Is Driving With a Cracked Windscreen Really Dangerous?

Is it dangerous to drive with a cracked windscreen? We’ve all been there; something hits your windscreen and causes a small crack. Over time, it increases out of control, spreading further and further across the windscreen. 

Oftentimes, owners of cars with cracked windscreens continue driving with their cars with the belief that it’s nothing and will not affect their road safety.

We see this in Nigeria all the time where car owners continue driving with their cars even after long months of the windscreen being damaged.

But, is it truly safe to drive with a cracked windscreen?

Should I Drive With a Cracked Windscreen?

According to experts, in general, driving with small cracks in a windscreen is not dangerous. However, as the crack spreads, it’s essential to get it replaced as soon as possible. There are two reasons large cracks and damaged windscreens are dangerous.

Firstly, a cracked windscreen is a weakened one. You’re far less protected from the next flying object that comes to hit your vehicle after the initial crack. Whether that’s an animal crossing the road, another vehicle, or something else, it can be dangerous.

Once cracked, the integrity of the windscreen is compromised. Moreover, hitting something or another vehicle could easily result in the glass shattering all over the driver and passengers. 

Secondly, decreased visibility of any kind while driving is a bad thing. Cracked windscreens may only reduce visibility in small spaces, but that’ll increase. You never know when something will be perfectly aligned with a crack or blind spot, causing a crash.

Why Won’t Cracked Windscreen Protect the Driver and Passengers?

windscreens are made with two layers of glass laminated together. They’re designed this way for an excellent reason. If something causes one layer to crack or break, the laminate and inner layer of glass keep the windscreen together.

As a result, in the event of broken glass, it won’t enter the vehicle or shatter all over the road. Once that first layer is broken, the second layer is exposed. 

Can a Car Windscreen Shatter?

Once a windscreen has a few cracks or chips, the entire structure is weakened. Moisture, bumps and dips in the road, and temperature changes worsen the damage. Factors like these cause the glass to expand and contract, stressing the weakened glass.

If owners let the damage go too long, it can eventually shatter. Fortunately, the windscreen is designed to keep the glass from falling into the car. Most modern vehicles use strong adhesives on the glass combined with lamination, which allows the glass to stay inside the frame.

Why Should I Replace My Windscreen Instead of Fixing It?

In the case of a shattered windscreen, owners must replace it as soon as possible. Additionally, the windscreen must be of the same kind and quality as the original version of the vehicle. If your windscreen has been damaged, it’s best to call an expert as soon as possible.

In many cases, people get small chips from small accidents. Most of the time, more minor chips like these can be repaired. However, a larger break will almost always require a complete windscreen replacement. Unfortunately, breaks that big instantly weaken the windscreen too much, so it’s dangerous to attempt fixing it instead of replacing it.

Conclusion

Fixing a small windscreen chip as soon as possible can save you money. A small windscreen repair is far less expensive than a total replacement. While it isn’t immediately dangerous to drive with a cracked windscreen, it worsens over time. Driving with a cracked windscreen gets more dangerous with every bump hit and every temperature fluctuation.