cracked windscreen - is it legal?

[Maz]

My car has a cracked windscreen on the passenger side. Must be about a foot long - hailstorm damage this afternoon. It doesnt seem to be in the field of view of the driver. But has anyone seen any website on what is or is not legal w.r.t. cracked windscreens and the position of the crack?

Thanks

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

It's illegal if the crack is anywhere in the area swept by the wipers. That sounds far too big for a resin repair so it's a new one I'm afraid.

 

[alicat]

Think it's a fail if it is more than 40mm long anywhere on the windscreen if the info here is correct.

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_830.htm

 

[Arch]

Blimey, that must have been some hailstorm!

 

[mr messy]

Probably had existing damage....

 

[Maz]

Blimey, that must have been some hailstorm!

was hailing on the ride home...had to stop twice just to relieve the pain!

 

[Maz]

Think it's a fail if it is more than 40mm long anywhere on the windscreen if the info here is correct.

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_830.htm

Hmm, that website would suggest that it's a failure if it's >40mm in Zone A (Zone 'A is:. in the swept area of the Windscreen . 290mm wide . centred on the centre of the steering wheel.)

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Hmm, that website would suggest that it's a failure if it's >40mm in Zone A (Zone 'A is:. in the swept area of the Windscreen . 290mm wide . centred on the centre of the steering wheel.)

AA website clarifies
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/windscreen-vision-safety.html

Elsewhere on the windscreen – damage larger than 40mm across will normally result in failure.

 

[ufkacbln]

Forgetting legality for a moment...

If a small defect developed into this large a crack in a hailstorm, imagine what will happen if it gets hit by a piece of road debris, or a stone from a lorry?

It is probably worth replacing from a safety point of view

 

[Arch]

Forgetting legality for a moment...

If a small defect developed into this large a crack in a hailstorm, imagine what will happen if it gets hit by a piece of road debris, or a stone from a lorry?

It is probably worth replacing from a safety point of view

This. I've been driving a vehicle when the windscreen shattered, and it's not fun!

(A small lorry, in the middle lane of five at the junction of the M1 and M62. I was left with a small pebble sized hole I could see through. Fortunately, the lanes to the left were relatively clear, and I could still see in the mirrors ok, so I made it across to the hard shoulder, where I pulled up, and sat holding the steering wheel tightly, while my passengers said a lot of lively 4 letter words. We think a chip of stone or concrete had come off the back of a dump truck driving in front of us).

 

[Maz]

Forgetting legality for a moment...

If a small defect developed into this large a crack in a hailstorm, imagine what will happen if it gets hit by a piece of road debris, or a stone from a lorry?

It is probably worth replacing from a safety point of view

I should clarify, I will be replacing it. I wasn't sure if it was legal to drive before it got repaired.

 

[fossyant]

Dont drive, not worth the added fine if you get stopped.

 

[addictfreak]

Doesn't need to be struck by anything for damage to spread, extremes of temperature or body work flexing will spread the crack.
If its possible to repair (doubtful given your description) it's normally free. If it needs to be replaced there's normally around a 50 quid excess.