Has anyone else noticed the increase in usage of aftermarket headlights on cars and motorbikes? I've not really seen them in my area until this year, but now every Tom, Dick, and Harry has them. Every evening I am blinded by them and get those black dots in my eye sight. It's dangerous. Is there anything that can be done? 

46 minutes ago, alien365 said:

Has anyone else noticed the increase in usage of aftermarket headlights on cars and motorbikes? I've not really seen them in my area until this year, but now every Tom, Dick, and Harry has them. Every evening I am blinded by them and get those black dots in my eye sight. It's dangerous. Is there anything that can be done? 

Is there anything that can be done?

Yes, don't look at them.   What makes you say that they are aftermarket lights, perhaps they're just standard LED lights that most manufacturers are now using?  It's highly unlikely that every Tom, Dick and Harry are changing their headlamps.

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Yes, don't look at them. 

 

There is no test for pedestrians but when driving they used to teach, don't look directly at them. Unless of course you wife continually says "Yes dear"

7 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Is there anything that can be done?

Yes, don't look at them.   What makes you say that they are aftermarket lights, perhaps they're just standard LED lights that most manufacturers are now using?  It's highly unlikely that every Tom, Dick and Harry are changing their headlamps.

How can I look where I'm going on a straightish road by looking away? I obviously don't look directly into the headlights, but I need to still look at the road. 

Regarding being standard lights, It tends to be the older vehicles that are causing the problem for me, apart from the occasional BMW

Cheap LED conversions for older cars - the reflectors are not designed for the longer shape of some LED lightbulbs so the dip beam is too high and much brighter.

 

When I converted my motorbike to LED I ordered replacement bulbs that had the LED's for main and dip in the same position as the filaments in the original H4 bulbs (dimensions and spec details listed when I ordered them).  I then tested them on the dark road to confirm the dip was still down and to the correct side.

 

But if you just stick any cheap LED's in your older lights they can be a serious hazard to other road users.

 

5 hours ago, alien365 said:

How can I look where I'm going on a straightish road by looking away?

 

You look at the edge of the road away from and not directly at the headlights. Or If you prefer into the black hole into which you are about to drive. That knowledge should have been part of your driving instruction.

7 hours ago, alien365 said:

How can I look where I'm going on a straightish road by looking away?

Utilizes your peripheral vision and for night driving maintain awareness of the white fog line on the edge of the road. That white line on the edge of the road (if the road has it) has an actual safety purpose, an example is what you’re experiencing. And stop staring into the oncoming lights, you’ll eventually nail it if you keep it up.

Back in the day I used to have a small/tiny blue light installed in the upper corner of the windscreen/shield pointing at my face. The concept was that the blue light kept my pupils contracted so that when an oncoming vehicle had passed my eyes did not have a delay to readjust.