Asger Risom
As winter driving conditions set in, motorists are being warned that poor windscreen visibility can be just as dangerous as icy roads.
As winter driving conditions set in, motorists are being warned that poor windscreen visibility can be just as dangerous as icy roads. Low sun angles, heavier rain and rising condensation inside cars all combine to increase glare — a factor linked to slower reaction times and higher collision risk.
Against that backdrop, drivers have been sharing advice online about how to keep windscreens clear without leaving distracting streaks.
Why clarity matters
During winter months, the sun sits lower in the sky, meaning even minor smears on glass can scatter light directly into a driver’s line of sight. This can reduce contrast, obscure hazards and make it harder to judge distances, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Road safety experts consistently stress that visibility issues are not just an inconvenience. Driving with impaired vision can lead to penalties for careless driving, and in serious cases contribute to accidents. That makes effective windscreen cleaning a practical safety issue, not just a cosmetic one.
A recurring problem
Many drivers report that clearing condensation or grime from the inside of the windscreen often makes matters worse. Wiping with paper towels or standard glass sprays can leave residue that becomes painfully obvious in bright, low-angle sunlight.
That frustration often resurfaces on Reddit’s “Driving UK” forum, where one motorist asked for advice after trying multiple products and tools without success. They said everything they used left marks that reflected light and made driving uncomfortable.
What drivers recommend
Further down the discussion, numerous users pointed to a specific product: Invisible Glass. The cleaner, which typically costs under £10, was repeatedly described as leaving fewer streaks than household alternatives.
One user wrote: “Invisible Glass totally gets rid of those smears you see with a low sun,” adding that using a microfibre cloth was key. Others echoed the advice, saying it performed noticeably better than standard window sprays.
Technique over products
Several motorists noted that how you clean matters as much as what you use. Microfibre cloths were widely recommended because their dense synthetic fibres lift and trap dirt instead of spreading it across the glass.
They also absorb moisture efficiently, helping reduce water marks, and produce less lint than paper towels. Some drivers suggested buffing the glass after cleaning, with one recommending newspaper as a final step once the surface is already clean.
While preferences vary, the discussion highlights a broader point: as winter glare increases, small improvements in windscreen clarity can make a meaningful difference to safety behind the wheel.
Sources: Reddit
