The UK’s pothole-ravaged roads have contributed to a 30 per cent jump in windscreen damage this year, according to AA Glass
The UK’s pothole-ravaged roads have contributed to a 30% jump in windscreen damage this year, according to AA Glass.
In addition, a new AA/Populus survey* of 21,510 AA members found more than a third said their car had suffered a chipped (27%) or cracked (10%) windscreen in the last two years.
Eastern England (47%) tops the windscreen hit list, followed by the South-east (43%), while only a quarter of drivers in the North-east and Northern Ireland have suffered windscreen damage.
Dean Hill, AA Glass technician of the year, says: “Heavy traffic on potholed roads is a recipe for stone strikes as loose material gets washed out.
“As well as a nasty bang, flying stones and grit thrown up by other vehicles damages paint, bodywork and lights, as well as ruining windscreens.”
A stone chip on the windscreen may look innocuous but another shock from a stone or hitting a pothole can turn it into a serious crack
Dean Hill, AA Glass Technician of the year
The research also revealed that more than one-in-ten drivers (12%) haven’t had the stone chip damage repaired.
Dean Hill says: “A stone chip on the windscreen may look innocuous but another shock from a stone or hitting a pothole can turn it into a serious crack.
“Chip repairs are normally covered for free under comprehensive insurance but a new screen, which would be essential if it’s cracked, could affect your no-claims bonus, costing you money.”
AA Glass, the AA’s mobile windscreen fitting and glass repair service, offers a market-leading response time of around 40 minutes as AA patrols are now trained in emergency glass repairs.
In February, AA president Edmund King labelled the nation’s roads a “national embarrassment” after reporting that a third of AA members had had their car damaged by a pothole in the last two years.
He says: “The annual shortfall of more than £800 million** in road maintenance budgets has left a legacy of potholed roads and pitted glass with drivers increasingly left to pick up the tab.”
The AA is encouraging road users to report potholes to local authorities to allow them to repair them.
| Region | Damage in last 2 years (%) | |
| 1 | Eastern | 47% |
| 2 | South-east | 43% |
| 3 | East Midlands | 40% |
| 4 | South-west | 38% |
| 5 | West Midlands | 35% |
| 6 | Wales | 31% |
| 7= | London | 30% |
| 7= | Yorkshire and Humberside | 30% |
| 9 | North-west | 29% |
| 10 | Scotland | 28% |
| 11= | North-east | 25% |
| 11= | Northern Ireland | 25% |
| UK average | 37% |
Whether you simply have a chipped windscreen or a smashed window, we can help you. Our advisors are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And our expert technicians can come to you, wherever you are – equipped with the right tools for the job.
(6 May 2013)
* Source: Populus interviewed 21,510 adults aged 18+ on The AA/Populus online panel between 15-19 April 2013. Populus www.populus.co.uk is a founder member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
** Source: Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey 2013:
http://www.asphaltuk.org/alarm-survey.asp
We can repair most small chips rather than replace the whole windscreen. These repairs would normally be free of charge, as your insurance company will often cover the costs. It shouldn't affect your no-claims bonus either.
