What do you do if your windscreen cracks while driving?
What To Do If Your Windscreen Breaks While Driving
- Reduce your Speed.
- Park in a Safe Place.
- Put your Hazard Lights on.
- Call for assistance.
Can a crack in a windscreen be repaired?
Size, severity and location of the chip can determine whether it can a windscreen repair can fix the problem. If the chip is in zone A, a chip up to 10mm in length can be repaired. If the crack has spread following initial damage, you’re probably going to have to get a new windscreen quote for a replacement.
Is it illegal to drive with a cracked windscreen?
Yes, it’s illegal and, depending on where the crack is and how deep the crack is, the police can pick you up for having a windscreen that’s defective. There are actually several reasons why it is illegal to drive with a cracked or smashed windscreen, starting with the crack potentially obscuring…
What happens if your windscreen is damaged on a car?
It could constitute use of a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition. The Highway Code states that drivers should have a full view of the road ahead and glass should be maintained in a good condition.
Is it dangerous to drive with a smashed windscreen?
That’s super dangerous! Modern glass breaks much more cleanly than old glass, but glass shards are still sharp and pose a risk. A smashed windscreen will often result in shards of glass dropping into the cabin of the car. This could injure someone or shock the driver.
What to do if you have a crack in your windscreen?
Contact a glass repair service or your insurance company to have it fixed before it gets larger. In the meantime, cover the crack with clear sticky tape on the inside and outside to prevent water or dirt from getting into it. You should probably pull over and quickly inspect the crack, but you can probably continue to drive if the crack is small.
Therefore a windscreen that is cracked may be illegal and could cause the entire windscreen to fail, leading to potentially disastrous consequences. For the purposes of the annual MOT test, whether a vehicle with a cracked windscreen will be passed as roadworthy depends on the location and size of the damage.
Why are cracked windshield laws important to drivers?
Where the crack occurs, the severity of the crack, and the state that you are driving in determine whether or not the windshield needs to be replaced. Cracked windshield laws are some of the more important rules of the road, because they make sure that drivers have a clear and safe view from their vehicle.
Is it possible for a cracked windshield to shatter?
If you’re wondering, “Can a cracked windshield shatter?”, yes, it can. Especially after the impact caused by a collision. The good news is, windshields today are specifically designed to hold shattered glass together. OEM windshields, in particular, use special adhesives keeping broken glass pieces glued together.
Can you be charged with careless driving for windscreen wipers?
MILLIONS of Brits are driving with faulty windscreen wipers, putting them at risk of deadly accidents this winter. Drivers can even be charged with careless driving if police deem the damaged wipers to impede their ability to drive safely. A recent study undertaken by Halfords has revealed 6.5million cars are being driven with broken wiper blades.