Driving around town for months with cracks and chips in your rear windshield may not seem like a big deal. But trust us when we tell you, it is. In fact, it’s downright dangerous and possibly illegal (depending on the condition of the glass) for you to be operating a vehicle with a damaged windshield or side window. Now is the time for a complete windshield replacement from Only 1 Auto Glass. We can restore your glass and make it safe for you to drive on the road.
Here’s Why Your Cracked Rear Windshield is a Big Deal
There are plenty of reasons why driving with a damaged windshield is a bad idea. Below are four:
1. Lack of Structural Integrity. When a windshield is intact, it transfers the force of a front-end impact to the chassis. It reduces the shock inside the car and protects the passengers. If your car's cracked windshield shatters during a wreck, you and other passengers are at higher risk of sustaining injuries.
2. Increased Risk of Impact Injury. A windshield in perfect condition adds structural support that can keep a car's roof from caving in if the vehicle flips. A crack in the glass can weaken the windshield. If it breaks, the roof can collapse if the car is upside down.
3. Ejection From the Car. If the passengers do not fasten their seat belts when a collision takes place, the windshield can keep them from being ejected from the vehicle. A windshield with a minor crack or chip that shatters on impact doesn't offer that added buffer.
4. Airbag Malfunction. When a collision triggers deployment, the windshield is the backstop that forces the airbag to inflate toward the passenger. The force of an airbag deployment can shatter a cracked or chipped windshield. If that happens, the bag may inflate out through the opening, and the passenger will not have protection.
Protect Yourself and Your Passengers
As you can see, the windshield is an integral part of a vehicle’s framework. It provides ultimate protection for all passengers in a car. Therefore, you should consider getting your windshield repaired or replaced by an Only 1 Auto Glass technician right away. Contact your insurance provider to find out if they will pay for the replacement with no increase in your insurance rates. In most cases, they will.
An Only 1 Auto Glass technician can inspect our car and make the necessary auto glass repair. We offer complete repairs and windshield replacement on SUVs, trucks, and sedans. We also cover all commercial vehicles. If you live in the Twin Cities area and need glass repair, then contact us today. You can call us at 651-789-1111, or you can message us on our contact page.