Windscreen Safety - The Importance of Keeping a Clear Driver’S View of the Road
Most of us probably take our windscreens for granted, viewing them as little more than a device to keep the rain out of our car. However, your windscreen is perhaps one of the most important features of your vehicle, given that if it wasn't in good working order then you would have little to no visibility of the road ahead, making driving near impossible. So how do you keep your windscreen in tip top condition?
Perhaps the first thing to ensure is that your windscreen is completely clean and clear of any obstructions. This applies to both the inside and the outside - people who choose to smoke in their car will definitely see a build-up of nicotine on the inside of their windscreen glass. However, many non-smokers may not realise that a film of dirt can just as easily cover the inside of their glass over time. Regularly cleaning the inside of your windscreen with a damp cloth or special wipes that can be purchased in most supermarkets and making sure the outside is also free from any obstructing marks or smears will set you on the right track. And when the weather is frosty or snowy, be sure you have completely defrosted and scraped your windscreen clear before attempting to drive off. Try to avoid using boiling hot water to do this as this can cause cracks in your windscreen if there is existing damage due to the sudden change in temperature.
Another way to ensure you have a clear view is by making sure you always have the screen wash solution in your car topped up with a good quality brand - this will not only help to keep your windscreen clean but will reduce freezing in the colder months. Of course, screen wash will not work effectively if your windscreen wipers are not in good working order, so do make sure you check these regularly. This is especially important as a car can actually fail an MOT if the wipers on it are found to be damaged, missing or do not clear the windscreen to give you a sufficiently unobstructed view of the road.
And not only can you fail an MOT based on the condition of your windscreen wipers, in certain circumstances damage to the windscreen itself can result in a failure depending on the nature of the damage and location. This is obviously due to the fact that a chip or scratch in a certain area may impair your vision whilst driving. If you notice such a chip or crack, then it may be advisable to get this looked at sooner rather than later. These can often be repaired however dependent on the size and position of the chip you may be facing a windscreen replacement cost, although this is normally covered by your insurance.
All in all, by not taking your windscreen for granted and remembering to maintain it can mean the difference between not only having good visibility on the roads, but whether your car will pass or fail its MOT.
Perhaps the first thing to ensure is that your windscreen is completely clean and clear of any obstructions. This applies to both the inside and the outside - people who choose to smoke in their car will definitely see a build-up of nicotine on the inside of their windscreen glass. However, many non-smokers may not realise that a film of dirt can just as easily cover the inside of their glass over time. Regularly cleaning the inside of your windscreen with a damp cloth or special wipes that can be purchased in most supermarkets and making sure the outside is also free from any obstructing marks or smears will set you on the right track. And when the weather is frosty or snowy, be sure you have completely defrosted and scraped your windscreen clear before attempting to drive off. Try to avoid using boiling hot water to do this as this can cause cracks in your windscreen if there is existing damage due to the sudden change in temperature.
Another way to ensure you have a clear view is by making sure you always have the screen wash solution in your car topped up with a good quality brand - this will not only help to keep your windscreen clean but will reduce freezing in the colder months. Of course, screen wash will not work effectively if your windscreen wipers are not in good working order, so do make sure you check these regularly. This is especially important as a car can actually fail an MOT if the wipers on it are found to be damaged, missing or do not clear the windscreen to give you a sufficiently unobstructed view of the road.
And not only can you fail an MOT based on the condition of your windscreen wipers, in certain circumstances damage to the windscreen itself can result in a failure depending on the nature of the damage and location. This is obviously due to the fact that a chip or scratch in a certain area may impair your vision whilst driving. If you notice such a chip or crack, then it may be advisable to get this looked at sooner rather than later. These can often be repaired however dependent on the size and position of the chip you may be facing a windscreen replacement cost, although this is normally covered by your insurance.
All in all, by not taking your windscreen for granted and remembering to maintain it can mean the difference between not only having good visibility on the roads, but whether your car will pass or fail its MOT.