Windshield replacement safety, an issue often ignored by American motorists, has recently won the attention and support of one of the nation“s highest profile consumer campaigners.
In early November…
Windshield replacement safety, an issue often ignored by American motorists, has recently won the attention and support of one of the nation“s highest profile consumer campaigners. In early November 2005, Ralph Nader called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a consumer advisory on “the importance of windshield integrity, the relationship to roof strength and rollover crashes, proper replacement procedures and (industry replacement) standards” to create a more informed motoring public. “We welcome Mr. Nader“s interest, and support his call for the federal government to issue a consumer advisory”, says Leo Cyr, vice president, auto glass division of the National Glass Association, and executive director of the association“s Coalition for Auto Glass Safety and Public Awareness (CASPA). “More than 10 million Americans replace damaged windshields every year without giving a thought to the skill of the person replacing their windshield”. In a 2004 CASPA survey of consumers, 82% of respondents named windshield safety as important, but none could identify even one of the vital roles the windshield plays in a vehicle“s safety system. In fact, modern automobile design relies greatly on the windshield to support the roof during a rollover crash. The windshield is also critical to the correct functioning of the airbags. Improper replacement of a windshield can also cause the glass to detach from the vehicle in a crash, putting the driver and passengers at risk of being thrown out of the vehicle. Nader“s letter to the NHTSA“s acting director, Jacqueline Glassman, states ” motorists should be assured that the roof strength of a vehicle on the road today is not unnecessarily compromised as the result of a windshield replacement.” “Dangerous shortcuts” such as “inappropriate adhesive applications, shortened drive-away times and improper glass handling techniques” result in “an unknown number of weak windshield installations which will not even protect occupants from the first impact in the first half roll,” Nader“s letter says. Although unsafe windshield replacements have been documented by investigative reporters, “accurate estimates of injuries due to deficient windshield installation are unavailable due to the highly specific nature of this uncollected data,” Nader states. “No one knows precisely how often replaced windshields fail in crashes,” Cyr affirms. “What we do know is unsafe windshield replacement is a risk factor that could be eliminated through greater consumer awareness. When consumers know they have reason to be concerned that their windshield be replaced properly and professionally, they will use that knowledge to recognize and reject service providers who use the “dangerous shortcuts“ to which Mr. Nader refers”. The National Glass Association recommends that motorists familiarize themselves with the industry“s Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard and select an auto glass replacement company that offers NGA certified technicians.