A vehicle’s windshield is the first line of protection against weather, rocks, and other road debris. Most people will experience a windshield crack at some point in their lives. It is important to repair a windshield crack as soon as possible, as it can be dangerous to continue driving with a cracked windshield. A cracked windshield creates the following safety risks.
Decreases Airbag Deployment
If you are involved in an auto accident, the airbags are usually inflated to cushion the impact. This protects passengers from suffering severe injuries. In order for the airbag to properly work, it needs to push off of the windshield to then shift toward the passenger. If the windshield is damaged or cracked, this could prevent it from providing necessary insulation to the passengers and instead cause it to deploy upward.
Loss of Structural Strength
The windshield is actually a crucial part of the strength of your vehicle’s frame. When a collision occurs, the impact is shifted to another part of the car, often the chassis or undercarriage. This reduction in impact can protect or lessen the damage to the vehicle and its passengers. If the windshield is already cracked, it is more likely to shatter and not give the expected impact shift.
The same structural integrity can affect the injuries sustained during a rollover accident. With the strength of the windshield already compromised, the roof can easily cave in with enough pressure. Passengers are much more likely to suffer severe injuries if the vehicle is to flip over and not have sufficient structure to keep it from caving in.
Shattered Windshield
Once a minor crack starts in the windshield, it can quickly spread over time. Temperature changes, additional debris striking the glass, or increased pressure can all affect the windshields crack. The windshield is designed with two layers of glass that are protected with a plastic film that. Although this makes it unlikely that the glass will cave into the vehicle, it is possible that a shattered windshield can significantly reduce your driver visibility. Reduced driver visibility is dangerous and can result in a serious auto accident.
Knowing When to Replace your Windshield
There are many factors to consider when evaluating the safety of a cracked windshield. You will want to consider the size and position of the crack and whether or not it is rapidly growing. A crack that covers the driver’s visibility is not only dangerous but also illegal in many states. A growing crack can indicate that the structural strength has been severely compromised.
In most cases, it is best to have even the smallest of windshield cracks inspected by a professional as soon as possible. Because of the level of importance and the safety concerns that are involved, it is also necessary to go to a professional to have it repaired. An improperly installed windshield poses many of the same risks as a cracked windshield does.
Driving with a cracked windshield can be extremely dangerous. You are at greater risk of passenger injuries, reduced driver viability, and a severe auto accident.
“Cracked, By Eugene Peretz, (CC BY-SA 2.0)“
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