Vehicle glass replacement specialists Autoglass are lobbying the government, asking it to set new safety standards for windscreens. It is also looking for support from motor insurers for its campaign to raise awareness of the importance of windscreens as a safety feature.
Autoglass is calling for the government to introduce formal standards and a watchdog body to regulate the windscreen replacement industry in a bid to protect motorists' safety.
It is also is lobbying the Health and Safety Executive to implement a recognised register of windscreen fitting technicians.
The company is also launching a national campaign to raise awareness of the importance of windscreens.
Autoglass says the windscreen provides up to 30% of a car's structural strength and is also important for air bags to work - many only work in conjunction with a correctly installed windscreen.
Managing director Ian Carlisle commented: "Our research has shown that many people are unaware of the importance of windscreens to car occupants' safety, this also includes many people within the windscreen replacement and motor insurance sectors."
"We believe that insurers can begin to influence standards now on behalf of their policyholders without waiting for formal standards to be introduced," he added.
