'Flying stone season' well under way in Latvia

Insurers indicated that four to five thousand claims are filed for damaged windshields every year.

The head of the Latvian Insurers Association, Jānis Abāšins, said: "These are only those who apply to insurers. These are those who have CASCO insurance. The conclusion is that if an insurer has 4,000–5,000, then in total across Latvia those are 10,000–15,000 cases per year. The average amount for insurers is around 400 euros. If we multiply 400 by 5,000, then it costs insurers around two million per year."

The Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) explained that vehicles with damaged windshields are relatively rare during technical inspections. Such defects account for only about one percent of all detected damages.

CSDD representative Mārtiņš Mālmeisters emphasized: "Damage that is detected during a technical inspection on the windshield is assessed quite scrupulously. They are determined to be among the most significant if serious defects are detected on the driver's side of the windshield itself. The defect cannot be larger than five millimeters. If it is detected, then it is assessed with a second assessment [i.e. it will need to come back when it has been fixed]."

This means that it is impossible to pass a technical inspection with anything more than very minor damage to the glass.

Often, such damage can be repaired without replacing the entire windscreen. In such a case, it is important to react in a timely manner, preventing dust from accumulating in the damaged area and forming a spider web that can spread over the glass over time.

Abāšins said: "If the stone chip was not exactly at eye level, then one solution is to seal the area with transparent tape and then go and have the window repaired at a glass repair company." 

Specialists pointed out that the windshield damage season in Latvia usually begins in March, reaching its peak in August.

"There are the most road repairs in August. During road repair sections, windows are damaged and broken," said Abašins.

Given that road repairs often use technology that sets small stones onto the roadway, it is especially important for drivers to observe speed limits. Otherwise, loose stones can be thrown into the air and cause damage to both oncoming and following vehicles.