Chaps, It's not hopeless! I think a lot of the fatalism expressed here could make matters worse if PPL's reading this thread decide that night engine failure = certain death. It doesn't.
For instance, friend of mine, Cessna, didn't like the price of petrol at big airport so set off home without it. Engine stopped. Aimed for the dark bit, landed without damage in field. Rang for fuel in cans, nearly got away undetected as dawn broke and farmer called police.
Don't get me wrong on this - I'm not advocating taking chances at night and 45 min reserve is a good rule in an aeroplane you know well - more in anything else.
I think the issues here exactly mirror the ditching debate - what counts is a good positive attitude to what is generally a survivable situation. Fly the Aeroplane! Most CFIT are survivable at minmium speed, while many stalls and most spins are not.
BTW, more thoughtful US instructors of my acquaintance advocate landing beside the road, not on it. Many collisions with cars have been fatal and there is less chance of hitting signs, etc., while you are still likely to be noticed by passing traffic.