Chips and cracks in your windshield can happen at any moment and are usually very inconvenient. Damage can be caused by many things, including accidents and rocks being thrown up into your vehicle by other cars on the road. However, your windshield is a very important part of your vehicle, and you should not delay in getting it fixed right away in the event of a chip or crack. It is a good idea to call for auto glass repair in Upland, CA, so that you can have the damage assessed and taken care of in the correct manner. Here are a few reasons you should not delay in getting that crack fixed.
Legal Trouble
In many areas of the United States, it is illegal to drive with a crack in your windshield. It is such a big deal because a crack of any size can impair your vision and cause an accident. The National
Highway Traffic Safety
Administration announces new laws and regulations for driver safety on a regular basis in order to keep the roads safe. Save yourself the hassle of getting pulled over and risking a hefty fine and get that crack repaired right away.
Cracks Expanding
Once a crack starts, it can spread very quickly. Even small chips can expand if there is a change in temperature or if stress is placed on the area. Depending on how large the crack is, it might not be reparable, and a costly windshield replacement will be necessary instead. If you have insurance that will cover the repair, you might be spared the bill, but it is never worth the risk to put it off and see how long you can drive with it before it gets worse.
Impeded Vision
A crack that runs through your field of vision may not be very visible in ideal daytime weather situations, but at night, it can become a whole different ballgame. The light from oncoming vehicles can be fragmented by cracks in the glass, making it difficult to see and putting you at high risk for accident and injury.Depending on the size of the crack, you may even miss seeing other cars change lanes, potholes in the road in front of you, and even pedestrians in the street, which are not things you want to drive straight in to.
Structural Integrity
Your windshield offers a large amount of support to other parts of the car, especially the roof. When the windshield is damaged, the integrity of this support is broken. In the event of a heavy load being placed on the roof of your vehicle, like in a crash or roll-over accident, there is a risk that it will cave in, causing unfortunate injuries. The windshield also offers support to the airbag system when it deploys. If the windshield is damaged or is not replaced properly, the airbag may not deploy in the event of an accident, which can be a matter of life and death in extreme cases. There is no reason that you or your loved ones should be put at risk simply by neglecting to fix a cracked windshield.
Unexpected Shattering
Under extreme circumstances, your windshield can actually shatter or become seriously deformed. If it is raining or weather conditions are rough, a shattered windshield can be especially difficult to deal with. If you are driving at high speeds on the freeway, there is a high probability that you will get into an accident in the event of your windshield suddenly shattering. Put the safety of yourself and others first by making an appointment for auto glass repair in Upland, CA, as soon as a chip or crack happens so that you can avoid unnecessary injury.
