Auto experts recommend changing your wiper blades about once a year to ensure clear visibility through your windshield.

Clear vision is essential to safe driving.

Neglect the wiper blades — the part of your car responsible for keeping your vision clear — and you could find yourself actually needing the traction control, anti-lock brakes, dynamic stability control and air bags as you crash into what you can't see.

A clean windshield is not only useful during rain, sleet and snow. How many times have you experienced a windshield that is smeared with insects or bird droppings?

Removing such dirt with worn wiper blades is nearly impossible. Usually, you wind up smearing the mess. If you change your blades regularly, you can avoid these problems.

Generally, a blade will show physical wear signs like cracking or discoloration. Another way to know is by the quality of the wipe. Streaking or unwiped areas are a dead giveaway. In addition, if the blades make noise or chattering sounds, then they need to be replaced. However, if you change your blades frequently, you won't have to examine your blades looking for these signs of possible failure.

The National Highway Transportation Board recommends drivers change their wiper blades every year. However, the average vehicle owner replaces his or her wiper blades only once every 2½ years.