Is It Ok to Drive with a Cracked Windshield?
Is it OK to drive with a cracked windshield? The short answer is no. Your car windshield does more than give you a window to the driving world. It plays a crucial role in safe driving. The car windshield supports the structural integrity of your vehicle, protects you from debris, gives your car’s Advanced Driver Safety cameras a clear view, and provides a stable surface to support your airbag deployment. Is It OK to drive with a cracked windshield?
Unfortunately, this hard-working glass faces several hazards. Pebbles tossed by passing vehicles, debris from a car ahead of you, and even cold weather can cause windshield cracks. Even a small crack can turn into significant safety and financial problems. Here’s what you need to know about a cracked windshield and what it can cost you.
Immediate Costs of Windshield Repair
When you hear that unhappy crack of a pebble hitting your windshield, your first thought is probably about the expense. Exactly how much will a cracked windshield cost you?
Small chips and cracks can usually be fixed. How much the repair shops charge depends on a few factors, including the location of the crack, the severity of the crack, how complex the damage is, and where the service is done. For example, a crack at the edge of the windshield is usually more expensive to repair. In general, the bill usually runs between $50 and $150.
Depending on your insurance company, however, you may be able to pay much less to get your damaged windshield back in shape. Comprehensive car insurance policies often cover repairs to cracked windshields. The repairs may only cost you a small deductible or even nothing at all.
Long-Term Consequences of Ignoring a Cracked Windshield
If you don’t address a small crack right away, it can lead to more serious problems. Even small chips can spread. The vibrations of the road and fluctuations in temperatures can cause the damage to expand quickly. Windshields aren’t just a simple pane of glass; they’re layered and tempered. The further windshield damage expands the more complex it becomes.
When the windshield cracks spread, it can quickly become too extensive to repair. What could have been a simple, inexpensive fix turns into a full windshield replacement, setting you back \$350 to \$550.
Most of all, a damaged windshield isn’t safe. It’s a part of the structure of your car, and if cracks weaken it, it won’t support the frame in the event of an accident. Cracks also impair the driver’s view, which increases your risk of accidents. Depending on where the windshield crack is, it can even cause your windshield to shatter suddenly. This is very dangerous, especially if you’re on the highway when it happens.
Legal Consequences and Financial Implications
Federal regulations prohibit driving with damage to your windshield. They specify that you can’t drive a car with cracks that are larger than 3/4 of an inch across, have multiple cracks within three inches of each other, intersecting cracks, or windshield cracks that impair the driver’s view of the road.
On top of that, there is a range of state laws about this issue. You can get an expensive ticket if you don’t follow the local windshield laws. Many states have regulations about driving with a damaged windshield.
For example, according to California traffic law, it’s illegal to drive a motor vehicle with a cracked windshield, especially if it obstructs the driver’s vision. A ticket can cost you up to $200.
Another expense to consider is the increased risk of accidents. Cracks cause poor visibility, which is never a good idea when you’re driving. Large cracks make it hard to see clearly, which is a big safety concern. Even a minor fender-bender can trigger higher insurance premiums, on top of repair costs.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Repair Now vs. Replace Later
Repairing a small chip before it spreads is easier than replacing a broken windshield, and it costs much less. You could pay more than $500 for a full windshield replacement, instead of possibly spending nothing on a quick repair, depending on your insurance company.
More importantly, fixing your windshield quickly keeps you safer on the road. A compromised windshield obstructs the driver’s line of vision, putting you at risk for accidents. An intact windshield is also more stable, providing structural support to protect car owners and their passengers.
Fix your cracked windshield right away
Getting a small crack or rock chip in your windshield is frustrating, but you can stop it from becoming a huge problem. Prompt attention to windshield damage prevents costly repairs and safety hazards.
Professional repair of damage to your car’s windshield right away prevents financial and safety problems down the road. Protect yourself from costly consequences and take care of small cracks before they become big problems.
For efficient, affordable cracked windshield repairs, contact Very Smooth Auto Glass. We provide mobile auto glass services for the Lincoln, Roseville, Rocklin, and Granite Bay areas. We’re proud to offer excellent customer service and seamless repairs.
For more information or to schedule a repair for your damaged windshield, call us at 916-899-9215. From a small crack to a windshield replacement, we can get you back on the road quickly.