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Night Driving


See the Road, Not the Glare


Modern headlights are brighter, bluer, and harsher than ever - especially LED and HID lights. Add wet roads, digital dashboards, and tired eyes, and suddenly night driving feels stressful instead of routine. More than half of drivers (57%) who are dazzled by headlights say the problem has worsened over the past 12 months, according to new RAC research supported by The College of Optometrists.


As a result, many are driving less at night. Of those cutting back, 78% say it’s because driving has become more difficult or uncomfortable, while 45% say headlight glare makes them feel unsafe.

Oncoming car headlights can dazzle or create glare for several reasons:


1. Brightness: Modern vehicle headlights often use high-intensity discharge (HID) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which can be much brighter than traditional halogen bulbs. The increased brightness contributes to the perception of glare.


2. Headlight Design: The design of headlights, including the shape and positioning of the bulbs and reflectors, can affect how the light is projected. Some designs may result in more glare for oncoming drivers.


3. Improperly Aimed Headlights: If headlights are not properly aimed, they may shine too high or too low, causing glare for oncoming drivers.


4. Adaptive Headlight Systems: Some vehicles are equipped with adaptive headlight systems that adjust the direction and range of the headlights based on factors like vehicle speed, steering input, and elevation changes. While these systems can enhance visibility, they may also contribute to glare if not properly calibrated.


5. Dirty or Clouded Headlights: Over time, headlights can become dirty or clouded due to environmental factors, reducing their effectiveness and potentially causing glare.


6. Human Factors: Individual differences in sensitivity to light, age-related changes in vision, and certain medical conditions can affect how drivers perceive oncoming headlights.


7. Road Conditions: Wet or reflective road surfaces can amplify the glare from headlights, making it more challenging for drivers to see clearly.

So how can this problem be resolved? One potential solution is to make sure you have a good quality ‘Anti- Reflective’ Coating on your glasses.


Anti-reflective (AR) coatings on glasses are designed to reduce reflections and glare caused by lights, particularly in low-light conditions such as driving at night. Here's how anti-reflective coatings can help improve night driving:


1. Reduced Glare: AR coatings help minimise reflections from headlights, streetlights, and other light sources. This reduction in glare enhances visibility, allowing you to see more clearly and reducing the discomfort caused by bright lights.


2. Improved Contrast: By minimising reflections on the lens surface, AR coatings enhance contrast. This is particularly beneficial in low-light conditions, such as nighttime driving, where good contrast helps you distinguish objects and details more easily.


3. Enhanced Light Transmission: AR coatings increase the amount of light that passes through the lenses by reducing the amount of light that is reflected away. This can be especially helpful in low-light situations, making it easier to see objects and navigate the road.


4. Less Strain on Eyes: Glare from headlights and other light sources can cause eye strain and fatigue. By reducing glare, AR coatings can contribute to a more comfortable and less tiring driving experience, especially during extended periods of night driving.


5. Improved Aesthetics: AR coatings also have a cosmetic benefit by minimising reflections on the lens, making your glasses appear more transparent. This not only improves your vision but also enhances the appearance of your eyewear.

You can go one step further to improve night time driving vision with ‘Driving Coating’


It's important to note that while AR coatings offer several benefits for night driving, they may not completely eliminate all visual challenges associated with driving at night. Other factors, such as the overall quality of your vision, the condition of your eyes, and the presence of other vision correction features in your glasses, also play a role in how well you can see in low-light conditions.


No prizes for guessing what these lenses are used for. Our Driving Coating features an enhanced anti-reflective coating, specially designed to cut out headlight glare. The coating has a more distinct colour, which absorbs 10% of light, enhancing colour and depth perception.


Although called ‘Driving Coating’, they are suitable for everyday wear, and have similar properties to an anti-reflective lens. The very slight colour is usually only noticeable against more pale skin tones and the colour you will see when you tilt the lens is bronze. The feedback we have gotten in the past is that this is the only drawback, but it is part of what makes the lenses so effective for driving.


Whether you are behind the wheel for hours each day, commute to work, or only on the odd occasion, you can benefit from our drive lenses and be confident that the lenses will perform well regardless of the light condition.

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