The Risks of Driving With a Cracked Windscreen
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You know that chip in your windscreen? You know the one – it’s been there for ages, you keep saying you’ll get it sorted but, of course, you’ve been far too busy. After all, it’s only a chip so it’s not the most important thing on your to-do list. It does seem a little bit bigger than last week though, but it’ll probably be alright.
At some point, we’ve all been guilty of this kind of thinking. There’s a thin line between a chipped windscreen and a cracked one, which is why leaving the fix until the last minute is so dangerous. This month, 1st Call Windscreens will be going through all of the risks of driving with a cracked windscreen, hopefully giving you the push you needed to get that chip sorted.
Collisions and crashes
- The airbag problem: One of the biggest risks of driving with a cracked windscreen is that the windscreen could shatter in the event of a collision. This is because when the passenger airbag is deployed, it will travel upward and bounce off the windscreen to ensure that the passenger’s head doesn’t hit the glass. However, if the windscreen is cracked, the airbag – which is travelling at around 150mph once deployed – will likely shatter the windscreen, meaning both the passenger and the driver have no protection from the force of the crash.
- The rolling problem: It’s also worth bearing in mind that, if the vehicle was to roll over due to a collision or an accident, over half the strength required to ensure the vehicle doesn’t cave in is provided by the windscreen. So if the windscreen is cracked, the chances are the roof of the vehicle will simply buckle under the pressure. The consequences of this don’t bear thinking about.
Driving with a cracked windscreen can be illegal, therefore it’s vital to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Impaired vision
Not only does a cracked windscreen not allow your vehicle’s essential safety features to function properly in the event of a collision, it could also make the chances of you having a collision higher. This is because the crack could potentially block out a large portion of the windscreen, narrowing your visual field and making oncoming traffic and other hazards more difficult to see. It’s also worth mentioning that the crack itself could be a visual distraction while driving, which means your eyes won’t be on the road.
Driving with a cracked windscreen is illegal
This is perhaps the most important reason not to drive with a cracked windscreen: it’s illegal! The Highway Code states that a driver should have a full view of the road ahead and glass should be maintained properly to ensure clarity of vision. Of course, if your windscreen is cracked you won’t have either of those things.
If you are stopped while driving with a cracked windscreen, it could result in a fixed penalty of three points on your license and a fine. If you have an accident whilst driving with a cracked windscreen, you could be charged with a more serious offence.
If you’ve got a crack in your windscreen that needs replacing right away, look no further than 1st Call Windscreens. Our expert technicians replace windscreens for all kinds of vehicles, from cars to vans and HGVs, so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands with us. We offer a speedy service and competitive prices too, so what are you waiting for? Get in touch today.
1st Call Windscreens
Hello and welcome to 1st Call Windscreens. To put it simply, we offer the best windscreen repair and windscreen replacement services for customers in Sittingbourne, Maidstone and the rest of Kent.
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- Reviews.io
we are very happy with the repairs carried out and the speed of the response. Great job, would recommend !st Call Windscreens any time....
- 3 days ago
Excellent service. A niggling leak on the windscreen was fixed quickly and efficiently. The screen was removed without fuss or damage and resealed. It's a job that insurers won't touch,they only de...
- 2 weeks ago
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 ...
- 3 weeks 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 ...
- 1 month 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...
- 2 months ago
Brilliant service. Would recommend 1st call windscreens to anyone looking for an efficient service. Friendly and helpful above and beyond ! 0...
- 2 months 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....
- 3 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...
- 3 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...
- 4 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...
- 4 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...
- 4 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...
- 5 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...
- 6 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...
- 7 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...
- 7 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...
- 8 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...
- 8 months ago
George west from 1st call windscreens Ltd was quite friendly and managed to do a fantastic job on my stone CHIP WINDSCREEN....
- 8 months ago
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