Driving your motorhome at night

[Tony50]

Yes my optician said that. Make everything clean including of course your glasses so that the light doesn't get scattered which causes the issue. He also said floaters have the same effect but nothing can be done about that.

The main thing is starting with a good Optician, tried the 2 big suppliers glasses were fair for use but fell to bits and after adding all extras no cheaper than any where else plus we like make Silhouette, we have both just had our eyes tested but a Specialist in Woodbridge Suffolk who does work for NHS, for eye problems, he tested out eyes and said " don't think I can improve eyesight on both of you much,sight deterioration,but you might as well wait for another year unless your sight gets worse" .Now he could have sold us both another pair at around £450 a pair, to us trust is also important.

 

[Mleabon]

The main thing is starting with a good Optician, tried the 2 big suppliers glasses were fair for use but fell to bits and after adding all extras no cheaper than any where else plus we like make Silhouette, we have both just had our eyes tested but a Specialist in Woodbridge Suffolk who does work for NHS, for eye problems, he tested out eyes and said " don't think I can improve eyesight on both of you much,sight deterioration,but you might as well wait for another year unless your sight gets worse" .Now he could have sold us both another pair at around £450 a pair, to us trust is also important.

Yes I use a good optician mainly because he knows about maccular degeneration that my father has. He now has to have eye injections every few months.

 

[The Wino]

Yes I use a good optician mainly because he knows about maccular degeneration that my father has. He now has to have eye injections every few months.

Have you looked at the information on the macular society webpage and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk a bit?

 

[The Wino]

The main thing is starting with a good Optician, tried the 2 big suppliers glasses were fair for use but fell to bits and after adding all extras no cheaper than any where else plus we like make Silhouette, we have both just had our eyes tested but a Specialist in Woodbridge Suffolk who does work for NHS, for eye problems, he tested out eyes and said " don't think I can improve eyesight on both of you much,sight deterioration,but you might as well wait for another year unless your sight gets worse" .Now he could have sold us both another pair at around £450 a pair, to us trust is also important.

Always good if someone isn't trying to push stuff.

 

[stuartholmes]

Funny, I thought that earlier and U tubed it too. Been a long while buts its aged like a fine wine

Danger of going off piste here but great point - and isn't that true of everything the Big Yin did/does?

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[Mleabon]

Have you looked at the information on the macular society webpage and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk a bit?

I did read a report but it was ages ago so I will check out the website thank you.

 

[KASPAR]

and there wuz me thinking this was a thread about headlights that are oft complained about on Motorhomes

On the subject of driving MH in the dark, it took some adjusting to be looking down on traffic cones en route to Malvern the other week in the middle of the night.

Headlights on our MH are brilliant.

 

[Tony50]

Always good if someone isn't trying to push stuff.

He knows I'll go back so he is going to catch us sometime

 

[scotzsue]

Drove down to Newhaven overnight on Tuesday wear variofocals have done since around 1990 there is a bit of glare from some oncoming vehicles but nothing like when I am driving my car. Eyes are tested regularly new specs only a few months ago optician aware I drive at night and lenses coated with anti glare. I use proper cleaning stuff too as can tell the difference from my last pair where I used anything handy.

 

[tonyidle]

Danger of going off piste here but great point - and isn't that true of everything the Big Yin did/does?

Yes

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[swemmy666]

You won't become more long or short sighted at night! If you're out of focus at night then you're out of focus in the daytime it will be more noticeable at night as your pupils dilate though.
You can't " prescribe distance glasses based on reading" and it's a loss of elasticity in the lens that causes a reduction in focussing as you age not muscular weakness.
There is a reduction in dark adaptation as you age but again not due to muscular weakness.

Hi wino, you seem to be SME on this, so trying to understand what was said earlier. for driving, and particularly at night is it better to go the NHS route or private. I have private medical, but not for much longer so I will need to speak to my optician soon. I have noticed a drop in my ability to deal with the brighter lights of oncomings over the last year, I wear my specs with the german made yellow over lenses (I posted a link earlier)

 

[L' Hobo]

I find that as I get older my eye do not like the glare from oncoming headlight.

Talking of glare, I try not to drive at night (but I will if I have to) simply because about a quarter of vehicle now have over bright headlights.
I could counteract this by fitting 50-100% brighter ones to my vehicle but that would be unfair and inconsiderate to the other sensible drivers.

 

[swemmy666]

Talking of glare, I try not to drive at night (but I will if I have to) simply because about a quarter of vehicle now have over bright headlights.
I could counteract this by fitting 50-100% brighter ones to my vehicle but that would be unfair and inconsiderate to the other sensible drivers.

and they might end up front ending you!

 

[L' Hobo]

and they might end up front ending you!

I must admit to feeling like doing that to them on occasions as I'm bigger but, so far, I have resisted.

 

[gus-lopez]

Talking of glare, I try not to drive at night (but I will if I have to) simply because about a quarter of vehicle now have over bright headlights.
I could counteract this by fitting 50-100% brighter ones to my vehicle but that would be unfair and inconsiderate to the other sensible drivers.

If someone is coming from the other direction with main beam on,or evn what looks like it, I just flick mine to main beam also.

Motorways are my pet hate.If you need to use main beam on a motorway you really shouldn't be driving .

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[The Wino]

Hi wino, you seem to be SME on this, so trying to understand what was said earlier. for driving, and particularly at night is it better to go the NHS route or private. I have private medical, but not for much longer so I will need to speak to my optician soon. I have noticed a drop in my ability to deal with the brighter lights of oncomings over the last year, I wear my specs with the german made yellow over lenses (I posted a link earlier)

The NHS or private route for what?

 

[swemmy666]

The NHS or private route for what?

cataracts / len replacement

 

[Barriesimpson]

I use proper cleaning stuff too as can tell the difference from my last pair where I used anything handy.

I exclusively use soap and water ever since a friend of mine let me into the secret. Soap and water and dried off with paper towel, perfect every time and no scratches on the lenses. I highly recommend you try it.

 

[The Wino]

cataracts / len replacement

Ask your optometrist after your test but unless your vision when wearing the best possible correction isn't below a certain level you won't be listed for an NHS cataract operation. If you go private it's going to depend on the insurers definition of what they cover again it could be that your vision isn't bad enough but I have no real experience of what level of impairment is required for it to count as a necessary treatment rather than a cosmetic one ( a lot choose lens replacement as an alternative to specs so really a cosmetic treatment).
Do be aware that any operation carries risks however small!

 

[Jake Royd]

One thing to bear in mind which I don't think has been mentioned is that with age, the surface of your retina also deteriorates. It's made up of your 'rods & cones'.
This is also part of the reason you will need good light for reading etc. as well as distance vision at night.

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[mohobot]

Absolutely avoid it since a complete HGV wheel appeared spinning down the carriageway out of nowhere in the rain & the darkness on a motorway, only thanks to the moho gods smiling favourably did it veer off from a full frontal impact at the last second and went down the side of the van! At least in the light I believe I would have had a sporting chance of avoiding it in the first place!

 

[Wildbill]

I used to work constantly on night shift so driving at night was not a problem driving hul to Kilmarnock.
I drove a few weeks ago to Scotland at night I find a road I know very well a bit more challenging.
It only two years since I stoped night shift it made up my mind I don’t like night time driving anymore
Wb

 

[petearmo]

I used to prefer to travel at night, but these days I find it more difficult. How about you? Do you like night driving. Do you have any tips, tricks or advice I could add to this article? Cheers

Driving Your Motorhome At Night

Explore the challenges and best practices of night driving, from personal anecdotes to vital safety tips, in this enlightening blog post

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Driving my Fiat Ducato based V Line Auto Trail at night, I am finding that I am getting flashed by other drivers as if my headlights are on high beam. The headlight adjustment is set at its lowest setting so it’s definitely not this. Must be the height of the van and the modern headlights ( 2024 van )

 

[Yorkshirehead]

I enjoy driving at night.

I had started to find it really difficult with the glare and flare from oncoming headlights….. made worse by folk whose own eyesight is not what it used to be and who think fitting brighter lights, made even worse with incorrect dip patterns, is the answer to their problem.

It is now just over 12 months since I had my cataracts removed and good quality (not on the NHS) extended range lenses implanted. I now no longer need to wear glasses (which I have had to do for short-sightedness since the age of 10) and I am happy to drive at night once again.

Perhaps it may be a good idea for some Funsters to visit their Optician?

I had my eye lenses removed, because of cataracts, in 2022. Done through a needle, AMAZING! The new lenses were fine for a few months and then headlight glare became an increasing problem again. My optician diagnosed secondary cataracts, fogginess of the lens capsule, not the lens. YAG laser treatment was the answer. It cuts a hole in the capsule and, hey presto, instant improvement.
I can now drive at night with far more confidence. Do I enjoy it? No, headlights are still too bright.

I enjoy driving at night.

I had started to find it really difficult with the glare and flare from oncoming headlights….. made worse by folk whose own eyesight is not what it used to be and who think fitting brighter lights, made even worse with incorrect dip patterns, is the answer to their problem.

It is now just over 12 months since I had my cataracts removed and good quality (not on the NHS) extended range lenses implanted. I now no longer need to wear glasses (which I have had to do for short-sightedness since the age of 10) and I am happy to drive at night once again.

Perhaps it may be a good idea for some Funsters to visit their Optician?

 

[L' Hobo]

Driving my Fiat Ducato based V Line Auto Trail at night, I am finding that I am getting flashed by other drivers as if my headlights are on high beam. The headlight adjustment is set at its lowest setting so it’s definitely not this. Must be the height of the van and the modern headlights ( 2024 van )

It might be worth having a quiet chat and headlight test with a local MOT station, not where you get your warranty work done, so that you can get an independent report that you can take to the sales or warranty garage.
Size/height of vehicle shouldn't make a difference?

Perhaps, as it's a new vehicle, it's headlights/bulbs need adjustment?

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[Millcourt]

Driving my Fiat Ducato based V Line Auto Trail at night, I am finding that I am getting flashed by other drivers as if my headlights are on high beam. The headlight adjustment is set at its lowest setting so it’s definitely not this. Must be the height of the van and the modern headlights ( 2024 van )

If you have not already done so, it may be worth going to a flat-bed weighbridge when you are fully loaded (passengers, water, fuel etc.) and have the axle weights measured. You may be within the design weight limit overall, but if (for example) you are rear end heavy this will affect the angle of your headlights. This would possibly be made worse if you are carrying items such as bicycles mounted externally at the rear.

 

[Pedro Pallent]

I used to prefer to travel at night, but these days I find it more difficult. How about you? Do you like night driving. Do you have any tips, tricks or advice I could add to this article? Cheers

Driving Your Motorhome At Night

Explore the challenges and best practices of night driving, from personal anecdotes to vital safety tips, in this enlightening blog post

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

If I’m doing night driving I have a pair of yellow glasses, which highlights the road and takes the glare out of oncoming lights

 

[Clive Beeza]

I used to prefer to travel at night, but these days I find it more difficult. How about you? Do you like night driving. Do you have any tips, tricks or advice I could add to this article? Cheers

Driving Your Motorhome At Night

Explore the challenges and best practices of night driving, from personal anecdotes to vital safety tips, in this enlightening blog post

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Like most funsters on here I avoid night driving when possible
When needs must I have found something that helps a lot
put on a pair of cheap amber glasses (often used by clay Pidgeon shooters)
will comfortably fit over spectacles too
the difference is quite amazing, try a pair and you will be a convert

 

[CAB96]

From a provider of optical coatings, but interesting.

The Dangers of Yellow Night Driving Glasses - Laramy-K Independent Optical Lab

While there is a new lens coating that seems to reduce glare and enhance color saturation for night-time driving in both young an old, research has shown that

www.laramyk.com

 

[Don Campbell]

Clean screen and glasses if worn helps a lot. Driven many dark miles in the motorhome, not so many in my car as it is at eye level with laser beams from oncoming cars!

Totally agree. Driving the moho so much easier than a car at night because of the increased elevation

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