Your windshield is one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. It is essential to keep your windshield and all of your auto glass repaired and in good condition at all times. Driving with a chipped or cracked windshield may put you and your passengers at risk for injury in the event of a rollover or collision.
The original purpose of a windshield was to keep road debris, wind, and rain from entering the vehicle. This is still an important function of a windshield, especially when traveling at high speeds that are typical of modern vehicles. Unfortunately, road debris, rocks, hail, and other items may collide with your glass as you travel from place to place. Often, these impacts can cause a small chip or crack to form. When this happens, it is important to have it fixed as soon as possible. Many times, small chips can be fixed so that a replacement is not necessary.
Another purpose of a windshield and auto glass is that they allow you to have a clear view of the road and traffic around you. Awareness of your surroundings is essential to driving safely and avoiding potentially dangerous situations. When your windshield is cracked or damaged, your vision may be obstructed, putting you and others at risk.
No matter how careful we are, accidents do happen. If your airbags should happen to deploy, your windshield is essential to absorb the impact of the passenger airbags. Once the airbag is engaged, it springs upward and bounces off of the windshield to shield the front seat passenger. If your glass is cracked or improperly installed, it may not be able to withstand this powerful force. As a result, your airbag may not protect your passenger as intended.
A well-maintained windshield may prevent passengers from being ejected from the vehicle during a collision or rollover event. A large number of fatalities occur when occupants are ejected from vehicles. Your windshield acts as a barrier to protect you and your passengers should an accident occur.
Your vehicle's windshield is designed to provide structural support to the roof. This is especially important in the event of a rollover or high-speed collision. A poorly installed or damaged windshield may crumble or detach, putting you and your passengers at greater risk for injury or death. Should your vehicle roll and come to rest on its roof, your windshield acts as a strong support to prevent the roof from caving in or collapsing. This could mean the difference in life or death for the occupants of your vehicle.
Chips and cracks may seem like nothing but a nuisance. In reality, any damage to your windshield should be repaired as soon as possible so that this important piece of equipment can function properly. If the damage is too large to be repaired, the glass should be replaced as soon as possible. Be sure to work with an auto glass company that is well trained and experienced in replacing all types of windshields properly. Ask for a warranty on all work and be sure that they use high quality glass made specifically for your type of vehicle.
