Turns out I always turn lights on in such HDR situations producing low-contrast areas: if you have a hard time seeing those in front of you, those behind you have a hard time seeing you. Same goes for haphazard tree shades, even though it looks like it's bright enough, the alternating areas of bright and dark makes you difficult to see. Also, I have excellent eyesight which biases me into what is seeable and what is not, but I try to take into account those who don't, and act accordingly.