The biggest single danger to any driver is being unable to see properly. You won’t be able to make the right decisions if you can’t see the road clearly.

Always keep your windscreen, mirrors and windows clean and clear.

Wipers and washers

Make sure your wiper blades are effective.

Make sure washers are working and keep the reservoir filled. Use an additive, as it helps

to prevent freezing in winter
to clear dead insects and smears off the windscreen in summer.

Misting up

Misting up of the mirror and glass inside the car affects your ability to see.

Even on a summer’s day a sudden shower can make the glass mist up inside.

Keep a dry cloth handy to clean all inside glass.
Wipe the windows dry before you set out.
Use your demisters. If your car has a heated windscreen, use it early. Also, use your heated rear window to maintain your rear vision.
Open your windows to clear mist, if necessary.
If your car is fitted with air conditioning, this can assist with clearing windows.

Read your vehicle handbook and follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for effective heating and ventilation.

Many anti-mist and anti-frost accessories are available, including

liquid for keeping glass clear
de-icers
prepared cloths
electrically heated glass.

Warm, dry air works best, is by far the cheapest and is usually in plentiful supply once the engine has warmed up.

However, when you start from cold you won’t be able to create warm air, so use a dry cloth or a chamois leather. If you have a passenger, ask them to help keep side windows clear – this is essential when manoeuvring.

In icy weather

If the weather is particularly icy, your windows and windscreen can freeze over.

You could cover your windscreen overnight to prevent ice forming on it. If ice has formed, you can use de-icer or a scraper to remove most of it. Before setting out, give yourself plenty of time to clear the windscreen. Wait until your demister and heater are working well enough to keep the whole of the windscreen and rear window clear.

Take care not to damage wiper blades, which may have frozen onto the windscreen or rear window. Never use boiling water to clear the windscreen; you could break the glass. Use water that’s barely lukewarm or even cold – this is still warmer than ice and will start the defrosting process.

In rain

Use dipped headlights in poor visibility (such as rain, drizzle, mist, or very poor light) so that other drivers can see you.

Rain can drastically reduce your view through the windscreen and windows and in the outside driving mirrors.

Keeping your windscreen clean prevents smears and streaks that can reduce your vision. Always keep the washer bottle topped up and use a screen-wash additive.

Keep your speed down in very wet weather. Some windscreen wipers struggle to cope with very heavy rain.

In bad weather, clean your windscreen, windows, indicators and lights as often as necessary.

REMEMBER, whatever the weather, don’t drive unless you can see properly all around.

Previous Module

Back to Module

Next Lesson