More Vacationers Traveling by Car, Summer Storms May Take Toll on Roadways

University of Michigan study shows safety starts with stopping sooner

PITTSBURGH, July 1 -- As millions of Americans prepare to get on the road to their favorite vacation spot, the National Weather Service released figures indicating this year's precipitation levels are currently on track to exceed those of 1990 -- the wettest year on record.

"Driver visibility dramatically decreases during a rainstorm and that creates a dangerous situation," said Paul Recrosio, business manager, PPG Industries, Aquapel(R) Glass Treatment. "There are several ways to improve visibility, including installing new wipers and to have a glass treatment applied to the windshield."

Aquapel Glass Treatment repels rain from auto glass, reduces glare especially in night driving conditions and makes it easier to remove ice, snow, dirt and bugs. Unlike other glass treatment products, it forms a chemical bond with the windshield's glass and lasts for up to six months. It is also used as an original-equipment application as part of Toyota's safety package on the Lexus RX330.

Results of a study conducted by the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute demonstrate that a glass treatment applied to the windshield improves visual awareness nearly 34 percent over an untreated windshield. The study also concluded that a driver's response time may be improved by as much as 25 percent with a treated windshield. This equates to a one second difference in response time. At 40 miles per hour, it represents 58 feet of travel.

"While it may not seem like a lot of time, drivers having that extra response time to react to a traffic jam or a stalled vehicle in their pathway may help them prevent an accident," said Recrosio.

Aquapel can be applied in a few minutes at local service center.