When it comes to driving, there are a lot of potential hazards to be aware of. One of the most important but often overlooked is the condition of your windshield. A damaged or broken windshield can severely impair your vision and put you at risk of an accident.
Here are six hazards of driving with a damaged or broken windshield:
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Reduced Visibility
A cracked or chipped windshield can obstruct your view of the road and make it more difficult to see potential hazards. This can obviously lead to accidents, as you may not see another vehicle or an obstacle in the road in time to avoid it. In addition, if you have to make a sudden stop, the impact can cause your windshield to shatter, further reducing your visibility.
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Impaired Driving
A damaged windshield can also impair your driving ability. Cracks and chips can cause distortions in your vision, making it difficult to see clearly. This can make it hard to judge distances and react in time to potential hazards. In addition, a cracked windshield can cause the sun to glare off of it, making it even harder to see.
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Increased Risk of Accidents
Because of the reduced visibility and impaired driving ability that a damaged windshield can cause, you are at an increased risk of getting into an accident. In fact, statistics show that drivers with damaged windshields are three times more likely to be involved in an accident than drivers with undamaged windshields.
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Injuries
If you are involved in an accident with a damaged windshield, you are more likely to be injured. The reason for this is that a windshield provides structural support to the car in a front-end collision. When it is damaged, that support is compromised, and the passengers are at a greater risk of being injured.
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Fatalities
While injuries are a serious concern, the most serious hazard of driving with a damaged windshield is the increased risk of fatalities. In fact, statistics show that windshield damage is a factor in about 30% of all car accident fatalities.
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Costly Repairs
If you do get into an accident because of a damaged windshield, the repairs can be quite costly. In addition to the cost of replacing the windshield, you may also have to pay for repairs to the car itself if it is damaged in the accident. These can leave you with financial burdens that will hurt your financial standing, and that’s something you don’t want to deal with.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of serious hazards associated with driving with a damaged or broken windshield. In addition to that, leaving the windshield broken and not repairing it can still lead to other consequences, such as the damage getting worse over time, making it even more expensive and time-consuming to fix. So, if you notice that your windshield has cracked, don’t waste time. Get it fixed or replaced right away to ensure that you are safe on the road at all times.
Best Choice Auto Glass offers various services to meet any auto glass needs for different vehicles. If you are looking for Tulsa windshield repair, reach out to us today!
