The windscreen is one of the most important parts of the car when it comes to visibility, safety, security and protection, and if there is any significant damage to it, getting a replacement professionally fitted must be the priority.

This is not just a matter of safety but also legality; the Highway Code is clear that windows and windscreens must be free of visual obstructions, of which a crack or suitably sized chip definitely counts. This is not something the police treat lightly and can lead to significant fines.

However, some people believe that a way around this if a windscreen breaks is simply to just go without. If the windscreen cracks, take out the rest and drive the rest of the way in the open air.

This is an exceptionally foolish and unsafe way to drive, particularly since windscreens do a lot to protect the driver and front passenger from debris, insects and potential frontal impacts, but is it strictly illegal?

The answer is that in the vast majority of cases, it is going to be illegal. There are exceptions, such as cars that let you fold down the windscreen or classic cars that never had one, but if a car is designed to have a windscreen and does not, it is probably going to be dangerous to drive.

If the windscreen breaks you can drive it to somewhere safe as an emergency but anything beyond that is likely to be illegal.

The reason for that is that a car is unlikely to pass an MOT test without a windscreen if it was designed to have one, this means that it is not considered roadworthy, and driving a car that is not roadworthy is a crime.

This suggests that unless it passes its MOT test without a windscreen, it will be illegal to drive without one, and the people who choose to risk their lives and the lives of other road users are also at risk of fines and penalty points.