A chipped windscreen has the potential to make a car illegal to drive, but only if the chip obstructs the driver’s view of the road and their surroundings.
Regulation 204 of the National Road Traffic Act stipulates: “No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle which is not so constructed and maintained as to afford the driver thereof a full and clear view of the roadway ahead and to his or her right and left when the vehicle is in use.”
As such, the size and shape of the crack aren’t of vital importance – unless, of course, it stretches across the bulk of the window – but rather, the location thereof.
So, if your car’s windscreen does have a little imperfection somewhere on the passenger side where it’s out of your peripheral vision, rest assured that you don’t have to run out immediately and get it fixed.
However, if there is one slap bang in front of your eyes when you’re sitting in the driver seat, it would be best to get it patched up before having to smooth talk your way out of a ticket.
Why repairing a cracked windscreen quickly is important
What is considered legal is not always safe, as driving with a cracked windscreen may not go against the law, but it can affect passenger safety in the event of an accident.
“Many drivers may postpone repairs until they have more time or because of financial concerns,” said Eugene Herbert, MasterDrive CEO. “The amount of danger this actually places drivers in is considerable.”
Even small chips or scratches can create glare from sunlight or a “halo effect” from oncoming vehicles, obstructing the driver’s vision and increasing the odds of an accident.
On a more serious note, the windscreen actually contributes to the structural integrity of the vehicle and plays an important part in protecting the cabin if a collision occurs.
“A windscreen provides 34% of a vehicle’s torsional stiffness and dissipates the force in a crash. In an accident, the roof of the vehicle can cave in up to 30% more if you have an improperly installed windscreen or one that is damaged,” said Herbert.
Furthermore, if a sudden and considerable impact occurs, the window reduces the possibility of passengers being ejected from the vehicle and assists the airbags to deploy correctly. A windscreen that is already damaged also has a higher tendency to burst if it’s hit by a solid object.
To lower the risk of avoidable damages, it can be as simple as tending to a crack or chip as and when it appears.
“Additionally, the sooner you attend to chips and minor cracks the more chance there is that the cost of the repair will be much lower as it can be fixed as opposed to replacing the entire windscreen,” said Herbert.
It is also important to ensure that you go to a reputable windscreen fitment centre to do the job.
“Correct installation is essential for the windscreen to have the required structural strength and, consequently, protection should the worst happen. This is not one place that shortcuts can be taken,” said Herbert.
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