A minor crack in your windshield may not seem like a big deal, but driving with even a slight fracture could put you and your passengers at risk. In addition to the visibility impairment a crack could cause, damaged auto glass also reduces the safety of your vehicle in a number of ways. If you’ve had your windshield damaged, consider the important reasons to have it repaired below.

3 Critical Reasons to Avoid Driving With a Damaged Windshield

1. Risk of Complete Collapse

In the event of an accident, a cracked windshield is more likely to collapse entirely because its structural integrity has been compromised. Even a seemingly minimal impact, such as that sustained during a fender bender, could cause the auto glass to become further damaged. This puts you and your passengers at a greater risk of injury from broken glass.

2. Increased Chance of Ejection

The windshield shouldn’t be the only line of defense used to prevent ejection in an accident. Yet, it can help to contain passengers who may not have been wearing their seat belts. While you and your passengers should always stay belted when the car is in motion, a windshield that has been compromised is more likely to shatter and allow for an ejection, which makes potential accidents much more dangerous.

3. Lack of Airbag Deployment

Finally, auto glass that has a crack may not properly trigger the deployment of airbags if needed. In particular, side airbags in many vehicles are designed to bounce against the windshield, then push toward the passenger to provide a cushion. A broken windshield could prevent this from happening. Moreover, the force with which airbags are deployed is significant, so they could wind up shattering a broken windshield and putting you and your passengers at risk.

If you have a damaged windshield, turn to Expert Auto Glass. Serving Salt Lake County, UT, this shop specializes in the repair and replacement of auto glass for cars, trucks, and SUVs. Their dedicated team works with insurance companies to resolve claims as cost-effectively as possible. Get a free quote by visiting their website or by calling (801) 569-2666.