If you stopped an average person on the street and asked them which component of their vehicle contributes most to safety aside from seat belts and airbags, what do you think the answer might be? Tires, lights, “crumple zones”, alarm systems? You’ll undoubtedly hear a variety of answers, and these components do contribute in some fashion to driving safety, but the one component many do not consider is (you guessed it) the windshield! A commonly held belief is that cracks or chips in the windshield are nothing more than a minor annoyance and are not a big deal unless they interfere with the driver’s line of sight. This line of thinking could not be more incorrect, as cracks and chips result in a weakened windshield which can fail at a time you need it most.
Why Is My Windshield So Important For Safety?
A vehicle’s windshield plays three key roles in automotive safety.
- Prevents the driver and passengers from being ejected from the vehicle in the event of an accident or collision. Occupants who are ejected from a vehicle during an accident are at far greater risk of being fatally injured.
- Helps absorb the impact of airbags as they deploy. Airbags release at an extremely high speed, and a compromised windshield with cracks or heavy chips may keep the windshield from properly absorbing the shock.
- Provides structural support, most notably for the roof. The windshield contributes substantially to the overall structural integrity of any vehicle. During a high speed collision or rollover, a damaged windshield may crumble and shatter on impact, or detach completely if it was poorly installed. This can mean the difference between life and death if the vehicle rolls or comes to rest upside down, because the roof will have much less support and a much higher chance of collapsing.
Chips and cracks in the windshield certainly are an annoyance, however there is much more at stake regarding the safety of the driver and passengers. Some damage may be too extensive to repair and requires replacement of the entire windshield, however small chips can be repaired so that they will not spread or “spider” and become a larger problem later.
At DeDona Auto Glass in Greensboro, NC, safety is our top concern for automotive glass replacement and repairs. Our experienced, certified staff will ensure your repair or new windshield installation is performed with absolutely no compromises and no cut corners. Our loyalty is to our customers, and always has been. If your vehicle’s windshield has been damaged, give us a call today and we’ll have you fixed up in no time. Can’t make it to our shop? No problem! If you are within our service area, our mobile team can come directly to you at no additional cost! Call us today at (336) 851-1380, or request a quote through our website.
