It happens to drivers all the time and without warning. A rock or piece of debris is flung from under the tire of the car ahead and the driver hears the unmistakable sound of glass breaking. While the initial damage may be just a tiny chip, motorists who have experienced glass damage from a rock chip know that in just a short time that tiny chip will become a jagged, ugly crack extending far across the wind shield. While it may only seem like an annoyance to drive a car with a cracked or chipped windshield, drivers may not always understand that it can actually be dangerous to every occupant of their vehicle to do so.
Damage to the windshield can weaken the structural strength of the entire vehicle
Modern vehicles are constantly being redesigned to make them more fuel efficient. In order to do this, car companies often choose metals and components that weigh less than the ones used in older designs to help boost the number of miles per gallon rating. As part of these improvements, each part of the car's structure must be carefully integrated to help them work together to ensure that the overall structural strength of the vehicle remains with a safe zone.
This concept become easier to understand by comparing vintage car models to current ones. The heavier, larger vintage models often had windshields that were nearly vertical in design. Today's vehicles have more laid back windshields, with the curves of the windshield continuing the curves of the vehicle's body components. This type of modern design allows the entire surface of the vehicle to work together to absorb crash impacts with less risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. However, if one of the components becomes damaged, like a crack in the windshield, the ability of the entire vehicle to resist life-threatening damage is reduced.
Make windshield repairs quickly to lessen the need for complete windshield replacement
While windshield replacement may be needed for some rock chips, drivers who arrange to have a windshield repair specialist examine the damage as soon as possible can often have the chip safely repaired, instead. By using high quality bonding agents and modern tools, windshield chips can often be filled and sealed, allowing the car to be driven safely without the cost of a full replacement.
Windshield repair and replacement professionals also make it easy for drivers to have damaged windshields assessed and repaired easily. In fact, many of these professionals work as mobile units, going to the homes or offices of their customers to repair or replace damaged windshields.