Is a Cracked Windshield Dangerous?

Celina GoodacreAuto Glass

Is a cracked windscreen dangerous?

This is a question I get asked regularly and the answer is, sort of.

OK, the answer is yes, but not for the reason that most people think. We should all know by now that an automobile windshield plays a major part in the proper operation of the safety equipment in today’s automobiles. From the weight your vehicles roof can hold to proper airbag deployment, much of today’s modern safety equipment requires a strong and properly installed windshield.

It can be argued that a broken or cracked windscreen is not as strong as one that is not. But my feeling is that a windscreen will chip, smash, crack and break at the very start of a vehicle collision and that most of the trauma from an accident will come in the following seconds afterwards. Even when a windshield is completely broken it will stay together, in the vehicle and is nearly impossible to smash right through it. This is because a windscreen is effectively two pieces of glass glued together with laminate and they are designed to withstand penetration from very heavy objects at high speed. This is why many passenger dash mounted airbags are able to deflect off the windshield and then towards the occupants when they are deployed.

To that end I do not believe the real danger from a broken windshield comes from compromised strength or integrity. But instead from the impeded view through a cracked, broken, chipped or pitted windshield. As seen in the picture below the day light is being focused through this windshield crack into two blinding bright spots of light (No, I did not take the picture while driving). A windshield can seriously effect your vision in the rain too as the wipers will not work effectively.

If your view if the road ahead is an obstructed, your much less likely to avoid any potential dangers.

Splashes auto glass and windshield repair is located in the Surrey Auto Mall. Splashes auto glass is an ICBC glass express shop which means we handle all the details with your autuglass insurance company and can provide you with same day windshield replacement service. Call Splashes auto glass anytime at 604-542-4960