In the event of a rollover, the windshield prevents the roof from collapsing inward into the passenger compartment. In some vehicles, the windshield can provide up to 50% of the auto’s rollover strength.

According to the NHTSA, rollover crashes account for a mere 3% of all collisions, while that same small percentage is responsible for 31% of total vehicular fatalities. The administration also explains how, in 2000, almost 10,000 vehicles were involved in fatal rollover crashes and that 84% of those accidents involved only one vehicle. In 2001, 54% of all single vehicle crash deaths occurred as a result of rollovers.

These figures make it clear that having a structurally sound windshield is one of the best measures you can take to protect yourself from serious injury or death in the event of a rollover accident. When your windshield has become damaged, seek the expertise of an experienced auto glass repair technician as soon as possible.

The auto glass found on your vehicle plays a very important role for both you and your vehicle. The windshield in particular provides important structural support for all vehicles. In the event of an accident, the windshield is designed to take the kinetic energy from the impact and disperse it evenly around the passenger compartment of the vehicle, protecting the occupants. Windshields are a key component to the structural integrity of vehicles. In many vehicles, the windshield can provide up to 50% of the passenger compartment’s structural support when involved in a rollover accident.

Besides the windshield, the remaining windows of your vehicle, including the rear window, are constructed of tempered glass. This tempered glass is manufactured using rapid heating and cooling methods, which strengthens the glass. When the structural stability of tempered glass is compromised, it does not shatter; rather, it breaks into small, pebble-like pieces which are dull, and do not cut like shattered glass. This helps prevent additional injuries caused by sharp shards of glass in the event of an accident.

The windshields of all vehicles are constructed from a type of glass known as laminated glass. This type of glass is different than what is used for the rest of your vehicle’s windows. Used since 1927, laminated glass is created by placing a thin sheet of adhesive plastic between two layers of glass. This transparent plastic is called polyvinyl butyrate, or PVB, and is infused with the glass using extreme pressure and heat. The PVB sheet holds the glass together in the event of impact, and prevents the windshield from shattering. This helps prevent further injury to the occupants that may be caused from the shattered glass.