In today’s economy, vehicle glass probably isn’t on your “wish list” of things you’re hoping to spend your hard-earned money on. Broken glass is more than a nuisance. It’s a matter of safety and security.
Staying secure…
If you’ve ever had a back glass or door glass made from tempered glass shatter into a million little pieces, you know what a mess it makes and how it leaves a gaping hole in your vehicle. Weather can get in, damaging upholstery or electrical systems like power door locks, window motors or sound system speakers. While we all do what we have to in order to “get by” until we can get it fixed, I’ve never seen plastic wrap or a garbage bag that can totally keep bad weather or would-be thieves or car-jackers out of a vehicle with a broken out window. It’s also tough trying to see clearly through plastic held in place with duct tape.
It’s just a crack…
Windshields are usually a different ballgame. They can get dinged or even cracked but they basically hold together, right? It’s tempting to think, “Eh, it can wait. It’s not that bad yet.” There are few problems with that philosophy. First, broken glass will catch sunlight and oncoming headlights and redirect the light in all sorts of angles making it harder to see clearly. Another equally important reason to get that cracked windshield replaced sooner than later is that the windshield is engineered to be part of the supporting structure for your roof. It’s part of what keeps the roof from caving in and crushing you in a rollover accident. A cracked windshield is a weakened part of the structure that could spell tragedy if an accident were to happen.
In addition, your airbag systems are designed to use the glass as part of the supporting system. When the airbags deploy, they need a backstop to make sure the bag goes toward the occupants to protect them and not deploy away from them. If that supporting system is cracked, it’s already weakened and less likely to do its job if you do wind up having an accident. Side impact airbags also rely partially on the door glass to deploy and protect properly. If the door glass is missing, that’s a problem.
Sorry, still not convinced…
If none of these reasons prompt you to get that cracked or missing glass taken care of, there’s one last reason I can think of. According to State law, it is illegal to “drive or operate any motor vehicle with a windshield that is cracked or discolored to the point that the driver’s vision is obstructed.” What constitutes a windshield being bad enough to warrant a ticket is up to the individual law enforcement officer. Why? Because this is recognized as a significant safety hazard, putting you and others at risk.
Please value your safety and security enough to get that glass replaced as soon as possible. You’re worth it!
