Ever find yourself in this situation? You are driving along carefully, not exceeding speed limits or anything, and suddenly a pebble or a small object hurls itself at your windshield and a crack is formed. Since the crack is rather small, minuscule really, and does not seem to affect your field of vision, you leave it be, thinking it is okay to drive around with it.
This kind of an occurrence is not that rare. People driving around with a cracked windshield, thinking that it is not that big a deal is a pretty common thing. What a lot of people actually do not realize is that a cracked windshield, no matter how tiny or insignificant the damage may seem, is actually a dangerous thing.
While a small crack may seem insignificant, it can actually be the start of a big problem if not taken care of. When you find a small crack in your windshield, what you need to do is to consult with a windshield repair expert and have them fix this for you. This usually takes only a small amount of time and is something that should be considered in order to prevent the possibility of the damage growing.
Yes, a small crack in your windshield can grow and due to a number of reasons. One of the reasons why small cracks in windshields grow is due to changing weather, with alternating hot and cold days expanding and contracting your windshield slightly. With a small crack already present, and your glass moving due to temperature variations, chances are, these small cracks will stretch and grow bigger.
When this happens (or even when it does not), the bigger problem with cracked windshields emerges, and that is the loss of its structural integrity. One of the purposes of your windshield is to actually provide you with additional protection should an accident occur. Aside from keeping bugs, dirt and the wind out of your eyes while driving, a windshield also acts as a barrier between you and the possibility of you flying through it.
A windshield actually works as a backstop for your airbags. When these are deployed during a collision, the windshield supports it, making the person bounce back into the car, and not have them flying out the front. If your windshield is compromised, there is a huge possibility that when your airbag is deployed, the windshield won’t be able to offer the support it is supposed to offer and it will shatter, which will then see you flying out onto the road in front of you.
Another reason why windshield repair should be considered when a crack is found is to help prevent the need for auto glass replacement. Fixing a small crack can actually save you a lot and may negate the need for a windshield replacement due to the fact that the crack will be generally gone. If the crack is somewhat bigger though, windshield repair may not be enough and you may have to get the windshield replaced.
You should also know that driving with a cracked windshield is not only dangerous but is also against the law. While regulations may be different from one state to another, it is generally illegal in most states in the US to drive a car with a cracked windshield. This is because you are not only endangering yourself but also the people you have in your car and the people on the road too due to your impeded vision because of your cracked windshield.