After over 10 trips by 4x4 and bike to Algeria from 1989 to 2002 (4 in 02) without any stone damage I only can recommand:
- drive sloooowly
- get in visual contact with the kids, smile
- weave
- and don't give them "cadeau", you will make it worse for all travelers after you.

Bye, Yves

P.S.: some nice images of Sahara: http://www.redjem.ch/Foto/

"Wave and smile" was our policy (in Tunisia). Result - one dented car, and lots of mock stone throwing. No probs in Algeria as we went over the dunes at the border.

Andrew.

What an interesting subject !
And what different responses ( thanks for that)
May be it will be interresting to change the title of the thread ( --> " Throwing stones " )?
But I have a question without response : IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL ACROSS EL OUED AND TOGGOURT AT NIGHT WITHOUT PROBLEM ( POLICE OR ? )

Roro.

I've never tried it, but can't think of a reason why it would be a particular problem.

(This answer only of some use if nobody has done it!!).

Sam.

Just a last question : I've seen on my windscreen the words "Triplex" and "laminated" (It's not true for my other windows ) .
Does it means that a stone can't broke it ?
(it can only make a kind of slit).
Thanks for your responses .

Roro .

Laminated glass is generally two sheets of glass with a tough plastic sheet sandwiched in between. It will generally crack and wobble a bit without forming a hole.

Toughened glass is the more usual windscreen one which shatters into bits max. about 10mm (and you find more of every time you clean your car afterwards!). I'm not sure which Triplex is - maybe a 3-layer laminated?

I have actually learnt this from kids throwing stones, albeit overnight at items of "plant" here in the UK. Excavators etc. generally have toughened when new, but in my experience laminated is the best replacement for this reason, so I guess it would be best also at withstanding African stones.

One other point (for flat windows) - Laminated can be cut "off the shelf", but toughened has to be cut and then heat-treated, so generally has to be ordered. Toughened's usually modestly cheaper though.

Funny, I read this thread before, but it didn't occur to me that I had had some stone-throwing experience!

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