topic Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT in Among Friends

DRIVING AT NIGHT

Shanus — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:24:10 GMT

Does anyone still drive at night? I see OK, but just not comfortable driving in the dark in case something happens to the car, etc.

I think I've watched too much CRIMINAL MINDS, LAW & ORDER SVU, crime dramas, etc. It seems women alone are always kidnapped or murdered alone at night. Back to the HGTV or Food Network.

OK, so more expensive...a lot... but I always valet park when it's available. I have a thing about parking decks, and large parking lots at night, too.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

SilleeMee — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:28:14 GMT

I don't leave my house if it's dark outside. The only time I go out, when it's partially dark, is early in the morning before the sun comes up to pick up my groceries at curbside. I do not drive at night at all.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

Shanus — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:30:14 GMT

@SilleeMee Now I don't feel so badly. I love the "other time" when I can toodle around until almost 8PM and it's just getting dark.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

SilleeMee — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:33:41 GMT

@Shanus

I don't feel safe after dark. Never have. Even when I was younger hanging with a group of friends at night. Just didn't like being out at night alone or otherwise.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

We rescue cats — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:53:48 GMT

I do when needed but I prefer not to do so. My eyesight is such that if the roadways are wet I have a huge issue dealing with headlights and some street lights. My husband is always giving me heck about being in town after dark. I had my office in the heart of downtown and I never worried about leaving after dark but that was several years ago and now things are much more dangerous. . . my mind needs to adapt and remember that.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

haddon9 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:59:59 GMT

I don't like driving in the dark either and try to avoid doing so. However there is the rare occasion when I will drive locally after dark.

If I do, I'm usually with a friend who also doesn't like to drive in the dark. If I go out to dinner and they offer valet service I will use that. Locally it seems that the restaurants that offer valet parking require that people use it.

I realize that one can't be too careful and bad things can happen anywhere but I feel very safe in my local area. Violent crime is rare here. If one reads the local police reports, it is usually DUIs or people reporting scams.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

roeroe1005 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:12:32 GMT

I'm still okay w/driving at night if I know where I'm going. My problem is driving in bad weather, even rain.

When I lived in Delaware, the roads in my area were all flat and pretty much straight. Now that I'm back in NY, northern Westchester, I forgot about all the hills, curves, no lights at night. And that is what freaks me out. Even with Waze, I'm still getting lost. One lane roads and tailgaters aren't helping.

In addition, the development where I now live, parking spaces are tight and the person next to me drives a larger SUV. I have to be very careful getting into my parking spot.

Since moving back, I rarely go out anymore.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

LindaSal — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:15:44 GMT

DH and I still drive at night but it's only once in awhile for dinner and a night out with friends, but those things have ample time in between them these days. Any appoinments or groceries we always do in the daylight hours, as we are most productive in the mornings. I do however see our eyes having a bit more difficulty focusing at night and agree the bright headlights and streetlights can be tough. Sooner or later we most likely will not go out when it's totally dark anymore.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

Desertdi — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:17:32 GMT

Yeah...I'm a regular "night owl"... (!!!)

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

KailaS — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:19:05 GMT

I always drove at night ( often taught until 10:00) and did not worry too much about bad weather. Now, due to macular degeneration, I am losing my vision. So, night driving is out. I am becoming more fearful of driving during the day although I still am allowed to do so.

I also live in an area where assigned parking spaces are " tight." I drive a car. Those in my whole parking lot are so proud of their big trucks and SUVs. If only they knew how to park them within the lines of their parking spaces.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

Estellee — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:30:35 GMT

I never thought anything of driving at night. Now I avoid it as much as possible. I watch too many crime drama shows @Shanus

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

PinkyPetunia — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:43:19 GMT

I prefer not to drive in the dark. Errands can easily be done during the day. Sometimes a late appointment or visit can result in driving home at twilight or darker as the days are so short. I'm in a big suburb and main roads are well lit but I am super cautious.

I live on a cul de sac and once a neighbor was backing out of her driveway in the dark and hit a UPS truck (brown) that was stopped for deliveries. She did not see it.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

LadybugDG — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:44:10 GMT

Not unless I have to. My eyesight is not what it use to be. In town with all the lights, no problem, but I live outside the city where there are not as many lights, so getting home is difficult.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

Still Raining — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:59:05 GMT

How can you not drive at night? Have to get places right? Would not dream of not going to my classes or groups.

Turn off the pseudo news scare shows. Too much hype.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

OKPrincess — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:59:31 GMT

I no longer drive at night but DH will drive only if we can stay off highways at night.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

SoCal Bred — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:10:09 GMT

I avoid driving at night due to the glare from the traffic headlights, my eyesight is not as keen as it used to be when I was younger.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

smoochy — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:18:38 GMT

two issues: eyesight and safety,

my vision is a little blurry so lights and reflections can be a problem.
I make a forty mile trip to Tampa on Tuesday nights for chorus rehearsal. 7-10pm or later. Stop at a convenience store afterwards for a bottle of pop. Not too concerned about being mugged or carjacked. I choose brightly lit, busy stores like Wawa. And I carry a pistol

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

FranandZoe — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:25:44 GMT

I don't go out at night if I can help it. And I generally can.

I watch a lot of true crime and news - it's not pseudo. You can't be too careful these days.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

mrshckynut — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:46:23 GMT

@Shanus only drive at night when necessary always use valet in huge parking areas and decks too easy to forget for me

mrshckynut

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT

ciao_bella — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:31:53 GMT

I still drive at night, but most of my 'needed' driving is during the daytime hours.

Standard Time makes for earlier, darker hours. By 4:30-ish, it's already getting dark outside, so driving in the dark in the northeast is a reality for many of us.

I don't like parking decks for many reasons, but have no choice when my daughter has a specialist appointment every 6 months and she and I go there together. It's right in the middle of a very busy city with a medical university and several hospitals and doctor's offices right smack in the middle of where we need to go.