Public Safety Announcement - Windshield Safety
Driving with a cracked windshield can mean
more than a simple aesthetic flaw or minor annoyance. A cracked windshield is a
safety risk to you and your passengers. Damage to your windshield may affect
your ability to drive and how your vehicle may respond in a crash.
Impaired Vision:
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Depending on where it’s situated, the
windshield crack may cause an obstructed view of the road or the driver’s
surroundings. No matter where the crack is, it is likely that a driver will
look at that spot to navigate through traffic. Cracks in the windshield can be
large enough to cause a blind spot. Since reaction time is of the utmost
importance while driving, a blind spot can cause you to strike another car, an
animal or a person crossing the road.
Airbag Deployment:
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When an airbag deploys, particularly a
passenger-side airbag, it strikes the windshield in many models. If a
windshield is cracked, it may not be strong enough to withstand the sudden
impact of the airbag from inside the vehicle. If the windshield fails, the airbag
may not deploy properly, and the passenger could sustain unnecessary injuries.
Structural Weakness:
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The windshield can compromise the
structural integrity of the vehicle’s cab if it is cracked. Windshields are
designed to fit tightly into place and reinforce the stability of the car’s
roof. According to ADOT, the windshield and the rear window play an important
role in supporting the roof of a vehicle. If an automobile is involved in a
crash and rolls onto its roof, a cracked windshield will make it easier for the
weight of the car to collapse on the seating area and the people in those
seats. The thick windshield glass, without a crack, helps to reinforce the roof
so that it stays in place when more force is added to it.
