The windscreen is arguably one of the most important parts of the car. It plays a huge role in ensuring that there's visibility and that you have a clear view of what's ahead of you. It's also a protective barrier against wind, water, bugs, and even rocks when you're driving. The windshield is made up of laminated safety glass to ensure that it doesn't shatter when hit. Unless hit by a large object, windshields can take small hits and still ensure the safety of those in the car. However, when the windshield breaks when you're driving, you have to act quickly so as not to escalate the issue. Here's what to do when your windshield breaks while driving.

Do Not Panic, Pull Over Slowly

The first step is not to panic. A small issue can escalate into a fatal accident once you panic. Panicking may lead to swerving into oncoming traffic or even losing control of the car. Don't use the emergency brake but instead slow down and find a nice and safe place to stop. You should, however, not continue driving with a broken windshield.

Assess the Damage

After you have pulled over, it's time to assess the damage. Depending on the cause of the windshield breakage, the damage will differ in degrees. For instance, a breakage that's caused by an aggressive bug might differ from one caused by a rock thrown by the tires of a car ahead of you. You should also assess your visibility after the breakage. If it's just a crack, you might be able to drive to the nearest car window repair shop to have the crack fixed.

Call for Help

At times, the damage to the windshield is too great to keep moving. If the damage tampers with your ability to view the road, stop and call for help. You may call your nearest car window repair shop or a towing company to take you to a safe place to have the windshield repaired. If you drive with a shattered windshield, you're likely to cause more grievous accidents as your view is obscured.

Schedule Repair

It's common for people to keep on driving with cracked windshields as long as it doesn't obscure their view. However, no matter how small a crack is, it keeps expanding with time. According to Newsday, windshield cracks greater than 12 inches long necessitate a windshield replacement. It's therefore wise to call a car window repair expert to fix your tiny cracks before they grow.

The windshield plays an important role in the car. When it's damaged, the safety of the occupants of the car is compromised. It's therefore important to ensure that it's quickly repaired. Don't drive with a cracked windshield. Give us a call today at Low Cost Auto Glass today for all your windshield repair needs.