Improving My Car

Going On A Great American Road Trip? What To Do If Your Windshield Cracks Along The Way

According to statistics, about half of the families going on summer vacation are hitting the highways to reach their destinations. Bags are crammed into the back or onto the roof, children are piled into the backseat, and mom and dad take turns answering, "Are we there yet?" Then, suddenly, everyone hears *CLINK* and a visible line develops across the windshield. The windshield is cracked. Now what? Here's what you need to know. 

It's a Safety Issue

Driving with a cracked windshield can be dangerous, particularly if the crack is within the line of the driver's sight. However, don't dismiss a crack that is not within the line of sight as being safe. Any pothole or bump you hit in the road can cause that crack to worsen and can potentially "shatter" the entire windshield. Although the individual pieces of glass will remain in one sheet due to the shatterproof abilities of the glass, it would be nearly impossible to see out of the windshield. 

Another concern is that intact and damage-free windshields do provide some protection in the event of a vehicle rollover. The windshield itself provides a bit of stability to the roof of the vehicle upon impact with the ground in a rollover. For the safety of your family, it's best to have the windshield repaired as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are a number of auto glass replacement services available throughout the country, and many will service your vehicle at your location so you don't have to risk driving any further with a damaged windshield. 

It's a Legal Issue 

It's also important to understand that driving with a damaged windshield has legal issues as well. Each state has different laws regarding what types of cracks will result in being ticketed or fined. Many states have what are called "fix it or ticket" clauses in their traffic laws regarding windshield repairs and other types of issues. This means that you may be asked to fix the windshield and then show a police officer your repaired windshield within a specific number of days, which can be tricky to do if you do not repair the windshield immediately before heading further down the road on your way to enjoy your vacation. 

In conclusion, repairing a cracked windshield as quickly as possible is not only safer for your family, but it will also help you to avoid fines. When your windshield cracks, pull over as soon as possible and call an auto glass replacement service for a repair.


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