiar to road users.* - I expect that is because they use those roads most.

My optician BIL says that the yellow night driving glasses are a danger - like wearing sunglasses in the dark. They reduce the glare from the oncoming headlights, but also reduce how much you can see in an already dark environment.

That’s interesting and I’ll definitely talk to my optician about the yellow glasses - but I feel I can see better with them. If you are dazzled by bright lights, then how much you can see in the dark parts of your vision field is really neither here nor there.

David49

My son and his wife both cycle to work and I really worry about drivers not seeing them.

It is essential the wear reflective strips and high visibility clothing so they can be seen

Of course they wear things like that! But if drivers passing them are being blinded by oncoming lights it isn’t going to help much is it if drivers around them are being blinded by oncoming lights ( and also lights in their rear view mirror).

Luckygirl3

*Most accidents occur on roads familiar to road users.* - I expect that is because they use those roads most.

My optician BIL says that the yellow night driving glasses are a danger - like wearing sunglasses in the dark. They reduce the glare from the oncoming headlights, but also reduce how much you can see in an already dark environment.

I second that. I bought some because they sounded like a good idea but soon realised what a bad effect they had on my vision. Would certainly not risk using them!

My son and his wife both cycle to work and I really worry about drivers not seeing them.

It is essential the wear reflective strips and high visibility clothing so they can be seen

Most accidents occur on roads familiar to road users. - I expect that is because they use those roads most.

My optician BIL says that the yellow night driving glasses are a danger - like wearing sunglasses in the dark. They reduce the glare from the oncoming headlights, but also reduce how much you can see in an already dark environment.

www.healthspan.co.uk/retinex-max-containing-lutein/

This is the one I take.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

David49

If you do have problems with bright lights make sure you have a up to date eye test, cataracts and macular degeneration can be treated if you catch it early.

The pupils on old eyes react more slowly to light so it’s going to affect all of us, when I get dazzled driving I look down at the kerb and concentrate on that

I find that having an even slightly damp windscreen makes it much worse, too, so I keep my wipers on as much as possible.It’s all very well all of us finding ways to mitigate the problem but, at the end of the day we shouldn’t have to be doing so when people’s safety is at stake. My son and his wife both cycle to work and I really worry about drivers not seeing them.

MayBee70

Maccushield Gold has a lot of other vitamins added that aren’t really necessary for improved vision ( they’re also quite expensive). In the Michael Mosley programme it said the important thing was the meso zeathanthin (sp) which is in Maccushield and Macusave.

Thank you, that’s very helpful

If you do have problems with bright lights make sure you have a up to date eye test, cataracts and macular degeneration can be treated if you catch it early.

The pupils on old eyes react more slowly to light so it’s going to affect all of us, when I get dazzled driving I look down at the kerb and concentrate on that

I turn 62 in January, & I’m already noticing changes in myself when I’m driving. I used to absolutely love it, & used to drive quite willingly, longish distances, motorways were no problem. Now, with increased traffic, everything is more challenging. I’ve a pair of glasses that are supposed to cut out glare from headlights at night, & they do help, but it’s still a nerve wracking experience to drive at night - bad road surfaces don’t help - & I really try to avoid it if I can, very unlike how I used a be.

4allweknow

Astitchintime I agree with your post. Most accidents occur on roads familiar to road users. Wonder why that is, nothing to do with complacency. As for all the oversized cars with bright lights why not look slightly to the side? It's amazing the brightness diminishes. What about cyclists with head torches/lights. That will really confuse some as only one high bright light!

Excuse me but isn’t it a good idea to look straight ahead when driving ( except when approaching a road island etc). Or am I missing something here…

The problem with dazzle from new bright lights is not limited to older drivers. Many drives of all ages hate them and the government is considering legislation.

Astitchintime I agree with your post. Most accidents occur on roads familiar to road users. Wonder why that is, nothing to do with complacency. As for all the oversized cars with bright lights why not look slightly to the side? It's amazing the brightness diminishes. What about cyclists with head torches/lights. That will really confuse some as only one high bright light!

Thanks yogitree

foxie48

The problem with organising day time events is it restricts the same range of people who are free to go. Many of my groups are mixed age, with most still working. I'm continuing to drive at night but I do find the glare from headlights is much worse these day. I wonder if it's possible to buy anti glare glasses. Anyone know?

My optician said they are useless.

I bought anti glare glasses and find them very useful. I think they were on TikTok but I've seen them on Facebook too. They go over the top of your own glasses.

It's called personal responsibility. Unfortunately the way things have gone the Government no longer trust us to manage our own health and abilities. If you mentioned to an optician or doctor that you struggle at night there is a chance that they would contact the DVLA and before you know it they'll have your licence off you. I admire people that are aware of their driving limits and avoid situations that may test them. e.g. driving long distances, night driving, heavy traffic. Well done!

Tenko

I’m 67 and have good eyesight and find the LED headlights blinding . But I will carry on driving as long as I can , both in the day and night, on familiar and unfamiliar roads , on motorways and country lanes . Limiting where and when you drive means you lose confidence in driving . I have several friends my age who won’t drive at night or on motorways, their husbands drive . The worrying thing is if something happens to their dh , they’re snookered .

I see your point but considering your own and others safety has to come into a decision about night driving. Just carrying on regardless seems foolhardy to me.

A friend has moved to be nearer her daughter. She's bought a house she loves but she's totally dependent on being able to drive. She's had no experience of driving at night on unlit country roads and is finding it very stressful. We're thinking about moving in the near future and access to good public transport will be high on the list although currently we both drive regularly at night.

My eyesight improved dramatically after having cataracts removed so although I don't do a lot of driving at night I am confident to do so after several years of avoiding it.

We’re 10 miles from a train station too! Not everyone has access to public transport like you!

keepingquiet

Etoile2701

keepingquiet

Can't people get buses anymore? I think I must live in another country because I love going out at night, whether it is driving locally or using buses and trains to get to town or the nearest city.
I get very frustrated with some friends who won't go out after dark and some of them don't even have cars?

I don't get it at all. I refuse to become a prisoner in my own home!

I like being at home. What is wrong with choosing not to go out after dark and not owning a car?

Nothing if that's your choice but people do seem to be complaining on this thread.

I have been quite shocked reading how poor public transport is in some places.

Public transport? What’s that?! We have 3 buses a day, none on Sundays or after 3pm.
I’m certainly not a prisoner in my own home keepingquiet, I just feel unsafe driving in the dark and don’t wish to have an accident 🤷🏼‍♀️