It is not unusual that a hard object would be picked up by the tyres of a vehicle in front of us and flung onto our cars. It would be safe to say that most of us had that moment of scare when a stone was ejected from a tyre and hit the windscreen of our car with that loud and resonating “Clack!” More often than not, there is no visible damage, however, sometimes a little starburst forms, indicating that the windscreen is cracked.
Although the windscreen may seem fine, even with the tiny cracks in it, one should soonest find a competent workshop to have the windscreen either fix or repaired. With insurances offering this as an option, one may not even have to consider the cash-flow, but would he wise to have this hurried along.
Windshields used in cars are no longer simple glass panes. Tempered for safety and equipped with UV protection, they are marvels of technology. When they shatter, they shatter for a good reason, and they shatter completely. This is a safety feature so that there are no razor-sharp pieces of glass sticking into the path of exiting the vehicle through the windscreen’s frame. Glass fragments also crumble in a manner that reduces the sharpness of the edges. Other windscreens may be hard to shatter as a protective layer sandwiched in the glass ensures it remains in one piece.
A small crack in the windscreen may not seem all that dramatic, but in fact, it can be a serious safety issue. Sunlight or lights from oncoming traffic at night will be turned into hazardous glare because cracks and chips scatter light and bend it. This can easily obstruct the driver's view and reduce visibility, which can lead to dangerous conditions. Jagged edges of a crack act like a prism, dispersing light rays in multiple directions. Even when this is not so severe that the driver’s vision would not be impaired, some of the light may enter the driver's eyes, causing discomfort, reduced focus on the road. This could even increase the risk of accidents.
Minor damage can quickly worsen, compromising the windshield's structural integrity and safety features. The first impact of a stone hitting the windshield may not destroy the entire pane, however, the next following may as the glass may have suffered diminished structural integrity. Should one require a windscreen to be replaced, German Motors can assist in this repair procedure. Do drop by to have the damage assessed if you experience this kind of damage to your glass.
