Is it safe to drive with a cracked windshield?
Your car's windshield is more than just a window to see what's in front of you - it protects you. Without a windshield, you'll be bombarded with road debris kicked up by other vehicles, snow and rain, and even birds or insects. Inside, your car will be very dirty, not to mention that at highway speeds, the wreckage will be quite painful when it hits you.
Your windshield is important to your safety for reasons other than preventing debris from entering your vehicle. The windshield is an extremely important component of your vehicle's structural integrity for a number of reasons:
- Improves body rigidity
- Prevents body flex that creates sway when turning
- Provides roof support
- Prevents roof collapse during rollover
- Protects passengers in a frontal collision
The most important function of your windshield is to protect passengers in a crash. When you're in a head-on collision, the crumple zones absorb as much of the impact as possible. When the crash energy enters the cabin, the windshield helps maintain structural integrity. Like the strength of an eggshell, the curved shape of the windshield prevents it from falling onto passengers and allows the A-pillars to fold down.
The same effect will be if you turn your car over. When the vehicle rolls onto the roof, the windshield's flexing force provides significant protection against the roof collapsing onto the occupants.
A crack in the windshield is a weak point. In a frontal collision or rollover, the windshield may not respond in the same way and may not provide the structural integrity to keep you safe. If you have a crack in your windshield, it needs to be replaced for more than just aesthetics; it must be replaced for your safety.
