The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has raised concerns about the potential safety risks associated with windscreen replacements on vehicles equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
ADAS technology includes important safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warnings. Many of these systems rely on cameras mounted behind the vehicle’s windscreen.
What many motorists don’t realise is that replacing a windscreen can affect the alignment of these cameras, potentially compromising the effectiveness of the vehicle’s safety systems.
According to the AA, failure to recalibrate ADAS cameras correctly after a windscreen replacement can result in inaccurate warnings, systems failing to activate when needed, or safety features responding incorrectly. Even a small misalignment can have serious consequences, particularly at highway speeds.
More concerning is that a vehicle’s diagnostic system may not necessarily identify an incorrectly calibrated camera. This means drivers could be unaware that important safety features are no longer functioning as intended.
The AA is therefore urging motorists to ensure that ADAS recalibration is carried out correctly, in accordance with vehicle manufacturer specifications, whenever required following a windscreen replacement.
The importance of specialist windscreen fitment – As vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, windscreen replacement is no longer simply about fitting new glass. It requires specialist technical knowledge, appropriate equipment and properly trained technicians.
My Glass recognises the importance of this technology and the critical role that correct windscreen fitment and ADAS recalibration play in vehicle safety. Through its specialist expertise and trained fitment technicians, My Glass is equipped to ensure that windscreen replacements and the necessary ADAS recalibration are performed according to vehicle manufacturer specifications, helping restore the correct functioning of these important safety systems.
For motorists, insurers and brokers, the message is clear: choosing a qualified windscreen replacement provider is about more than the quality of the glass or the convenience of the service. It is also about ensuring that the vehicle’s safety technology continues to function as intended.
A windscreen replacement should never compromise the safety systems designed to protect drivers, passengers and other road users.
This article was originally published on cover.co.za.