Fix a Cracked Windshield

Does your vehicle have a cracked windshield? While the exact number is unknown, automotive experts say that millions of vehicles on the road have a cracked windshield. Whether it's a small hairline fracture or a complete eggshell, though, you shouldn't let it go unnoticed. Driving a vehicle with a cracked windshield is a bad idea for several reasons, some of which are described below.

Increased Risk of Collision

A cracked windshield will reduce your visibility while driving, thereby increasing your risk of collision. Statistics show 2 million drivers in the United States are seriously injured in a vehicle collision each year. Vehicle collisions can occur from a number of reasons, but many are the result of poor or limited visibility. If your vehicle's windshield is cracked, you won't be able to see as clearly through it, resulting in an increased risk of collision.

It Will Only Get Worse

The longer you wait to repair your vehicle's cracked windshield, the worse it will get. The temperature differences between the inside of your vehicle and the outside will cause the crack to gradually expand. It may not happen overnight, but the crack will eventually become larger and more prominent.

It Could Be Illegal

Whether you realize it or not, you could be breaking the law by driving a vehicle with a cracked windshield. While different states have their own driving laws, most prohibit motorists from driving a vehicle with a cracked windshield if the crack restricts their vision. You won't be carried away to jail for driving with a cracked windshield, but you could be fined and forced to repair your vehicle's damaged windshield by a specific date.

It's Easy to Repair

Repairing a cracked windshield is a relatively simple process. While some motorists assume their only option is to replace their vehicle's windshield, this isn't the case. There are do-it-yourself kits available that are designed specifically for repairing minor cracks in glass windshields. The kits typically contain an adhesive-filled syringe or tube. After cleaning the crack and allowing it to dry, you fill it with the adhesive 

A repair kit won't necessarily make a crack invisible. It will, however, prevent the crack from spreading. The adhesive acts as a binding agent that holds the glass together.

The bottom line is that you shouldn't drive a vehicle with a cracked windshield. Even if the crack is minor, it can increase your risk of collision while also leaving suspecting to fines.