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Keeping your vehicle safe on the road should be a top priority for any driver. It’s not just your tyres and the mechanical components you have to keep an eye on, your windscreen is a vital safety feature, too.
While on the road, you need full visibility at all times. A sat nav can help you to navigate the winding roads far more conveniently than a paper A-Z, but if it’s mounted poorly on your windscreen it will be more of a hinderance. In this article, we’re looking at the legality of windscreen suction mounts and how they affect your ability to drive safely.
Although there are no specific rules for sat-nav or phone placements, but there are advisories. In the Highway Code, it is stated that “windscreens and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision”. When deciding to mount anything on your windscreen, you need to keep this in mind; you will be penalised if you are found to be in breach of this.
While mounting a sat nav to your windscreen technically isn’t illegal, it isn’t encouraged. If you do want to use a windscreen sucker mount, you should mount the sat nav as low down and close to the dashboard as possible. Keep it away from the area of your windscreen that is swept by your wipers, but also make sure that it doesn’t interfere any of the vehicle controls.
The sat nav should be in your line of sight, but not in a position that blocks your view of the road. Obviously, installing your suction mount in the dead centre of your windscreen is a major hazard, and you’ll be quickly penalised while driving in this manner.
It can be difficult to find the perfect safe spot on your windscreen – which is why windscreen mounting isn’t encouraged – but using common sense and trying out a few different places before you set off should be of help. Some things to remember are:
It’s always worth looking into alternative mounting options when using a sat nav in your car. You can avoid obstructions on windscreens by choosing a non-slip dash mount for your sat nav, and you can also find mounts that hook into your air vents. These options will keep the screen easily accessible, while maximising your field of vision while driving.
Also keep in mind that a suction mount will leave a tell-tale sign on the windscreen when you take it off. This could suggest to thieves that you are potentially keeping an expensive sat nav in the car. This shouldn’t be the case, but if you’re worried about break-ins, a windscreen mount may not be ideal.
Every car is different, so finding the perfect solution for you can take some time. The main thing to remember is to keep your windscreen clear and not to become distracted while using a sat nav while driving. A suction mount might be easy and convenient for you, but it could also be dangerous.
1st Call Windscreens carry out professional windscreen repair and replacements throughout Maidstone, Sittingbourne & the rest of Kent. Our 24/7 service can help you out no matter where you are, whether you’re at work, at home or stuck by the roadside. From minor chip repair to full windscreen replacements, our friendly team have all the expertise to get you back on the road safely without delay. For more information, simply get in touch with us today.
Posted by: 1st Call Windscreens
We are proud to be a leading windscreen company covering our local areas of Maidstone, Sittingbourne and the rest of Kent since 1996. Our 25+ years experience in windscreen services includes windscreen repair and replacement for cars, vans, trucks and more! Our expert technicians hold the relevant qualifications so you can rest easy knowing that your windscreen is in safe hands.
Discovered my Volvo V50 was not sealing at the top. Autoglass wanted to replace it for £700, called 1st Call and they removed and resealed it for £100+vat and said that if it had broken it would only ...
- 6 days ago
Absolutely the best. From the first phone call to collecting my car with new side window that had been vandalised being replaced. next day service so my car was back on the road promptly. Extremely ...
- 3 weeks ago
Excellent Workmanship Good Value and Top Quality Customer Service: I recently had my Ford Fiesta ST heated windscreen replaced by 1st Call Windscreens, I couldn't be happier with the whole experienc...
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Brilliant service. Would recommend 1st call windscreens to anyone looking for an efficient service. Friendly and helpful above and beyond ! 0...
- 1 month ago
Asked for a quote online which came through quickly. Just £48 inc vat for windscreen stone chip. Phoned to book a repair. I could either take the car to them or they would come out to me the next day....
- 2 months ago
Tom turned up on time, he was professional but friendly, he kept me informed on what he was doing and progress, and did a great job! Thanks Tom. Would highly recommend...
- 2 months ago
I needed my windscreen replaced due to a large crack; I was booked in straight away and I couldn’t be happier. They came to my house to fit the replacement, only took them about 20 minutes and they ev...
- 3 months ago
Couldn't be happier, had my Evoque windscreen re sealed as was leaking. Highly recommend 1st Call Windscreens. The guys were extremely helpful & friendly both on phone and doing the work. The work was...
- 3 months ago
Fantastic service, booked for a site visit to alleviate any disruption to the engineers day and it all went seamlessly. I would definitely recommend 1st Call Windscreens and will use them in the futu...
- 3 months ago
Customer service were great responded to my call out vey quickly and the guy that came out was very nice and helpful Thank you...
- 4 months ago
Had my chip fixed at my home this afternoon - cannot praise the service enough!!!! Lovely man who took 10-15 minutes - perfect job and no issues - very good price and highly recommend them Jo Seveno...
- 5 months ago
Very helpful and carried out a repair at very short notice on our way to catch a ferry. Very polite and stabilised the chip in our windscreen so that we could continue abroad for our holiday uninterru...
- 6 months ago
Made a call to 1st call windscreens as I was worried about a chip in my screen. The guys were very helpful, turned up on time and carried out a fantastic repair and was cheaperthan my insurance acce...
- 6 months ago
We had an emergency windscreen repair needed when travelling down from Oxfordshire to Kent. The Sittingbourne team went out of their way to help us at very short notice and allowing us to resume our j...
- 6 months ago
Jake was friendly, polite and helpful. He left no mess inside or outside the car and took away the boxes the seals came in even though they were supplied direct by the BMW dealer....
- 7 months ago
Arrived on time at my home address. Was very professional, polite and efficient. No hassle and no mess. Screen was replaced on my mini in no time at all and looks perfect. Thank you will highly recom...
- 7 months ago
So happy with Byron and Jake today very friendly and professional from 1st Call Windscreens Ltd. They come extremely well prepared with attention to detail. A great job was done on replacing my wind...
- 7 months ago
1st Call windscreens are absolutely 1st class. Spoke with David on the phone and he was so helpful and knowledgeable. Took our car up to them to advise on the correct windscreens which embarrassingl...
- 7 months ago
George west from 1st call windscreens Ltd was quite friendly and managed to do a fantastic job on my stone CHIP WINDSCREEN....
- 7 months ago
Excellent all round service and a very quick response so we highly recommend 1st Call Windscreens every time....
- 8 months ago
Great service from Kieran. Easy to arrange. Convenience of a home visit and great professional job. So happy....
- 8 months ago
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