Reasons you can’t see while you drive at night

Driving at night can be riskier than driving during the day, due to increased road hazards and eye conditions that can affect your ability to see in darker settings. These factors impact drivers all around the world. Have you ever wondered, "Why can't I see as well when I drive at night ?" or "Should I wear special glasses to drive at night?" While the answers may vary depending on individual cases, this guide will help you understand some particular reasons you have trouble seeing you drive at night, and what to do to fix the problem.

 

Vision-related risks of night driving

Having trouble seeing at night is common everywhere in the world. Out of 34 million drivers in the United Kingdom,17 million struggle to see at night, and the accident fatality rate is reportedly three times greater at night than during the day.

One study found that more than 60% of vehicle accidents happen at night time in India, due to factors such as driver's visual fatigue and performance, as well as poor visibility in general.

In South Korea, the fatality rate of accidents that take place at night is 53.38%. The statistics are affected by the reduced quality of visibility that drivers experience during darker hours of the day.

 

Streaky or blurred lights (Astigmatism)

Astigmatism means your eye is typically shaped more like a rugby ball than a football, which alters the way light is focused. In fact, the light is focused in more than one place which can cause blurriness.

When it comes to driving at night, astigmatism can also have an impact on how you see lights such as car headlights and streetlamps. You’re likely to experience increased glare, halos or streaks around the lights, which can be difficult and will likely force you to squint in order to focus better. This can be worse at night when there are more lights coming from your dashboard and other drivers.

Wearing the right lenses can help to mitigate the effects of this, as the lens can help to focus the light correctly on to the retina. A routine eye examination can determine whether you have astigmatism, and your optician can dispense corrective lenses to compensate for your eye’s irregular shape. Unfortunately, astigmatism will not cure itself and it’s likely you’ll need to wear glasses for astigmatism to correct it.

 

Night blindness (nyctalopia)

Night blindness, or nyctalopia, refers to poor vision that occurs in dim light or darkness. Like presbyopia and myopia, night blindness can pose a dangerous threat to driving at night because it limits the visual capabilities of an affected driver.

This disorder can be caused by cataracts, glaucoma, myopia and other vision conditions. In some cases, glasses can treat night blindness, but treatment ultimately depends on the underlying cause. 

Driving in darker conditions can be challenging to begin with, and night blindness can make it truly dangerous. If you're experiencing symptoms of nyctalopia (halos or glares around lights, trouble seeing distant objects, blurry vision, light sensitivity, etc.), consult your optician.

 

Safety tips for driving at night

Vehicle and personal safety measures should be taken every time you get behind the wheel — but especially when you drive at night. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 23% of all injury crashes and 37% of all fatal crashes in the United States in 2016 occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

 

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) created the Golden Rules for Road Safety as guidelines for drivers to keep themselves and other road users safer in transit. To start: Check your vision regularly, protect your eyes from glare and always wear your glasses on the road. The FIA also advises that motorists:

 

• Always pay attention
• Obey the speed limit
• Buckle up
• Use a child safety seat
• Check their tyres
• Don't text and drive 
• Stay bright in reflective gear
• Wear a helmet
• Stop when they're tired
• Watch out for pedestrians, especially kids
• Slow down for kids
• Never drink and drive

 

Improve your vision at night for driving

How can you improve your vision at night? In addition to the tips above, your vision must be as clear as possible.

Many vision problems that weaken your eyesight while you drive at night can be treated with corrective glasses or contacts. Your vision changes as you age, so regular eye exams are essential. You may need to update your prescription to drive more safely and efficiently at night. 

If you suspect you have an eyesight issue directly affecting your ability to drive at night, consult your optician as soon as you can.