One in ten motorists confess they're 'scared' of getting behind the wheel after dark. Research involving 2,000 drivers revealed nearly a fifth (19%) said they now drive less at night than they did 12 months ago. The study discovered 32% catch themselves tensing up and clutching the steering wheel tighter than normal when being on the road at night time.
According to the findings, 63% worry about being blinded by other road users, while 24% are concerned about hitting animals. This worry is higher among women as 11% admit they are scared to drive in the dark, compared to 5% of men.
Consequently, four in ten women have asked a friend or family member to drive them instead. Additionally, 22% of all motorists have skipped social occasions that require driving at night.
When they do drive in the dark, 25% will drive well below the speed limit and 61% will steer clear of dimly-lit roads and take longer routes. With 31% willing to add more than 10 minutes to their journey for the detour.
Vauxhall, working with Dr Neale Kinnear, conducted a scientific trial to see if its adaptive Intelli-Lux HD headlights could reduce the stress of night-time driving.
The trial compared the adaptive lights, found on models like the Grandland, to standard LED headlights. The results showed participants felt 28% more confident when driving at night with the adaptive technology, along with physiological signs of lower stress, such as a lower average heart rate.
Dr Neale Kinnear, a psychologist and driver behaviour expert, explained that the exploratory real-world trial focused specifically on drivers who do not feel comfortable driving at night. He noted that although participants weren't told what was being tested, "a very clear pattern emerged."
He explained that when drivers completed the night-time route with Intelli-Lux HD headlights, rather than standard LED headlights, the drive "was consistently rated as easier, more comfortable, and less demanding."
He added: "Taken together, the findings suggest that lighting technology can meaningfully change how night-time driving feels, and for drivers who find driving after dark uncomfortable or stressful, that has real potential to support confidence and everyday mobility."
Eurig Druce, a spokesperson for Vauxhall, added that by putting the technology to the test under real-world driving conditions, they could "clearly see the benefits of the more advanced headlights compared to standard LED headlights."
He said the goal was "Helping drivers feel more comfortable and confident when undertaking night-time journeys."
