If your vehicle doesn’t have good rear windshield visibility, you’re putting yourself, other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians at risk. Your rear windshield allows you to see what’s behind you so that you can safely pass, change lanes and turn in Sarasota, FL. Read on to learn about the reasons why rear windshield visibility is important.
Monitor Who’s Behind You
When driving, it’s important to keep track of who’s behind you. You won’t know if you’re being tailgated if you can’t see out of your rear windshield. If your rear windshield is obscured, cracked, or damaged in some other way, you might miss an emergency vehicle that’s coming up behind your vehicle. Failing to move out of the way of an emergency vehicle could result in large fines and points on your driver’s license.
Look Before Passing
Before changing lanes or passing a slow driver, you need to make sure the driver behind you isn’t already in process of doing the same thing. Safe passing and lane changes require looking behind you and to the right and left sides of your vehicle. You may also want to keep track of how close the driver behind you is to your vehicle. If it’s clear that they’re too close, you can move into the slow lane and allow them to pass.
Keep Track of Cyclists and Pedestrians
According to the World Health Organization, up to 65% of automobile-cyclist accidents are related to lack of visibility, including poor rear windshield visibility. In many urban areas, cyclists and pedestrians are out at all hours of the day and night. Good rear windshield visibility helps you see them before you change lanes, turn or back into a parking space.
Keeping your windshield wipers in good condition, filling the windshield wiper fluid and arranging for prompt repairs of cracks are key to maintaining visibility. To learn more about rear windshield visibility, take a look at Mr. Auto Glass’s repair services, or contact our auto glass repair experts today.