FLEET operators should apply water repellent coatings to car windscreens to increase visibility in the rain and cut the chances of accidents, driver training company DriveTech (UK) is claiming.

About 34% of all accidents occur in the wet, with the figure rising to 46% when it is dark. Coating windscreens with a water repellent layer can improve driver vision and response times, adding 58 feet more braking distance at 40mph, according to tests at the University of Michigan.

DriveTech (UK) chief executive Graham Griffiths said: 'Reducing driver fatigue and improving vision has a direct link on a driver's reaction time which will complement any training and could prove crucial in averting an incident.'

DriveTech (UK) is endorsing a product called Ombrello, which claims to improve vision by 34%, according to the independent tests in Michigan. When the vehicle is travelling above 35mph, Ombrello claims rain droplets will run off treated screens without the need for wipers.

Griffiths added: 'We would hope to see a decrease in road accidents as a result of fleets taking advantage of this simple but pro-active measure.'

Drivetech (UK) clients Dow Chemical and DowAgro- Sciences have started using the product on their 250 strong fleets. Earlier in the year, pharmaceutical giant Janssen-Cilag used the Ombrello treatment on its 650 company cars in a bid to improve safety. Weathertec UK, distributors of Ombrello, claims the product takes 15 minutes to apply and costs under £20 per windscreen.