The Dangers of a Cracked Windshield

Driving in African terrain can be risky or spectacular mostly depending on prevailing weather conditions. Harsh winds, hail storms, and extreme weather are also expected, and negatively impact the outer structure of your vehicle, especially the windshield. But there’s more! Roadside debris, flying rocks and several other factors also contribute to damaging your windshield. This means that cracks and chips can occur even when you’re dealing with moderate weather. If your vehicle has been in an accident recently that caused the windshield to sustain damage, here are a few things you should know before you take it out on the road again.

DANGERS OF DRIVING WITH DAMAGED WINDSHIELD

While a partially chipped or cracked windshield doesn’t pose a huge threat to the driver and passengers, it’s still important to get it replaced or repaired depending on the extent of the damage. Let’s take a look at the risks a cracked windshield poses.

ACCIDENTS DUE TO LIMITED VISIBILITY

Cracks and chips can cause blurred vision and serve as a distraction for the driver. Not to mention, dirt, water and grime can collect inside the crack or above the chipped area, decreasing visibility. Impaired vision can cause an accident as the driver may not be able to see objects such as rocks, small animals or pits on the road.

LESS PROTECTION IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT

The windshield provides structural integrity to a vehicle and acts as a load-bearing element. When a car suffers from a frontend collision, an intact windshield actively transfers the force of the impact towards the chassis downwards and away from the driver/passenger. A cracked windshield won’t be able to do that and will instead break on impact. This also affects the correct deployment of the airbag, which serves to protect the driver and passengers from impression fractures to the skull and facial bones.

LEGAL TROUBLES

While driving around with a small crack or chip on the windshield isn’t an offence in Kenya, drivers may be fined anywhere between Ksh 5000 to thousands of shillings depending on the city and local laws if the crack/chip affects the driver’s field of vision.

GROWING DAMAGE

Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away. This is especially true in the case of a damaged windshield. The crack may not be harming anyone for now, but your problems will grow significantly worse if you come across one of these situations:

• Your windshield is hit by a rock or roadside debris
• Something falls on the cracks—an animal, etc. and the pressure increases the size of the crack
• Heavy vibrations due to slammed doors or bumps in the road cause the windshield to lose integrity
• Moisture accumulates in the crack and weakens the whole structure over time when it spreads

WHEN SHOULD I NOT IGNORE CRACKS?

There are a few situations where you can’t ignore even the smallest problem without putting yourself and everyone around you inside and outside the car at risk.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

When you turn on the heating system, the fluctuation in temperature causes the glass to expand and contract, directly affecting the size of the crack. Windshields are usually made of sturdy materials, so they’re able to withstand harsh temperatures only if they’re free of fractures.

AFFECTED LINE OF SIGHT

To drive safely, the driver needs clear visibility, which can be impacted by even a minor chip on the windscreen. A crack or chip that’s located on the passenger’s side shouldn’t be an issue, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the driver’s line of sight. However, to limit the problem, our professional recommendation is to take your vehicle to the nearest repair and replacement service as soon as possible.

MOUNTING COSTS

You should keep in mind that even when the crack is significantly long, repairs are still an option—given that it’s only superficial. Ignoring it will only cause you more headache and cost more money—as it spreads further and deep. There’d be no other choice but to replace it at much higher costs at some point.

Call Greenshield Mania

If your windshield is damaged with a chip, small crack, bullseye or spider crack – call Greenshield Manaia to have the windshield repaired. If you have any questions about the type of damage to your windshield, be sure to give us a call at +(254) 79678,6203 or fill out our online quote request. We’ll help determine if it’s possible to repair or if, based on your description, it would be safer to replace the windshield.