31% of UK Drivers Report Nighttime Driving Anxiety
According to recent data from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), nearly one-third (31%) of UK drivers feel highly uncomfortable driving at night. With over 38 million drivers in the UK, this translates to almost 12 million motorists who harbor anxiety about nighttime driving.
The same RoSPA study, conducted in collaboration with lens manufacturer Essilor, reveals that 40% of all road accidents occur during dark hours. Fatigue behind the wheel contributes to around 20% of serious motorway accidents, where monotonous conditions are challenging enough in daylight but become significantly more perilous at night.
Reduced visibility is another critical concern. Our eyes take longer to adjust to darkness, limiting the distance a driver can see. This, combined with the difficulty in judging the speed and distance of other road users, poses a substantial risk, particularly when other vehicles might be traveling faster than perceived.
Moreover, 91% of drivers report being regularly dazzled by oncoming traffic. Government data indicates that glare causes approximately 300 accidents annually in the UK. Notably, it can take up to nine seconds for the human eye to fully recover from glare—ample time for an accident to occur.
Dr. Andy Hepworth from Essilor notes that for those who wear glasses, these challenges can be exacerbated: “With short winter days and often poor weather conditions, many drivers have no choice but to drive in the dark. This results in glare from oncoming traffic and other light sources, which significantly reduces visibility. Glasses lenses can sometimes create additional reflections, further impairing vision.”
Simple Tips for Safer Night Driving:
- Keep your windscreen clean, both inside and out, using an anti-fog spray and a microfibre cloth.
- Ensure your washer fluid is topped up and your wipers are in good condition.
- Dip your rear-view mirror at night, or opt for a car with an auto-dimming mirror.
- Lower your headlights when facing oncoming traffic or when there’s a vehicle ahead, regardless of distance.
- Adjust your lights downward if carrying a heavy load to prevent dazzling other drivers.
- Slow down or stop if you’re struggling with visibility, and give your eyes time to adjust to the dark before setting off.
- Maintain a greater distance between your vehicle and others, as judging speed and distance is more challenging at night.
For more tips on driving safety and other helpful resources, you can visit Driving.org.