As you commute around Texas to work and leisure activities, there is a chance of flying debris causing damage to your vehicle’s windows, including your windshield. Similarly, this can occur while your car is stationary, leading to damage like chips and cracks. As a result, you may wonder if you can legally drive your vehicle around Texas with a cracked windshield.
The answer is simple. You can. Thanks to specific federal and state laws, you can drive around in Texas, even with a cracked windshield, if it doesn’t obscure your vision or become a hazard. However, simply because you can doesn’t mean you should.
So, read on to discover more about the legalities surrounding driving around Texas with a cracked windshield, four reasons to repair a cracked windshield, and how an auto repairer like Vic Auto Service can assist with cracked windshields.
Driving Your Vehicle With A Cracked Or Chipped Windshield In Texas – The Legalities
Driving around Texas with a cracked windshield is not explicitly illegal, as no laws require immediate fixation or replacement of your windshield.
However, as mentioned previously, specific federal and state laws still require drivers to maintain a clear windshield view free of any obstructions. This regulation for obstruction-less view means drivers are prohibited from limiting their windshield visibility with tags, stickers, chips, and cracks.
So, regardless of whether your windshield is cracked or chipped, you won’t face any penalties or fail an inspection as long as your visibility is not obstructed. Yet, if your visibility is blocked, you must repair or replace your windshield immediately before passing a vehicle inspection in Texas – If not, you will face penalties and fines.
Three Reasons Why You Should Repair Or Replace Your Cracked Windshield In Texas
Now that you know the legalities surrounding driving with a cracked windshield in Texas, you’re likely wondering why you should repair it if it isn’t explicitly illegal.
If you’re in need of convincing, here are three compelling reasons why you should consider repairing or replacing your cracked windshield:
- Visual Impairment
Your car’s windshield provides a clear, unobstructed view of the road as you drive. However, if your windshield has a crack or chip and something or someone appears in the blind spot the crack or chip created, you could be inviting the possibility of an accident. This could lead to injuries, damages, lawsuits, and loss of life.
- Chips or Cracks Can Become Larger And Spread
The repair cost is relatively low when your vehicle’s windshield has a minor chip or crack. However, if you ignore minor issues, then even the simple act of switching your car’s AC or heater on could lead the crack to widen, thus inviting the possibility of your windshield shattering.
Similarly, bumpy roads, slight vibrations, and even shifts in air pressure could all contribute to the spreading of your car’s cracked or chipped windshield. If you have a minor crack or chip that has worsened, leading to a large crack or chip forming, it may be high time to replace your windshield entirely.
In this case, speaking with an auto service expert at Vic Auto Service is your best bet in finding a quality service for an affordable price.
- It Is Dangerous In The Event Of A Car Crash
Having a damaged windshield in your car can significantly reduce its ability to protect you in the event of a collision. When involved in a crash, the broken glass from a damaged windshield or improperly deploying airbags can lead to more severe injuries.
To ensure the proper function of your airbags, a sturdy backdrop provided by an intact windshield is crucial. Moreover, in the unfortunate event of a flip-over accident, a compromised windshield can undermine the structural integrity of your vehicle, increasing the risk of roof collapse due to the windshield’s inability to bear the intended weight.
Speak To Vic Auto Service For Top Quality Vehicle Windshield Repairs Or Replacements
Now that you know it isn’t explicitly illegal to drive around Texas with a cracked or chipped windshield, you may be thinking you don’t need to rush off to do that repair or replacement.
However, based on the information provided in this blog, repairing or replacing your damaged windshield before it can lead to bodily harm, costly repairs, or complete replacement will save you time and money in the long run while ensuring your safety.
So, if you notice any minor chips or cracks in your car’s windshield, don’t put its repair on the back burner. Instead, speak to Vic Auto Service today! Vics Auto Service offers quality auto glass repair to prevent further chips or cracks from spreading. In certain instances, we can also take care of any initial damage without removing the original glass.
