Flirting with Danger: Why You Should Never Neglect a Cracked Windshield

Many of us have been in this position: you’re driving down the road and all of a sudden, a pebble hits your windshield out of nowhere—leaving it cracked.

Your vehicle’s first line of defense is its windshield. It protects the driver and passengers of the car from road debris like tiny rocks, as well as the weather. You may be tempted to ignore the crack and go about your business as usual, putting yourself in harm’s way unknowingly.

Here’s why you should never ignore a cracked windshield:

Impairs Road Visibility

The foremost reason you should get your windshield replaced immediately is that it severely impairs your vision of the road. You want to make sure you can see any obstructions on the road clearly to ensure your safety.  

Not only will this save you from getting into a serious accident, but it can also keep you from hitting pedestrians and wildlife crossing the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been a 3% increase in the number of pedestrian fatalities since the 1990s. Keep yourself and others safe by making sure you have a good view of the road.  

Decreases Airbag Deployment

In case of a collision, how quick your airbag is deployed makes the difference between life and death. Airbag deployment has a lot to do with your windshield. They expand against your windshield, directing themselves toward you.  

This can only be executed efficiently if your windshield is able to support the pressure of an inflating airbag; a cracked windshield will most likely fail to do this.

Increases the Chances of Ejection by Collision Impact

It doesn’t take an expert to figure out that your chances of surviving a car crash are significantly lower if you’re propelled out of your car. While wearing a seatbelt will protect you from being ejected out of the vehicle, many people don’t take this precaution.

A sturdy windshield will protect you from this in case of a collision—it keeps the driver inside the car, rather than throwing them out upon impact. However, it can only do this efficiently if the surface of the windshield is crack-free.

 Windshields are the number one insurance claim in the United States—30% of auto insurance claims are for windshields. So, if you notice a crack in it, make sure it is repaired as soon as possible.  

If you’re looking for windshield and auto-glass replacement in Houston, contact AAR Auto Glass at (832) 303-0318 or get a quote for your windshield replacement.