Will You Get a Fine if You Don’t Repair Your Windshield Crack?

According to the Arizona windshield crack repair law, it is illegal to drive with a cracked windshield if the damage obstructs the driver’s vision. Under the law, any crack which is wider than ¼ of an inch is considered significant enough to impair your vision while driving. But that is the only specification regarding the size of the crack. The law doesn’t specify the type of damage.

The more important question is how much is fine. If an officer pulls you over and you have a windshield crack that is wider than ¼ of an inch, you can get a fine between $100 and $150.

Some drivers might find this law excessive, but when you think about it, it’s there for your (and others’) safety. Even if the choice to drive with a cracked windshield is your own, by doing so, you are not only endangering your own life but the life of your passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, etc.

Driving With a Cracked Windshield – Safety Risks

One of the main safety risks a cracked windshield imposes is that it can be distracting. Not that it just impairs your vision, but you will also pay attention to the crack from time to time, rather than paying attention to the road. And it doesn’t take much (a split of a second) and you can miss a potentially dangerous event.

If you get into an accident and you collide with another car, the already damaged window can shatter, collapse in on the passenger, and injure them.

Car windshields play a huge role in the integrity of the vehicle, about 45%-60%. And when the shape and size are compromised, it can’t distribute the force equally thus it breaks, shatters inwards, and can possibly injure you and your passengers.

When in top shape, the windshield should stay in one piece in the event of a collision. The laminated glass will break but it won’t shatter and injure anyone. However, once the structural integrity of the windshield is already compromised, you can’t really rely on its role.

Repair or a Ticket

The possible scenarios described above might seem frightening, but the important thing is to understand how crucial are windshield repairs and replacements. Many people think that a small chip or crack is not a big deal, but sooner or later, that can turn into a bigger crack due to an effect called “spider-webbing”. It’s in the nature of the crack to spread and they never remain static and small.

Cracks tend to spread towards the edges of the windshield (this is further accelerated by dust, debris, temperature spikes, etc.) and once they reach the edge, the structural integrity of the windshield is severely compromised.

You might think that an auto glass repair at the beginning (while the crack is still small) is a more expensive option than having a ticket. But think about it this way. You may save some money now, but in the long run, if you don’t repair the crack soon, it will only get worse and it will cost you more. Auto glass and windshield damages can easily be solved by an expert team of auto glass repair technicians.

If you noticed cracks or chips on your windshield, contact Auto Glass Express today and schedule an appointment. Don’t want for it to turn into a big problem or to get you fined.