When we think of vehicle safety features, we tend to think of the brakes, steering, seatbelts and airbags. The windscreen, however, is also an important safety feature that needs to be seen to by an expert if it’s damaged in any way. While we tend to overlook the important role windscreens play when they’re functioning properly, if they’re damaged, there’s often no way of ignoring the problem as they can radically affect our entire driving experience.
Cracked or damaged windscreens impede visibility
The most notable effect that damaged windscreens have on the driving experience is limiting visibility. While a small stone chip may not impede your ability to see the road ahead, a large crack can prevent you from viewing the road in its entirety and can also alter your perception of distance. That puts you at greater risk of an accident.
Windscreens are integral to chassis strength
In the event of a crash, the windscreen is integral to the strength of the chassis and provides up to 30% of the integrity of the chassis in head-on collisions and 60% of the cabin roof in rollovers. A damaged windscreen isn’t able to provide the same integrity as an undamaged windscreen and leaves the vehicle and its occupants at greater risk.
Windscreens affect airbag deployment
It’s also important to note that windscreens can affect airbag deployment. When an airbag is deployed in the event of an accident, it inflates upward towards the windscreen before it inflates toward the driver or passenger, so the windscreen needs to accommodate a significant amount of force from the inside if it is to deploy and inflate properly. A damaged windscreen could affect the manner in which the airbag is deployed and leave the vehicle occupant at risk.
Whatever the issue with your windscreen, the local specialists at Raymond Terrace Windscreen Services are here to help. Call us today for all your windscreen related needs on 0427 833 269.