Dame Jenni Murray died due to dazzling headlights

I have solved this problem with some glasses that I ordered from Amazon. They fit over my prescription glasses and have a yellow filter. I’ve worn the for night driving and daytime use as I sometimes drive on a road with low morning sun flickering on my right side on a long stretch of the A27. They work for this situation also as the have yellow filter at the side also. They were less than £10.

Always try to avoid driving at night once autumn comes as I live in rural area on very bendy roads and it's just not safe when a car with the new type headlights comes towards me from around a bend. Just as bad on a straight stretch of road when faced with taller car and higher set lights. No public transport available without a 2 mile walk from nearest bus stop on unlit country road with no footpath.

It is a big problem when like me you pive somewhere with no public transport.
I do drive at night but only short distances on very familiar roads where I feel safer. If I get dazzled I at least know the road ahead .... but not a unexpected obstruction of course.

My son in law was driving me at night one day and he is a very experienced and confident driver but even he had to stop dead when he simply cpuld not see the road ahead of him because of being dazzled.

I'm dreading the clocks changing. I will have to spend a fortune on taxis .... I am definitely not going to stay in.

I complained to my son about the blinding LED lights when I'm driving my little Fiat. He drives a van for Tesco and he told me he finds the lights just as blinding.

I am dreading the darker nights for this reason I drive a small car and feel so nervous knowing I'm going to be dazzled it really puts a stop to any evening socialising

Fallingstar

MT62

“ I don’t do public transport as it’s too expensive.
Pity I can’t get a free pass as I would definitely give up my diesel car.”

I think I read your post about this or similar. Perhaps Burnham whilst empowering more English councils can insist the age for free bus passes be set at 65 and not pensionable age which by my reckoning is now 67.
If other parts of the UK can do this then English councils should follow their example.

Yes more than likely I’ve mentioned it.
I feel it should be 65, or less. Especially when the government wants more people on public transport, rather than cars.
I feel though that they will keep shifting the goal posts to get a free bus pass.
I would even pay for a cheap annual pass.
Oh well!, I’ll just keep driving for as long as I am able if they don’t.

Oldnproud

I have occasionally been dazzled by the extremely bright LED torches that some pedestrians use when walking their dogs at the side of our dark country lanes, and also joggers, so this problem isn't just limited to oncoming vehicles.

I always cover my light when a car approaches if I’m walking at night.

I have occasionally been dazzled by the extremely bright LED torches that some pedestrians use when walking their dogs at the side of our dark country lanes, and also joggers, so this problem isn't just limited to oncoming vehicles.

For people with epilepsy or migraine these bright lights can trigger a migraine or seizures, and am not just talking about drivers here because someone who suffers seizures may not be able to drive, but am talking about passengers in the car. On television they take it seriously enough to give out a warning about flashing lights, but what can anyone do about blinding lights flashing by on the roads?

Sarnia

It likely refers to the glaring LED lights on newer vehicles.
I drive a small car so oncoming traffic with these lights are blinding and following traffic with these lights are equally as bad as they reflect off my driver's mirror.
I made the decision last Christmas not to bother with night driving any more due to these lights.
Nothing will be done as it is cheaper for car manufacturers to install LED lights.

Yes, it’s my understanding that it’s the LED lights, on normal, not full beam.

I find it very sad that so many people have given up driving at night because of the brightness of the headlights of oncoming cars, and also because the lights on the larger cars are at the eye-level of people driving smaller cars.

As a pedestrian, I am often dazzled by the fiercely brilliant lighting on some cyclists' bikes, but at least I can turn my back on the cyclist to avoid these lights, but a car driver can't do that.

Gin

The led lights on modern cars are definitely brighter than they used to be. However, the many SUV’s are much higher than other cars and their lights hit straight ant eye level it seems-and they always blind me. We drove very safely before led lights so why do all cars now have them?

Of course as someone upthread said these LED lights are cheaper so manufacturers prefer them, but surely if it becomes impossible to ignore the number of accidents caused by drivers being dazzled governments will pressure these manufacturers to use different lights.

The led lights on modern cars are definitely brighter than they used to be. However, the many SUV’s are much higher than other cars and their lights hit straight ant eye level it seems-and they always blind me. We drove very safely before led lights so why do all cars now have them?

Fallingstar

There was supposed to be an investigation made by road safety associations like the AA but not sure what became of this.
Maybe they will have to invent goggles like those we wore to look at the eclipse to wear when driving - sarcasm btw am not being serious.
Is it that drivers are not dipping their headlights or is it because even when dipped they are still like searchlights??
I don’t drive so haven’t a clue but my DH did up until 2 years ago when he suffered a stroke, but before that he had given up driving in the dark due to dazzling headlights.

They look like the lights are on full beam because of the height of the car.

I'm sorry to read that.

I hate being dazzled by headlights. it's definitely a problem for many people. I also avoid driving in that low winter sun that occurs around mid winter, I can't cope with it so I just don't drive when it's particularly dazzling.

MT62

“ I don’t do public transport as it’s too expensive.
Pity I can’t get a free pass as I would definitely give up my diesel car.”

I think I read your post about this or similar. Perhaps Burnham whilst empowering more English councils can insist the age for free bus passes be set at 65 and not pensionable age which by my reckoning is now 67.
If other parts of the UK can do this then English councils should follow their example.

Fallingstar

Is not great that countless drivers will not want to drive in the dark especially seeing as in a few short months time it will start to go dark at 3.30/4pm.
We are used to public transport now because we have no car, but it is hard in the winter months and we find ourselves getting a taxi instead.
Very unfair.

I don’t do public transport as it’s too expensive.
Pity I can’t get a free pass as I would definitely give up my diesel car.

Fallingstar

I meant very unfair for drivers giving up driving in the dark not ourselves having to take public transport.

Yes you are right. If I went to see my friend it would cost me £12, as I need to take two buses each way.
If the fares were reduced to a pound it would only cost me £4.
Shame really as the buses are always empty at that time round our way.

If they made the bus fares a pound after 6 in the winter time, I definitely would go out & about if lived on my own.
I am ok my hubby will drive at night.

I meant very unfair for drivers giving up driving in the dark not ourselves having to take public transport.

Is not great that countless drivers will not want to drive in the dark especially seeing as in a few short months time it will start to go dark at 3.30/4pm.
We are used to public transport now because we have no car, but it is hard in the winter months and we find ourselves getting a taxi instead.
Very unfair.

I have told my mum if she ever goes into hospital there is no way I could visit at night.
The high ways have taken out all the lights on our stretch of the motorway so I just can’t see to drive.
The thing is if there is an accident & there is plenty, they have to get the helicopter out to shine a light down so that the ambulance can see what the heck they are doing.
How much does that cost?
Crazy!

Greyduster

Crossed post sarnia.

Shame our evening activities are curtailed, isn't it?

Fallingstar

There was supposed to be an investigation made by road safety associations like the AA but not sure what became of this.
Maybe they will have to invent goggles like those we wore to look at the eclipse to wear when driving - sarcasm btw am not being serious.
Is it that drivers are not dipping their headlights or is it because even when dipped they are still like searchlights??
I don’t drive so haven’t a clue but my DH did up until 2 years ago when he suffered a stroke, but before that he had given up driving in the dark due to dazzling headlights.

In reply to drivers not dipping their lights, a neighbour told me that many of today's cars have automatic beams. They sense an oncoming car so the beam should dip, then when the road ahead is clear, it reverts to full beam again. I have flashed my lights at drivers to remind them to dip their headlights only to find they ARE dipped. Full beam is like a searchlight. I have given up night driving since last Christmas because of this.

Crossed post sarnia.