Being able to see the road and not be distracted, no matter what, is key to driving safely – but there’s a lot more to being safe on the road than your concentration levels and it’s essential that your windscreen isn’t causing problems and taking your attention away from what you’re doing.

The Highway Code states that windows and windscreens in cars have to be kept clean and free from obstructions in order to ensure that you can see out properly.

If you fail to keep your vision free from obstructions, you could be hit with a fine and three penalty points on your licence. You could also potentially fail your MOT and, if you are in an accident, you could be held responsible if your vision isn’t clear.

To make sure that you’re following the Highway Code, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the controls in your car so you know how to demist windows as and when required.

Find the windscreen demister, always keep a cloth handy in the car so you can wipe the windows if you need to and remember that you can use the air conditioning to help dry the air out and prevent your windscreen from misting up.

If you find that you’re having increasing windscreen glare problems, it may be because your windscreen isn’t clean so give it a good polish inside and out, and check that it’s free from any chips or cracks. Give the wiper blades a clean as well, as these could be creating smears, as well.

And you may also want to remove any dangling objects from your rearview mirror, such as air fresheners or little stuffed toys, as if they obstruct your view you could actually be breaking the law.

It’s also worth knowing what’s expected of you and your windscreen where your MOT test is concerned. It’s possible that your car will fail its MOT if the washers don’t have enough liquid to clear the screen, if your wipers are missing, in poor condition or are insecure, and if your windscreen is chipped or cracked.

Even a tiny chip can cause you to fail your MOT if it’s in your line of vision, so always give your windscreen a good onceover so you know there are no potential issues before you go to take the test.

Repairs typically involve cleaning the damaged area, before drying it and filling it with some clear resin so you can continue to see out.

You may find that the damage doesn’t completely disappear, but the affected area will be a lot less visible, so won’t interfere with your concentration when on the road. Cracks, however, are more serious and you will likely have to replace the windscreen.

Need someone to fix your windscreen? Call Glass Assist today.