I imagine that it's unsafe because of the compromised integrity of a very large, heavy, and sharp object directly in the path of the driver's head.

 

Other way around... The windshield is designed to keep the driver IN the car.

Laminated safety glass was invented because people kept being thrown from their cars in collisions. One is safer in the car and strapped down rather then being thrown from it.

How Stuff Works ~ Safety Glass

 

I was half right at least. Cracked safety glass is compromised. Less effective...

 

Yup. That is why many insurance carriers will cover glass damage. You really don't want to be driving a car with 'effed up windows. Seems odd, but it could get you dead.

 

You can always use windshield repair kits that you can get at auto parts stores if the chips are small enough and you catch them in time. They'll prevent the small chips from turning into large cracks.

 

[QUOTE=ricosuave,Jan 7 2008, 12:12 PM] ****Virginia****

According to the safety inspection guidelines of the Virginia State
Police:
In the Virginia Official Safety Inspection Manual, Section 19 VAC
30-70-210, page 210-2, paragraphs 7 and 8, states:

Inspect for and reject if:

7. There is a pit, chip, or star crack larger than 1

 

 

JLUDE, they make these type tickets just for this type of case. They are called SERO's in MD, IIRC. I got a few for a car of mine that smoked when it was cold.

The police are not only there to enforce the moving laws of your car, but the safety laws as well. If you had a truck in front of you with the bumper falling off, you would want the police to be able to pull that guy over before his bumper fell off and caused more problems.

In MD, if you have a crack bigger than a half dollar, you car is in violation. If you have a starburst in your feild of vision, you will not pass inspection.

Like everyone has said here, you have a car with a safety violation. This is much, much, much better than a moving violation b/c there are no points. Your girlfriend was going to have to get the window fixed anyways, right? So now you just have to do it sooner.

And yes, you can get pulled over for having lights out on your car as well. If a commercial vehicle has more than 2 of its 5 roof lights out, they can get pulled over. We all play by the same rules.

 

wouldn't you want to replace the windshield anyway since its already cracked?

 

She's just gonna get a new windshield and then take the car in to have it examined and see if they will drop the fine. Will that be a good course of action?

If they drop the charge will she still be liable for the court fees?