New Windscreens For Greater Safety

Press, Volume C, Issue 29535, 9 June 1961, Page 11

New Windscreens For Greater Safety

A MAJOR contribution to road safety is now appearing in the form of a new type of toughened glass windscreen. Manufactured by the British firm of Triplex, the new windscreen shatters into a wyriad of cubes when struck by a stone, but a small panel of resistant glass in front of the driver’s eyes remains clear. In the past, serious accidents have occurred when the driver of a car travelling at high speed has been suddenly blinded by his whole windscreen becoming opaque.

Laminated windscreens, which are not in general use in mass-production cars, crack or star with a relatively light blow but leave the driver with sufficient visibility. Its disadvantage is obvious, for if a driver or passenger hits the screen hard enough, it will break and cause the same type of injuries as old-type nonsafety screens. Impact with a toughened glass screen which has become opaque seldom causes anything more than slight scratches—drivers can push a hole in it with a light blow of the fist. Unhealed The small section of glass in front of the driver which does not become opaque in the new screen is unheated in manufacture. Even if a driver is unlucky enough to have the whole of the toughened glass screen fall out (as it can with a severe blow), with all windows closed there is very little discomfort. Air pressure within the car prevents a gale rushing in. ★ Litter Bag.—A motorist's washable litter bag, offered by an oil company to keep picnic spots and highways clean, or for the carriage of picnic food, has proved so popular that the first issue of 100,000 was absorbed in a month following the bag’s appearance over Easter. A repeat order has been given and the bags will be available for distribution by the company’s dealers towards the end of this month.