When you think about vehicle safety, you may think about buckling your seat belt, locking your doors, and abiding by local traffic laws. Although these are all essential for protecting yourself, your loved ones, and other drivers, they aren’t the only things you should think of. Your windshield also plays a crucial role in maintaining well-functioning safety features.
Even the smallest cracks or chips on your windshield can put your vehicle safety at risk. Many safety features, including ADAS and airbags, rely on a structurally sound windshield for proper operation. Minor glass damage may be the difference between functional and non-functional safety features in the event of an accident, leading to worse injuries and vehicle damage.
If you want to learn more about the relationship between your windshield and vehicle safety, keep reading.
Why Windshields are Essential to Vehicle Safety
Your windshield is one of the most critical vehicle safety features, contributing to visibility, structural integrity, and airbag performance. One of the most significant benefits of a structurally sound, damage-free windshield is a clear view of the road as you drive. While it might not seem like a big deal, small chips, cracks, and breaks can significantly impact your visibility.
This damage makes it far more difficult to see other vehicles as you’re changing lanes, turning, parking, and more. Your windshield also plays a major role in the structural support of your car. According to the Auto Glass Safety Council, your windshield provides nearly half of the structural integrity of the vehicle’s cabin.
This support helps you avoid roof collapses during severe accidents and rollovers. In the event of a crash, your windshield is also crucial for proper airbag deployment. If your windshield is damaged before an accident, your airbags may not deploy properly. This lack of an essential vehicle safety feature puts you at an increased risk of sustaining a serious injury, even in a less severe accident.
How Windshields Protect You from External Hazards
Windshields act as the first line of defense against the elements while driving. From rocks kicked up by other vehicles on the road to harsh weather conditions like rain, sleet, and hail, your windshield is designed to absorb impacts and prevent hazardous materials from entering your vehicle’s cabin.
Laminated safety glass, which consists of two layers of glass with a layer of plastic in between, ensures your windshield doesn’t shatter into sharp fragments upon impact. This feature protects passengers from flying debris and helps maintain cabin safety during collisions. These impacts can significantly reduce your vehicle safety without adequate repairs or regular inspections, putting you at risk of injuries.
The Connection Between Windshields and Modern Driver Assistance
Most modern vehicles come with Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). These systems include features like lane assistance, emergency braking, blindspot detection, and adaptive cruise control. When functioning properly, this system relies on cameras and sensors mounted on your windshield to assist you.
Damage to your windshield may not impact your ADAS at first, but it can become a problem when the windshield is replaced. A windshield replacement can cause misalignments that lead to partial or total system malfunctions, significantly compromising vehicle safety while you’re on the road.
The easiest way to avoid these problems is by scheduling ADAS calibration alongside your windshield replacement. This recalibration ensures these systems continue to function after the replacement, providing you with an extra layer of protection while traveling. No matter how far you drive each day, ADAS is an essential component of safe driving.
When to Repair or Replace a Damaged Windshield
If you’ve recently noticed damage to your windshield, you may consider putting off repairs. While some minor chips and cracks might not seem like a big deal, temperature fluctuations, bumps in the road, moisture, and roadside debris can cause them to spread or worsen. Over time, worsening damage compromises visibility and interferes with other safety features.
To ensure your vehicle safety while on the road, it’s best to schedule windshield repairs as soon as possible. If your schedule is full and you don’t have time to visit an in-person location, you should ask your glass provider whether they provide mobile windshield replacements. Mobile services can help you stay safe without sacrificing work, errands, or family responsibilities.
Reliable Windshield Repairs and Replacements from Valley Glass
When it comes to replacing or repairing your windshield, don’t settle for just any company. Instead, turn to a company with years of experience and training to do the job properly. If you’re looking for a reliable auto glass provider in the Northern Utah, Idaho Falls, or Idaho Falls area, turn to our team at Valley Glass.
Since 1956, our team has provided expert auto glass services to drivers across the Wasatch Front and beyond. Whether you’re dealing with a small chip, major crack, or shatters that render your vehicle unusable, we are dedicated to providing you with quick, high-quality glass repairs or replacements.
When you’re ready to schedule windshield repairs or replacements to restore vehicle safety, don’t hesitate to contact us.
