The Dangers of Driving with a Cracked Windshield

Is driving with a cracked windshield dangerous or illegal?

Yes, driving with a chipped or cracked windshield is dangerous, and if the crack is in your line of sight, it’s also illegal in most states. Your windshield doesn’t just keep the wind out of your face. It’s a structural member of the vehicle. Once it develops a crack or chip, it loses most of its structural integrity.

The windshield provides structural support

Most people don’t realize that the windshield helps support the roof. Everyone thinks the support is performed solely by the A pillars, which do provide substantial vertical support. But windshield glass provides lateral support, up to 45% of the structural support, in fact.

Your windshield provides roll-over protection

The windshield provides even more structural support in the event of a roll-over. As long as the windshield remains intact, it can provide up to 60% of the structural support for the roof.

The windshield is an integral part of the airbag system

In many passenger airbag designs, where the airbag is located along the top of the dash, an intact windshield is required for proper operation. In those designs, the airbag fires up into the windshield. The windshield deflects the airbag into the cabin, protecting the passenger. If the windshield is cracked, the force of the airbag will blow out the windshield, causing the airbag to fail to protect the passenger

Check the windshield laws in your state here

©, 2019 Rick Muscoplat