Auto Windscreens has warned Lincolnshire parents of the potentially fatal consequences of bored kids on footbridges and flyovers as stones, house bricks, paving slabs and even a bike have been hurled onto unsuspecting motorists.

The automotive glazing repair specialist has noted an increase in calls to their contact centre since the start of the school holidays, with many motorists requiring windscreen replacement after vehicles have been struck by missiles thrown by youngsters from bridges. Auto Windscreens Sales and Marketing Director said,”While a laminated windscreen can withstand the impact from a small stone, missiles such as bricks and breeze blocks are a totally different matter. They can have fatal consequences, not only for the driver of a vehicle but other road users. Children need to be made aware of the dangers of these seemingly innocent games before a tragedy happens”.

A boy was recently arrested in Kent in July for the manslaughter of a truck passenger after a stone was thrown from a bridge overlooking the A20. And in June, earlier this year on the M1 near Luton, the windscreens of at least eight drivers (including an ambulance) have been struck by bricks and stones hurled by youngsters off motorway bridges.

Medical research by the Health Protection Agency has found that windscreen wiper water may the cause of 20% of Legionnaires’ disease in England and Wales. The current dry weather is also the perfect recipe for the potentially lethal Legionella bacterium which thrive in warm water systems. Legionnaires’ disease is an uncommon form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium.

Auto Windscreens, the automotive glazing repair and replacement company, has advised drivers to spend £3 and use a purpose-made screen wash which contains agents to stop the growth of the deadly bacteria and also cleans your windscreen more effectively.

Auto Windscreens factory

Automotive glazing companies are finding a shortage of windscreens, following the worst winter in the UK for nearly 30 years. Auto Windscreens has found that many vehicle owners are having to wait for replacement parts, particularly for the Vauxhall Zafira, Astra, Vectra, Volkswagen Passat, Golf and the Audi A4.

As a result Auto Windscreens has increased production by more than 40% at its own factory in Chesterfield, to cope with this demand and is now producing 600 windscreens a day. Nigel Davies, Auto Windscreens Sales and Marketing Director commented,”It’s unusual to have a national shortage of windscreens and we’ve certainly not come across this before. Auto Windscreens is in the fortunate and unique position, however, that we can simply add another shift at our factory and increase popular windscreen models to meet demand and manage the delays”.

Auto Windscreens

Auto Windscreens, the UK’s automotive glass repair company, has found that the introduction of tints, heating, solar reflection and GPS technology into the windscreens of modern cars, has led to windscreen replacement costs increasing. The research has shown that costs have increased as much as 68% in only 10 years and larger windscreens are more susceptible to stone chips as well.

For example the windscreen of a Citroen C4 Picasso has 20% more glass than the old model, a Volkswagen Golf has 68% more glass, a Ford Mondeo 59% and a BMW 5 Series by 50%.

Glass replacement is not usually covered under a maintained vehicle leasing contract and therefore this cost has got to be borne by you, the Company. Many insurance policies cover glass replacement  but the knock-on effect is that car insurance premiums may increase as a result. In fact the findings have shown that the price of car insurance has risen by 4.3% during the first quarter of 2010.

Auto Windscreens recommends that drivers should look after their windscreens by following a few simple action points:

1. Make sure you get any chips repaired as soon as possible before they crack.
2. It is best to replace wiper blades every six months, to avoid the blades scratching the windscreen. If you lease your car on a maintenance contract however, you have to get the leasing company to approve this, otherwise you will have to pay yourself.
3. Top up your liquid windscreen washer bottle using screen wash (and not washing up liquid). Washing up liquid could damage your windscreen and leave a film across the glass.
4. Always use a proper ice scraper and not anything else i.e. a credit card, as you can damage your windscreen.
5. Finally, never pour boiling water onto an icy screen as it could crack.

Auto Windscreens

Auto Windscreens, the 24/7 automotive glazing services company, has been awarded a two year sole supplier contract by Alphabet (GB) Ltd, part of the BMW Group. Auto Windscreens will supply a national mobile service and repair facility to Alphabet’s 44,000 vehicle fleet. 

Mark Sinclair, Director of Alphabet, commented,”Alphabet believes in working in partnership with our suppliers to give the best value and quality of service to our customers. Auto Windscreens listened to our unique requirements and demonstrated a high degree of flexibility in their approach”. Glass replacement is not normally included in a “with maintenance contract hire” agreement, but is usually covered under your insurance cover. However it is worth checking this with your own insurance provider.

One positive piece of news from the atrocious weather conditions in the UK, is the surge in online bookings for products and services with Auto Windscreens, the automotive glazing services company, reporting a 700% increase in online bookings.

Nigel Davies, Sales and Marketing Director said,”Our research has shown that people choosing to work remotely during this terrible weather are using the opportunity, while being online, to visit Auto Windscreens’ website and book a job through it rather than pick up the phone”.

Auto Windscreens provides a 24/7/365 days a year nationwide automotive glass repair and replacement service and you can book online at www.autowindscreens.co.uk or by calling 0800 999 8000.

Auto Windscreens, the automotive glazing service provider, has announced that its owner ARQUES Industries AG has sold its stake in the company to a new majority shareholder. MOGUNITA invest GmbH, controlled by Christian Daumann, will now lead the Company as the majority shareholder.

The existing Managing Director of Auto Windscreens, Peter Fox, will stay on as will all the existing management structures and it’s business as usual. Established in 1971, Auto Windscreens operates a 94-strong fitting centre network with a fleet of more than 600 mobile units and is a major supplier to many of the contract hire leasing companies as well as private customers.