5 Tips on how to prevent windscreen damage on road

Protecting your vehicle and the people inside is your number one concern. While rock chips and cracks are aesthetically displeasing, they can also lead to bigger, more costly problems. Explore the following tips for protecting your vehicle on the road to prevent glass windshield damage.

1. Drive the Speed Limit

When you drive the speed limit, the impact of rocks and debris is lessened. If you can, drive five miles an hour below the speed limit. By driving slower, you can also assess where rocks may be coming from before they hit your vehicle.

2. Don’t Tailgate

Tailgating a vehicle is not only unsafe and annoying to other drivers, but it also increases the risk that your windshield will be damaged by rocks and debris. If a vehicle you’re tailgating kicks up rocks on the roadway, it’s likely that it will hit your vehicle before it has a chance to reduce its speed. If you weren’t tailgating a vehicle that was kicking up rocks, then the rocks would first be allowed to hit the ground first and then rest on the ground completely.

3. Avoid Construction

Construction sites are notorious for debris and rocks. This is because construction workers and heavy vehicles are digging up rocks and then moving them around when entering and leaving the construction site. Orange cones and barrels seek to limit high-risk and safety areas of the construction site, but can’t possibly control the rocks and debris that exit the construction site.

Do your best to avoid construction sites. This may not always be possible, but it’s likely that another route does exist. If you must drive through a construction zone make sure to keep distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

Drive slow as well to ensure the safety of your vehicle’s windshield and of the construction workers on site. Hefty fines, tickets, and potential legal trouble should also deter you from driving too fast in a construction zone.

4. Take the Scenic Route

Highways are a great way to get somewhere quick, but if you have a short distance to go, take the scenic route. Highways are high traffic areas and many rock chips occur on these roadways. High speeds also contribute to rock chips hitting your windshield.

5. Steer Clear of Semi’s

Semi’s and large trucks have more tires, which means more chances for a rock to go flying through the air and onto your windshield. Semi’s and large trucks should also always have mud flaps to reduce this risk, but this isn’t always the case. When in doubt and able, steer clear of a semi. Avoid driving behind a semi and especially anywhere close to them.

If you can travel in another lane and get in front of them to avoid any problems that could arise. Even traveling beside a semi could be dangerous to your windshield, so always attempt to be in front of them. If you must travel behind a semi make sure to keep a safe distance and drive at slower speeds.

Need Your Windshield Replaced?

We as Greenshield Mania LTD, with experience as drivers, we know to expect the unexpected. But when we prepare in advance for obstacles, we feel more confident and at peace knowing that we did our best to keep our investments and ourselves safe. By following the tips outlined above, risks to your windshield such as cracks and chips can be avoided or at least reduced.