An Ultimate Guide to Night Driving Glasses
In difficult driving conditions such as nighttime, all drivers face reduced visibility. Many things can distract us while driving at night or in poor weather conditions, such as the headlights of oncoming cars, glare, and other dazzling lights. Driving at night can be fun, exciting, peaceful, and calm; however, many people find it hard and stressful. Because we can’t see things as well in the dark, many accidents occur while driving at night, regardless of driver age. But you should not panic. Wearing night driving glasses is the perfect solution and can help you by reducing glare from oncoming traffic and allow you to drive safely at night.
Why am I having difficulties while driving at night?
Night driving involves several specific difficulties. First, and maybe most important, is the zone of limited visibility. Lower visibility on the road causes reduced driving safety. As a driver, this makes you more careful, concentrated, and pay greater attention to your driving. It is believed that the volume of traffic is significantly reduced at night and becomes much easier, but let's return to the statistics indicating that almost half of all traffic accidents happen at night1.
Driving at night can be really challenging for drivers and present unexpected dangers such as bad weather conditions. At the same time, drivers’ response times are much longer than during the day. Here are examples of when a driver might be surprised: “blindness” caused by oncoming headlights, poor visibility due to weather conditions, dangerous overtaking on uneven roads, pedestrians without special reflectors, and more.
Driving during the night is a different experience than day driving, so it is important to be as focused as possible and prepare the car for the road, as certain car parts play a very important role. Furthermore, night driving can be an even more difficult task if the weather conditions are bad2. If there is another aggravating factor during night driving, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog, we advise you to take a break. Of course, for those who have to be at a certain destination at a certain time, we suggest considering all the tips we have suggested and be even more careful.
How to drive at night?
As mentioned above, night driving is very different from driving during the day. Since we are not used to being awake at night, it is important to be well-rested before starting your journey. While driving, if you notice that you are becoming fatigued, or that you are falling asleep and your concentration is weakening, stop and take a break to avoid additional unwanted situations3.
Driving at night requires focus and attention. Several factors are involved, including limited visibility distance, uneven roads, inability to follow the horizon line, unpredictable sharp drops and rises, uneven and unmarked roads, and other difficulties. As a driver, you need to be responsible and careful, and to follow certain rules. Before driving, take a look at your headlights. If they are dirty, they can scatter light everywhere (light dispersion). Also, make sure they are in the correct position and will not blind drivers coming from the opposite direction. Clean the windshield and headlights, so you can avoid significant additional distractions. You should take regular breaks if you feel sleepy or just need a break for water. Most importantly, whether driving in the day or at night, it is crucial to be fresh and prepared.
Besides unpredictable situations, it is important to remember that in addition to disciplined drivers on the road, you can also meet those who neglect safety. Inattentive pedestrians and cyclists who pay no attention to the color of their clothes and do not wear special reflectors can be an unpleasant surprise on the road.
Wearing night driving glasses
Driving glasses can sometimes be very helpful, as many drivers complain of blurred vision while driving at night. Poor night vision can affect people of any age, but can improve it by wearing night vision glasses for driving that have special lenses. These lenses can enhance contrast, filter out bright lights, and eliminate glare. To achieve the most comfortable night driving, start with a visit to an ophthalmologist to have a comprehensive ophthalmological examination. Many people who think they can see well are surprised by how much clearer they can see at night after correcting even a small refractive error with new glasses.
Moreover, specifically designed driving glasses can be very useful. LUMIN night driving glasses (I-L-Lumin) can help to reduce glare at night and enhance night vision. The main role of night driving glasses is to reduce reflection by up to 90 percent, which is made possible by polycarbonate lenses. These glasses are made of hard, impact-resistant plastic and are suitable for long-term use. Most models are unisex, which means they are designed to suit both men and women. Positive user experiences are derived from increased contrast and sharpening of the contours of objects, which reduces stress and increases driving safety. The lenses are made in several colors, but the most common are yellow-tinted.
Spektrum Glasses offer the best night driving glasses, including Shift, Sol, and Vector glasses.
All IlLumin glasses make it easier to see road markings, traffic lights, street signs, and oncoming traffic in poor weather or at night. They provide great comfort and are suitable for everyone. Their specific design includes durable, scratch-resistant frames that will last in the long term, and, like regular sunglasses, they absorb 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Your vision is greatly enhanced, which decreases eye fatigue and headaches. They are also made from a high-quality material, resulting in a lightweight design enabling you to wear them for hours without discomfort.
Night glasses benefits include:
- elimination of reflection from external light sources;
- enhancement of contrast and contours of objects;
- large selection of models at reasonable prices;
- high-quality materials.
The frame of Shift glasses is made from TR90 which is a thermoplastic material. TR90 is extremely lightweight, flexible and durable. The Vector line’s frame is made from Polycarbonate and TR90, and the frame materials of Sol glasses are TR90 and stainless steel. The lenses of all these night driving glasses are polycarbonate, which has excellent impact resistance, is light, and results in thin lenses.
Final thoughts
Driving at night can be a problem for anybody involved in traffic, whether more or less experienced, because of exposure to light of different intensities and directions emitted by car headlights, traffic lights, and street lighting. Night glasses are for everyone, especially for older people due to age-related decline in vision4. Fortunately, these night glasses are special glasses intended for drivers that will reduce unpleasant reflection by up to 90 percent. Also, we recommend you do not ignore fatigue and headaches, and that if you have trouble seeing while driving at night, you wear night driving glasses for a safe and secure trip.
1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation (US). Traffic Safety Facts: 2007 Data: Passenger vehicle occupant fatalities by day and night- a contrast. US Department of Transportation, Washington (DC): 2019.
2. Malin F, Norros I, Innamma S. Accident risk of road and weather conditions on different road types. Accident Analysis and Prevention 2019; 122: 181-188.
3. Peters, Robert D. February 1999. Effects of Partial and Total Sleep Deprivation on Driving Performance. US Department of Transportation.
4. Owsley C. Driver capabilities in transportation in an aging society: a decade of experience. Technical Papers and Reports from a Conference: Bethesda, MD; Nov. 7-9, 1999. Washington, DC, Transportation Research Board; 2004.