Driving with a Damaged Windshield? You Might Be Breaking the Law and Risking Your Safety

If you are driving a vehicle with a damaged windshield, you might hear annoying air whistles or see damaging water leaks. But you also might be breaking the law in your state and risking your safety and that of your passengers.

An auto replacement glass technical expert advises consumers to check windshields regularly and replace them if required.

“Windshields are structural components of today’s vehicles and provide important safety features in an accident,” said Russell Corsi, automotive replacement glass technical services manager of PPG Industries, North America’s largest supplier of automotive replacement glass. “In an accident, the windshield helps support your car’s roof so that cave-in potential is minimized, and it also allows the airbag to function properly.”

In the past, having windshields cleaned and checked was part of the service at roadside service stations, along with checking the oil and tires, Corsi said. “Today, responsibility for windshield maintenance rests with each of us. It’s certainly not hard to do, but we should inspect our windshields on a regular basis.”

Corsi advises consumers to contact their state’s department of motor vehicles for details about laws relating to windshield condition.

“Some states prohibit operation of vehicles with windshields that are cracked or have chips in the critical vision area. This is the area in the driver’s line of sight just above the steering wheel, typically about 8-1/2 inches high by 11 inches wide.”

“Some windshield damage,” Corsi continued, “may not always be noticed immediately by the car owner. Check your windshield regularly for any damage, especially if your state does not require vehicle safety inspections,” he said. “And, if your state does require them, don’t wait until the vehicle inspection to have your windshield repaired or replaced. Do it promptly to avoid further damage and complications.”

He recommends these steps for performing a windshield inspection. Inspect the entire windshield inside and out for chips or cracks that determine whether repair or replacement is needed. Corsi said that chips or minor damage can be repaired, with many insurance companies waiving the deductible.

Check windshield wipers to make sure they are soft and pliable because a worn wiper can damage the glass.

Check around the glass edge for damage to the frame, including rust, especially if the windshield has been replaced since the vehicle was purchased or if the vehicle was preowned. It is important for the windshield to be properly installed in the vehicle. Any damage in the area around the windshield can weaken the windshield’s structural integrity.

If you do need to replace your windshield, Corsi advises selecting a professional auto glass installer who is certified by an auto glass industry organization, such as the National Glass Association (NGA).

“It’s important to have your windshield repaired or replaced by a qualified auto glass professional,” Corsi concluded. “A qualified professional will know the best techniques for installing your vehicle’s windshields and will do it right the first time.”

In the Twin Cities Metro Area, Rightway Auto Glass, located at 8573 Jefferson Hwy., Osseo, MN is a certified auto glass shop that can provide quality work. For convenient auto glass repairs and replacements, call (763) 420-7014.

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