A crack or chip in your windscreen is annoying. But is it dangerous?
A damaged windscreen is a nuisance and may not look great, but we’re not talking aesthetics here. The truth is that continuing to drive when your windscreen has been damaged can be extremely risky. And dangerous.
Your windscreen isn’t only there so that people can see where they’re driving. It plays a hugely important role in maintaining the structural integrity of the car as well as protecting the people in the vehicle in the event of an impact.
Here’s why you shouldn’t drive with a cracked windscreen:
Greater risk of the roof caving in.
In the event of a roll-over, a structurally sound windshield helps to prevent the vehicle’s roof from caving in and potentially causing serious injury to passengers. You could be putting lives at risk if you drive with a damaged windscreen because the vehicle’s in-built safety structures will be compromised.
Your car’s windscreen is important for impact dissipation.
In other words, when there’s a front-end collision, it transfers the force of the impact down to the chassis, helping to protect the passengers.
Impaired visibility.
A small chip or crack in the windscreen can spread quickly as a result of temperature changes, driving over bumpy roads etc. Your view may then be obstructed and you may even have a blind spot as a result of a large crack. Having an uninterrupted view of the road is one of the most important aspects of road safety, so you could be putting yourself, your passengers and other road users at risk if you continue to drive with a damaged windscreen.
Airbag issues.
Strange as it seems, there’s a link between the effectiveness of an airbag and the state of a windscreen. If the glass has been weakened because it has a crack or chip in it, it may not be strong enough to support the impact of the airbag when it deploys. The airbag may not be able to its job properly because it wouldn’t get the ‘pushback’ or compression from the windscreen necessary for it to properly protect the person in the car.
A windscreens act as a barrier.
Should anyone not be wearing a seatbelt when the vehicle is involved in an accident, the windscreen can prevent them from being ejected. However, if the glass is damaged, it may not be able to provide the necessary protection.
Clearly, a cracked or chipped windscreen is far more than just an annoying cosmetic issue. There can be extremely serious consequences of continuing to drive when the glass has been compromised and it’s simply not worth taking the chance. Especially when windscreen repairs and windscreen replacements can be done quickly, easily and in a location of your choice.
A windscreen needs to be fixed as soon as possible after a crack or chip has appeared in order to protect you and your passengers and keep them as safe as possible.
If you’re driving with a damaged windscreen, get in touch with Autoscreens. They are one of the favourites for quality windscreen repairs in Perth and with their decades of experience and mobile 24/7 units, they can sort out any autoglass problem in no time at all – at your convenience.
Call our friendly team on 0400 200 086 or get in touch to book an appointment for a fast, efficient and affordable windscreen repair or replacement.
Jason Squire started Autoscreens in 2010. With over 35 years of experience gained in both the UK and Australia, the company is well established as a leading provider of windscreen replacement and autoglass repairs in Perth.
His journey to becoming a certified repairer license holder status with DMIRS (and business repair license MRB3703) began many years ago. He was born and brought up in the UK – the country where his long career in the automotive industry began. In common with many of the world’s best tradespeople it all started with an apprenticeship. For Jason, this was in vehicle bodybuilding and a specialisation in vehicle conversions.
He followed that up with several additional professional qualifications, including a Grade A Vehicle Body Building Certificate from the Road Transport Industry, a GQA level 2 in NVQ Automotive Glazing and a Level 2 qualification in Joining Materials by Welding from the UK Engineer Training Authority.
During his studies, Jason was also a part-time volunteer in the Royals signals with the Reserve Territorial Army. Between 1991 and 1995, Jason completed his Phase One Signallers Course with the Royal Armoured Corps and was awarded a Certificate of Trade Proficiency as a Territorial Army Driver Electrician Class 3. Training exercises took him all over Europe. He also represented the Signals in Rugby.
From there, he joined the armed forces on a full-time basis with the Queens Royal Lancers and continued to impress with his leadership skills and willingness to broaden his skillset, during which he lived in Germany. In 1996, he graduated from the Queens Royal Lancer Leadership Academy where he was named best recruit. His time with the Queens Royal Lancers he qualified as Tank Driver, Crew Medic and Gunner.
In 1999, Jason left the armed forces to join RAC Auto Windscreens. His skillset enabled him to fast-track his career to base supervisor and lead technician working with premiere dealerships in Crewe, Cheshire.
He also continued to volunteer in a number of different areas, including as a first responder with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and a scout leader with the Scout Association.
He relocated to Australia in 2008 with his young family and spent his first two years down under as a head technician for a national windscreen company.
However, with all his experience, extensive qualifications and his abiding passion for the automotive industry, it was inevitable that he would start his own company and make his mark as an industry leader.
He started Autoscreens in 2010 and has grown the business into the leading windscreen repair and replacement company in Perth, servicing both domestic and commercial customers. Autoscreens has a certified Motor Vehicle Repairers Licence MRB3703 issued by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.