Cracks on your car windscreen are one of the most typical types of damage you don’t like to pay attention to. You may dismiss a chipped or cracked windscreen as a minor cosmetic concern, but cracked windscreens are much more than that. 

It is not only an unsightly imperfection that can detract from the aesthetic of your car, but it is also a significant safety threat and also illegal to drive a car with windscreen crack.

You must have heard lots of times how risky it is to drive with a cracked windscreen. Yes, it may not appear to be something serious, but driving with a cracked windscreen puts you, your passengers, your vehicle, and other drivers in danger. 

Let’s get right into it!

Why can’t I drive with a cracked windscreen?

Just to answer your questions on why you should not drive a car with a cracked windscreen.

Windscreen cracks jeopardize a vehicle’s structural integrity because they will fail to protect against rain, sun, and snow among other elements that it has. 

Windscreens function, however, are not limited to these. It also keeps a car intact and reduces the impact of crushing during an accident.

That’s correct. During a rollover, a properly functioning windshield can offer up to 70% structural stability and that should give a good picture of the problems that a cracked glass or smashed window might have caused.

Dangers associated with a cracked windscreen.

Here are various dangers associated with failing to repair a smashed or cracked as soon as possible;

It reduces your visibility.

Windscreen cracks can make driving difficult, especially in low light or in bad weather. It reduces the windscreen integrity and distracts the driver’s vision.

When the driver’s vision is impaired, he is more likely to be involved in a collision or a traffic pile-up. 

Furthermore, a small crack can be a constant source of distraction. Windscreen damage also reflects light, allowing dirt and this  results in a blinding glare. This puts you and the other people in your automobile in grave danger.

Since poor visibility is a leading cause of car accidents, you must be able to see clearly at all times. Major crack on your windshield might obscure your view of the road or divert your attention away from the road, both of which can be harmful. 

Don’t put off getting a cracked windscreen repaired or replaced if you want to lower your chance of an accident or collision due to poor visibility.

Your Security Is Jeopardized.

The windscreens on all cars are designed to protect you and other passengers, especially in the event of an accident. A cracked windscreen, on the other hand, will not be able to withstand the force of a front-end collision, putting the lives of the vehicle’s occupants in jeopardy. 

In the case of an accident or collision, a strong windscreen is essential to protect you and your passengers. Small cracks and chips in the glass can weaken the structural integrity of the windscreen and increase the danger of its shattering. 

This implies that driving with a damaged windscreen puts you and your passengers in grave danger. Because an accident can happen at any time, it’s critical to address the issue right away.

It is illegal to drive a car with a cracked windscreen

It is illegal to drive with smashed glass or glass with sharp edges exposed to guarantee the safety of everyone on the road. If a crack or discoloration in the windscreen obstructs or interferes with the driver’s ability to see clearly, the vehicle cannot be operated.

If a police officer discovers you driving with a damaged windscreen, you could face a substantial fine, which varies by province or territory. 

You’ll also be expected to have it repaired in a timely manner. It’s best to have a cracked or chipped windscreen repaired by an automobile glass professional as soon as possible to save money and time.

Airbag deployment that is ineffective

When your car is involved in a serious collision, the windscreen also aids in the effective deployment of airbags. The windscreen acts as a backstop for the airbags, allowing them to expand towards the occupants. 

However, if the glass is already broken, the power of the airbag deployment can shatter it, resulting in an airbag deployment malfunction and potentially deadly damage to the occupants.

You must keep in mind that airbags have a lot of force behind them when they deploy. Even the tiniest crack or chip in a windscreen can shatter under this force. If this windscreen, the airbag will most likely inflate through the damaged windscreen.

In other words, a smashed windscreen renders airbags useless. Passengers will not be protected if the airbags are deployed incorrectly.

It leads to Distraction

Distraction while driving can take numerous forms, including the usage of a cell phone. Anything that takes your attention away from driving safely is risky.

So, what’s up with those small cracks in your windscreen? This is a potential source of distraction.

After all, it has the potential to lure your focus away from the road. Cracks also tend to reflect more light. As a result, blinding glare may occur.

Your car’s windscreen is a tough safety component, but that doesn’t mean it’s impervious to harm. Windscreen damage is a typical occurrence in reality. 

Driving with a cracked windscreen might make matters worse

You might be compelled to ignore a little chip or crack in your windscreen, but even minor flaws can quickly escalate into severe problems. 

The longer you overlook little chips, cracks, and scratches, the more likely they will get larger, requiring you to replace the entire windscreen. This might be a costly error because windscreen repairs are frequently simple and inexpensive, it’s best to deal with any damage as soon as possible.

The Right Way of Dealing with a Cracked Windscreen

A cracked windscreen has the potential to jeopardize your vehicle’s safety. No matter how minor or inconsequential they look to the human eye, they might jeopardize the structural integrity of your vehicle. 

Since a cracked or smashed windscreen poses a direct threat to your life, it should not be ignored. A windscreen repair is the best approach to cope with a cracked windscreen is to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible by professionals. 

Many DIY methods and hacks may appear to be a tempting alternative for repairing small cracks, but they may cause more harm than good. A windscreen crack should be repaired by expert hands with specialized tools. 

An improperly placed windscreen can endanger your life and the lives of others. Only a windscreen professional will inspect your new windscreen for proper installation and stability. 

During windscreen replacement, they will also be available for the overall integrity of your car to ensure there is no further damage. When you choose professional services, you can rest assured that your windscreen will be well taken care of.

Further Reading

A minor chip in your windscreen should be repaired as soon as possible because if left ignored, it can turn into a huge crack, requiring the replacement of the entire windscreen. It is also required for safety reasons. A windscreen with a small aperture may not provide adequate protection when there are rocks or other particles on the road.

Are you in the market for a new windscreen to replace your cracked one? When replacing a windscreen, our highly educated professionals use highly sophisticated equipment and adhere to international safety requirements. 

To provide you peace of mind, we provide a  written warranty on the materials we use and our workmanship. Check out our windscreen replacement page to learn more about what we have to offer.