School Zones Are Back: Check Your Windscreen For Clear Driving Vision

2022 is well underway now, and February marks the long-awaited return to school for students across the country.

While each Australian state and territory has their own timeline for getting students back into the classroom, these return to school dates inevitably coincides with the return of school speed zones, too.

School and pick-up times are considered one of the most dangerous times on the road for Australians, according to AAMI Crash Index. So, with kids around the nation heading back to face-to-face learning, this is an important reminder to stay safe on our roads, especially around schools and areas with high levels of pedestrian traffic.

Pedestrian safety around our schools

Drivers know that busy, heavy traffic areas require high concentration levels when behind the wheel. This is especially so around schools, with more students, teachers and parents crossing roads when walking in and out of their school. That’s why the road rules have reduced speed limits in school zones.

Make sure you check your relevant State Government website to familiarise yourself with the rules applicable to your local area.

We also have a few tips to help you maximise your visibility during these busy times.

Maintain your windscreen for optimum visibility

Almost every decision made while driving is based on what you can see through your windscreen, so it’s important to ensure that it’s well looked after and any damage repaired soon after it happens.

1. Repair windscreen chips quickly

A windscreen chip could turn into a crack at any time, often when you are least expecting it. So it’s important that if you notice a chip in your windscreen that you get it repaired. It could also save you time and money in the long run.

O'Brien^® technicians always prefer to repair a chipped windscreen rather than replace it. So if the chip in your windscreen meets our below criteria, contact the experts at O'Brien^® to see if we can help fix that chip:
• The chip is at least 5cm from the windscreen’s edge
• If the chip (including all off-shooting cracks) is smaller than a 5 cent coin if in front of the driver critical vision area
• The chip (including all off-shooting cracks) is smaller than a $1 coin if in front of the passenger side

For more information, check out the 3 most important reasons to get that windscreen chip fixed before it cracks.

2. Replace a cracked windscreen

If your windscreen is cracked O'Brien^® recommend replacing it. It takes just 90mins to replace a windscreen and, depending on the type of car you own, we could even come to you.

We recommend replacing your windscreen if on the driver’s side:

• There is a chip larger than an Australian $1 coin
• A crack extending more than 25mm length into the critical vision area
• There is any damage obstructing the driver’s line of sight

There may be some other reasons why we recommend replacing your windscreen and we can advise on this once we’ve done an inspection.

3. Maintain your windscreen wipers

Well-maintained windscreen wipers help in adverse conditions, such as rain, to provide a clear view of the road and surroundings. Keeping your wipers in good working order means you can rely on them when you need them most.

Refer to 5 ways to maintain your windscreen wipers if you’d like more information.

Regularly cleaning your windscreen and wipers with a non-abrasive cleaning liquid and a microfibre cloth can also help to prolong their life.

So whether you’re driving through school zones, battling heavy rain or contending with busy traffic, the tips above will help keep your windscreen clear and give yourself the best chance for that optimal visibility while driving.

O'Brien^® AutoGlass can help

At O'Brien^® AutoGlass, our expert technicians can help with everything from a small chip repair to a full windscreen replacement and even side and rear vehicle glass window replacements.

For more information about our services call us on 1800 059 829 or book online. And, with over 95+ years servicing Australians, our experts certainly know how to get you back on the road fast. It’s easy!