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Your cracked windshield is an eyesore, but you can’t be bothered to have it repaired or even replaced. It seems too much trouble for something you seem to work around just fine. Well, you’d be surprised. Here are some surefire reasons why neglecting a cracked windshield is hazardous to your safety.

Your View is Impaired

The windshield is your vehicle’s primary visual navigation tool. Hindering your ability to see poses serious dangers to drivers. An inability to clearly see the road, other vehicles, and potential obstacles, is a leading contributor to automotive accidents and injury, according to the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. A cracked windshield greatly enhances sunlit glare during the day and headlight glare at night. This makes it difficult to see oncoming traffic and obstacles.

It No Longer Works as a ‘Shield’

While your vehicle’s windshield does serve to protect you from flying debris, objects, and insects, it also acts as a structural support for the vehicle’s frame. Without that support, your vehicle’s body may begin to disintegrate. A cracked windshield also poses a greater risk of shattering on impact. This can result in injuries sustained from broken glass.

Increases Risk of Ejection from Impact

The windshield can act as a barrier from ejection if the occupant has their seatbelt on. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the fatal crashes of 2014, 81% of passenger vehicle occupants who were ejected from vehicles were killed.

Airbag Deployment becomes Ineffective

In the event of a vehicle collision, the windshield acts as a back wall or back stop on the passenger side airbag. A cracked windshield is unable to hold the airbag in place because it’s not sturdy enough. This essentially neutralizes the airbag’s protective function. The airbag may instead inflate through the opening. The passenger then neither receives the protection of the bag or the windshield. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that air bags saved 50,457 lives from 1987 to 2017. Have you been neglecting that crack in your windshield? Auto glass shop in San Antonio provides a 24 hour mobile windshield repair and replacement service. We have been a leader in the windshield repair and replacement industry for over 30 years. To get an estimate get in touch with us now. Call (210)793-7115.