If you’ve lived in the Twin Cities area for at least a year, you likely know spring and summer comprise road construction season here. You’ve probably also gathered that driving through construction zones can damage your auto glass and the body of your car or truck.
What is it about road construction that puts your vehicle at risk? And is there anything you can do to protect your auto glass from chips and cracks? Read on to find out!
1. Flying Rocks and Debris
When you’re driving through a construction zone, you’ll inevitably encounter some loose gravel, dirt, and possibly even other types of debris on the road. Vehicles’ tires can easily pick that stuff up, and if you’re following other drivers too closely, their tires can propel rocks and other debris straight at your windshield.
What can you do to avoid this? Maintain a safe following distance at all times. Generally, that means keeping at least three seconds of space between the front of your vehicle and the rear of the vehicle in front of you. For additional protection when road conditions are poor or visibility is limited, do your best to keep at least five seconds of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
2. Bumps and Holes in the Road
To prep roadways for repairs and updates, construction crews may need to break down the existing asphalt to some degree. That process can easily leave behind large bumps, divots, and holes in the road, as well as height differences between new and old pavement while roads are still under construction.
If you drive over those areas too quickly, the force generated by your tires hitting the pavement can easily cause minor chips or cracks in your auto glass to spread. If outdoor temperatures are particularly high or low and you hit a hole or bump with enough speed, the impact alone could even crack a windshield that’s completely intact.
3. Construction Vehicles Carrying Gravel
If you regularly drive through construction zones, you’re bound to encounter dump trucks carrying loads of gravel at some point. And if you drive too closely to those trucks, you’re bound to end up with a chipped or cracked windshield at some point, too.
Avoiding this potential window damage is easy: Keep your distance from any construction vehicles you see on the road. It’s better to arrive a couple of minutes late with an undamaged vehicle than to get there on time with a huge chip or crack in your auto glass or a noticeable dent in the body of your car or truck.
Only 1 Auto Glass: The #1 Choice for Twin Cities Auto Glass Repair
If you’re in the market for auto glass repair or replacement services, don’t hesitate to request a quote from our team at Only 1 Auto Glass! For more than a decade, we’ve proudly served Twin Cities drivers, and our expert team has more than 200 years of combined experience. All of our work comes with limited warranties, and our 15 shop locations make caring for your auto glass faster and more convenient than ever.
To get started, go ahead and request a free estimate online or give us a call today at 651-789-1111 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services!