Car windshield wipers are generally out of sight, which often makes them also out of mind. Most drivers don’t give much thought to the wipers. But are wipers really as unimportant as some car owners seem to believe, and can you drive without them? We look into these questions and more in this article.
It’s illegal to drive without a wiper in many countries due to the importance of wipers in improving visibility in bad weather conditions.
Wipers, especially windshield wipers, should never be seen as unimportant components. Most times, a light drizzle or dust is all that is needed to make drivers appreciate wipers. Below, we’ll discuss the safety importance of wipers and the legislation surrounding them.
How Important Are Car Wipers?
Windshield wipers can be referred to as a small but mighty component of a vehicle. They play a crucial role in the overall driving experience and safety of car owners. The windshield wipers, as their name implies, will wipe or remove dust/dirt, snow, frost, pollen, and other debris effectively and efficiently from the windshield at the push of a button.
By removing any material that may come in contact with the windshield, wipers improve the driver’s visibility which is one of the most important aspects of driving. Windshield wipers come equipped with a motor that moves the wiper arms back and forth across the windshield, thereby improving visibility.
Can You Drive Without Windshield Wipers?
Considering how important wipers are, common sense dictates that you shouldn’t drive without them. But if that’s not enough to convince you, then perhaps the legislation in your area might convince you.
In most countries, it’s illegal to drive without operational windshield wipers. So, if you are thinking of removing your windscreen, think twice before you do so as you’ll be breaking the law.
While the exact laws about wipers may vary among Countries and even within States in the same country, the general idea about them remains the same. Below is a general template for laws about windshield wipers.
- Every motor vehicle with a windshield must have a windshield wiper.
- The wipers should be operational and in good condition.
- The wipers should be able to operate at all speeds.
- The wipers should be in the correct “off” position when not in use. This means the wipers should be out of sight at the bottom of the windshield.
- The windshield wiper system should be automatic and operable by the driver from the standard driving position.
Regulations about wipers mostly apply to windshield wipers as they are key to maintaining good visibility in bad weather or driving conditions. You may not give much thought to your wipers when it is bright and sunny. But when the weather takes a turn, and it begins to pour, you’ll start to appreciate what the wiper does.
Wipers Are Checked During MOT Test
In the United Kingdom, vehicles over three years old are required by law to pass a yearly Ministry of Transport (MOT) test to verify that the vehicle is still in good condition and roadworthy. Several components of vehicles are checked during the MOT test, from the brakes to the lights, fuel system, exhaust system, windshield wipers, and so on. Many people have failed the MOT test just for having bad wipers. So, this should tell you how important windshield wipers are.
MOT test aside, if you are caught driving with a faulty wiper, you may be fined up to £50 in the UK, and that’s if you are lucky. If Lady Luck isn’t smiling at you, the police might decide to charge you with dangerous driving and issue you a £100. If the case gets to court, you might pay as much as £5,000.
Regularly Maintaining Windshield Wiper Blades
Given the importance of wipers in keeping you and other road users safe, it’s important that you have routine maintenance for them. During the maintenance, you or your mechanic should inspect the wipers and ensure all components are in good working condition. This will reveal whether the wipers need to be repaired or replaced.
As a rule of thumb, you should replace your wiper blades every six months to a year, depending on how often you use them. Doing this will guarantee your wipers are always in good condition and ready to wipe your windshield to improve your safety on the road.
Remember to make sure your windshield is completely wet before activating the wiper blades. If it’s not raining and you want to remove dust or dirt from your windshield, release the windshield wiper fluid to wet the windshield before running the wipers.
It’s also important you become familiar with your automobile’s wiper setting before driving in the rain. It can get distracting or even frustrating to try to figure out how the wipers work when it is raining.
How To Clean Windshield Wipers?
If you want your wipers to last longer, you have to clean them. Cleaning your wipers should be part of your routine maintenance. It’s generally easy to clean a vehicle’s wipers, as all you need is soapy water and clean rags to remove dirt and dust. Rubbing alcohol can also be used to remove any lingering oil or dirt after applying soapy water.
Tips For Driving Safely In The Rain
Driving in the rain is always potentially dangerous and stressful, regardless of whether it’s a light drizzle or a heavy downpour. So, you need to be prepared for rainy days as a car owner, and an important aspect of this preparation involves having functional wipers. Also, your tires should also be in good condition, as there is less friction when the road is wet. This makes it easier to lose control of vehicles with bad tires.
Always turn your headlights on when it is raining. This improves your visibility and that of other road users. It might even be a legal requirement to drive with headlights on when it is raining in your State or country.
Finally, don’t use cruise control when it is raining. The setting should only be used when you are on open roads, and there is no traffic. The road should also be dry before you use cruise control.
