Car maintenance is your responsibility. Yes, it can be expensive and time consuming, but the investment you make today will save you money and possibly injury in the future.

Unfortunately, traffic accidents happen. This is a reality whether you are a driver, passenger or pedestrian. There are numerous factors at play on the roads, and injury and the loss of human life can often be prevented.

The windscreen is often a neglected component of the vehicle. The windscreen is much more important than a mere piece of glass between you and other road users. The safety needs stretch far beyond the obvious requirement of visibility for the driver! In today’s vehicles, the windscreen is an important component of the vehicle’s overall structural integrity – it is designed to add strength to the car (like a door pillar). When designed in compliance with the car manufacturer’s original specifications the windscreen will help prevent the roof from collapsing in a rollover accident.

Check the following before hitting the road:
1. Check the windscreen
A clean and chip-free windscreen is essential. A dirty, bug-splattered windscreen is a safety hazard, as it obscures your view of the road. This is especially important after an extended drive on the highway when your windscreen is littered with insect carcasses. Make use of a car-washing fluid and windscreen wipers to remove them.

Arrive Alive urges drivers to always check/ inspect their vehicle before going on a trip.

2. Check tyre pressure
Tyre pressure can affect your car’s handling, turning, braking and fuel efficiency. A tyre or tyres at the wrong pressure will wear out faster and can put your safety and that of others at risk.

3. Check the oil level and top up as needed
You should check your car’s oil level at least once a month to make sure that there’s enough oil and that it isn’t contaminated. Oil reduces the friction in your engine and keeps it running smoothly.

Make sure you always adhere to the law when driving on the road. If you notice a chip or crack on your windscreen, be sure to contact PG Glass on 0860 03 03 03 today for more information regarding a PG Glass Medic® Chip Repair or windscreen replacement. Better safe than sorry!

The automotive industry, in particular, is experiencing a massive amount of change. Many believe that driverless cars are inevitable in our automotive future, although the technology looks to be quite far off. The driving force for this technology is propelled by projections of safer travel with less road deaths and injuries; most vehicles are now being manufactured with ADAS (Advance Driver Assistance Systems), installed in the vehicle.

Insurers are observing within interest at how the new technologies could potentially reduce premiums when safety benefits are proven. To date, the focus of telematics solutions has been on improving the risk profile of drivers, particularly the young and inexperienced.

Windscreen technology is showing real promise in the area of night vision. That would revolutionise the industry, and it’s something people would be willing to pay an incremental cost for in order to gain that capability.

Currently in South Africa with the new technology there are certain cars that know where they are going and how to get there. Technology package for some vehicle that comes with Heads Up Display that can project the following in the vehicle and driving-related information depending on the model of the vehicle:

• Road Speed
• Speed Limits
• Overtaking Restrictions
• Check Control messages
• Vehicle Status
• Warning Messages
• Navigational Turn-By-Turn Directions
• Telephone and Call Information
• Lane Guiding

Safety technologies are constantly evolving. There are several studies that found various safety technologies including forward collision avoidance, adaptive headlights and park distance control could lead to a 30% decline in claim frequency. Further research also showed a 44% drop in insurance claim frequency in cars fitted with collision avoidance systems.

Applications which use smart phone technology to record a motorist’s driving style covering their acceleration, braking and cornering – to calculate personalised discounts are also making their mark on the evolution of the automotive market. Some insurers even go so far as to incentivise good driving with cash-back; another reason for drivers to adhere to the rules of the road and practice safe driving.

However, telematics are about to get even more exciting as insurers look to capture more data not only to inform decisions on insurance premiums, but also to target individual drivers with additional services and encourage customer loyalty. Breakdown assistance has long been an additional feature offered by insurers, but more sophisticated telematics systems will be able to offer immediate intervention on claims, or show on nearby petrol stations or favourite coffee shops. Even more importantly insurers are notified when there has been an accident and can send emergency vehicle to aid drivers based on locational information – this introduces the safety element of telematics.

Many insurers are already upgrading their legacy IT systems to be able to support more real time digital interactions with customers on devices like smartphones and tablets, to offer a streamlined, user-friendly and ‘connected’ experience. In years to come the infrastructure will exist to gather and analyse real-time data from integrated Smart Windscreens acting as the digital hub of the vehicle.

One of the main concerns for insurers is the extent to which such technologies might be a distraction to drivers. When it comes to technology in a car there are multiple points of distractions, from mobile phones to satellite navigation. So, the key for future innovation will be rooted in the ability of car glasstechnologies to keep the driver’s eyes on the road.

From insurance to automotive glass the evolution of cars means a revolution for the automotive industry. So, watch this space and stay in touch with PG Glass for more updates on the auto glass industry. We at PG Glass believe in saving you money by repairing before replacing windscreens, this has resulted in us saving the insurance industry over R100 million in three years.

For more information, contact PG Glass on 0860 03 03 03 to a get a windscreen repair or replacement quote. Remember, we at PG Glass believe in making a difference by solving glass problems with REAL care.

In most cases, we as humans tend to rush to the decision of replacing things, which may be repairable instead of taking the time to assess the damage and opting to rather repair. Now I know what you are thinking, “is it not better to just replace something instead of repairing it? What if the repair doesn’t work? Will I have to repair this one thing over and over again?” and in most cases you would be right, replacing would be better than repairing, but if you were to give us 30 minutes of your time we can show you how convenient, affordable and time efficient it is to repair before replace. At PG Glass we assure you that we will save you both time and money by repairing that chip on your windscreen before replacing it with a new one, in under 30 minutes.

Let us take a moment and imagine a scenario where a couple of your mates and you plan on hitting the open road for that long overdue holiday. The accommodation is booked, new clothes bought and now there is the discussion of whose vehicle will be used throughout the trip. All the pro’s and con’s are discussed and to your immediate discomfort your vehicle gets the honour of driving the whole squad, leaving you with the dilemma of having to drive your beautiful vehicle; which happens to have an unfortunate chip on its windscreen, which can crack once you hit those bumpy roads or come across extreme hot or cold temperature.

At this point you feel your stomach twist and turn; the fun road trip has now turned into your worst nightmare, but don’t worry as this is where we at PG Glass step in. At PG Glass we will always try to repair before replacing your windscreen, as we are fully committed to saving YOU both time and money because we understand that life is hard enough as it is and you definitely need one less thing to worry about. How, you ask? Well, let us share the benefits of the PG Glass Medic® Chip Repair for both you and your trusted vehicle.

We understand that your vehicle has been nothing but good to you, it has been with you through rain and sunshine and it is very close to your heart. That is why with the PG Glass Medic® Chip Repair technology we are able to restore your vehicle’s windscreen to its 100% original strength and integrity. You are probably now thinking “okay this is all amazing”. We only need (+/-) 30 minutes of your time to repair that chip on your windscreen, thereafter you will have peace of mind knowing that your mates and your safety is secured and your vehicle’s windscreen back to its original strength and integrity.

So visit any PG Glass Fitment Centre today as our Technicians are standing by to repair your day or contact us on 0860 03 03 03 or www.pgglass.co.za to request a quote today!

New technology always changes our lives in a manner that takes it to a greater new level. It is like the new way of thinking that makes us wonder and think of new possibilities. Even windscreens have entered a new technological era. When thinking about windscreens think PG Glass.

Smart windscreens will start becoming an in-car entertainment and communication zone as the driverless car becomes a reality in the 2020s. With the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), motorists will soon be able to sit back and relax on long journeys as their car drives itself – free from the need to concentrate on the road ahead. The way technology is evolving; our windscreens will become the portal through which we browse the internet, chat to friends on social media or watch films. This will be like sitting at home tuned into your favourite show, or watching our PG Glass repair, PG Glass replace TV ads.

Car design will change radically as smart windscreens become devices for vehicles to communicate with each other while their drivers relax inside.

Windscreen technology is showing real promise in the area of night vision. This would transform the industry, by using advanced Nanotechnology called Nanophosphors. The new technology will enable an entire windscreen to act as an electronic display screen, without affecting the driver’s ability to see through the window. Furthermore, it would highlight lane marking warning the driver about collisions and even displaying navigational arrows on the pavement.

“Vehicle manufacturers are more likely to use more glass in future as it is lighter than metal alongside more use of composite materials like carbon fibre.” Dr Chris Davies, Head of Technical Research and Innovation, Belron®.

Ultimately, there is no doubt that the demands of speedy development and utility will spell disruption for car manufacturers. This brings us to question whether the existing seven to eight-year development cycle for a new vehicle model is fast enough for future technology and future motorist.

So, what does this mean for the industry? All the signs point to evolution rather than a revolution. Where third party providers, smartphone companies and app developers will work together with windscreen installers and suppliers to offer the customer the latest technology without having to wait for the purchase of a new car to get it.

Industry experts seem to agree that the arrival of a fully autonomous car is pretty far from reality and yet the emergence of the self-driving vehicle appears to be more likely than many doubters believe. Automotive glass services are one area where we are already seeing rapid technological changes. Visit any PG Glass Fitment Centres and ask about our latest technologies for windscreen repair or windscreens replacement to ensure the safety of motorists.

How will these technologies benefit drivers? And how will vehicle glass repair and replacement specialists, such as PG Glass insurers, the fleet and lease industry respond to these changes?

It seems in the future the possibilities are endless.

Contact PG Glass on 0860 03 03 03 to a get a windscreen repair or replacement quote. Remember to ask about current windscreen promotions.