From the early days of motoring, windscreens have been a vital safety addition, not only stopping many accidents but also providing a significant level of protection to the driver and passengers in the unfortunate event of one.

You are legally required to ensure that your windscreen is in a condition where you can clearly see through it, but it is important to ensure it is undamaged for many other safety reasons.

Whilst visibility is an obvious factor in providing safety, as well as protecting you and your passengers from debris, insects and flying objects, a windscreen is also a fundamental part of your safety and survival when in an accident.

Here are some of the more surprising ways in which a windscreen protects you in an accident.

Does A Windscreen Protect You During A Rollover?

A rollover accident is extremely dangerous because the unpredictable forces and impacts to the roof can cause injuries and people to be trapped if the roof gives way too much or in the wrong areas.

Astonishingly, the strength of a properly fitted windscreen helps to protect you if your car rolls over, reducing the amount it crushes inwards. 

A properly fitted replacement windscreen is thus vital to helping to protect you during a crash.

Does A Windscreen Help Your Airbags Work Better?

Your airbag is a vital car safety tool that works within milliseconds to create a cushion that protects you from severe collisions and impacts.

It requires pinpoint precision, and a broken windscreen can affect its ability to inflate, can cause it to inflate away from the driver, can leave them vulnerable to debris or can simply fail to deploy at all.

Does A Windscreen Stop You From Being Thrown Out Of The Vehicle?

Part of the reason why windscreens are made from laminated glass is to ensure you are not thrown from the vehicle in the case of a crash, and can keep you very safe in combination with seatbelts.