What You Need to Know in Colorado
Driving around with a cracked windshield might not seem like a big deal, especially if it’s just a minor crack or small chips out of your main driver’s line of sight. But even tiny windshield damage can quickly become a serious problem. Whether you’re driving to work on I-25 or heading out to Monument or Black Forest, your car’s windshield glass is super important for both seeing clearly and keeping you safe if there’s a crash.
We are going talk about the safety risks, legal considerations, and what to do if you can’t get your damaged windshield fixed right away.
Why a Cracked Windshield is Dangerous
Even a small crack or windshield chip can put you at risk and become a safety hazard:
Harder to See: Cracks can make sunlight or headlights shine right into your eyes, especially when the sun is low. This glare makes it tough to have a clear driver’s vision or driver’s view of the road. Your overall driver’s visibility is reduced.
Weaker Support Structure: Your windshield isn’t just glass; it helps hold up the roof of your car and provides structural support. If you’re in a rollover or a head-on crash, a compromised windshield is more likely to crack or pop out. This means the roof might not protect you as well, impacting the vehicle’s structural integrity.
Airbags Might Not Work Right: In many cars, the entire windshield helps the passenger-side airbag deployment correctly during a crash. A weak windshield could cause the airbag to deploy wrong, which means it won’t protect you as it should. This has serious safety implications.
Simply put, even a minor crack makes your car less safe if something unexpected happens, hindering safe driving.
Colorado Laws About Windshield Cracks
Colorado doesn’t have yearly vehicle inspections, but that doesn’t mean you can drive with any kind of windshield damage you want.
What the Law Says:
Blocked View = Traffic Ticket
It’s against the law to drive with anything blocking your view of the road, no matter where you are in the United States. While state laws govern most car regulations, federal rules (specifically for big trucks) set basic standards for clear windshields. These rules say you can’t have cracks or damaged glass in your main field of vision that are bigger than certain sizes (like a chip bigger than a quarter, or cracks that cross each other).
Most specific laws in states, including Colorado’s, generally say you can’t have anything that makes it hard to see normally through your windshield. Police officers can give you a ticket if they think a crack is blocking your line of vision, leading to Traffic Violations and legal consequences.
Cracks in Your Main View
Any crack or damage that is right in your normal driver’s line of sight is a big deal and can get you a ticket. Even if there aren’t exact size limits in every state, a large crack that’s a few inches long or right in front of where you look (especially above the steering wheel) is probably going to be seen as an obstruction. This “main view area” is super important for safe driving.
Most cracks are edge cracks (those starting from the edge of the windshield). Many glass shops will tell you that edge cracks require a full windshield replacement. This is simply untrue. The Repair of Laminated Auto Glass Standard (ROLAGS) says edge cracks are repairable unless they intersect 2 edges of the glass.
Driving in Other States (like New Mexico, Utah)
It’s important for car owners to know that car safety laws, including windshield rules, can be very different from state to state. Your car has to follow the laws of the state you’re driving in. For example:
New Mexico: While New Mexico laws mainly focus on not having anything “non-see-through” blocking your windshield and not driving an “unsafe” car, they don’t have exact crack sizes. But a police officer can still give you a ticket if they think a crack blocks your view or makes your car unsafe, leading to legal issues.
Utah: Utah has more specific laws, especially for car safety inspection checks. Your car might fail an inspection if a crack goes more than one inch into the “main view area” (the center part of the windshield), or if any damage or repair in that area is bigger than an inch.
So, a crack that might be okay in Colorado (which has a more general “blocked view” law) could easily get you a ticket or make your car fail an inspection in a state with more detailed windshield regulations. Always make sure your car meets the requirements of any state you plan to drive through. If you have to lean forward or squint to see around a crack, it’s not safe – or legal – to keep driving without getting an immediate repair.
How Cracks Get Bigger When You Drive
A small rock chip might seem fine at first – until it’s not. Here’s why cracks spread:
Vibrations from Driving: When you drive, especially on the highway, your car shakes. This constant shaking puts stress on the damaged windshield area and its weak points.
Temperature Changes: A cold morning followed by hot sun can make the glass quickly expand and shrink, causing the crack to grow. These rapid temperature fluctuations due to weather conditions can cause further damage.
Bumps and Potholes: Hitting a bump or a pothole can suddenly make a small crack much bigger, or even spread across your entire windshield like a spiderweb.
And when that happens? It’s too late for a simple fix. Now you’re looking at a full windshield replacement – which often costs $300–$1,000 or more, especially if your car has advanced safety features (ADAS).
What To Do If You Have to Drive Before Repair
We always suggest getting small chips and cracks repaired as soon as possible. But if you absolutely have to drive first:
- Cover the Damage: Use one of our ChipSavers or clear packing tape to keep dirt and water out of the location of the crack until you can get a professional repair.
- Be Careful with Heating/Cooling: Avoid blasting the defroster or air conditioning directly onto the windshield.
- Park Smart: Try to park in the shade, and avoid quick changes in the glass’s temperature.
- Drive Smoothly: Drive gently, especially over bumps or potholes.
- Check Wipers: Make sure your windshield wipers work well, as a cracked windshield can make it harder for them to clear your view.
Important Note: These are just temporary fixes. They don’t actually repair the damage or stop it from spreading. Only use them to buy time before you can get a proper repair from auto glass services or repair shops.
Don’t Risk It – Get That Crack Repaired Today
A crack can spread at any time – while you’re driving, parked, or even because of a temperature change.
For your safety concerns and peace of mind, let Bob’s Windshield Repair fix it fast:
- Mobile service comes to you – at home, work, or anywhere in Colorado Springs. We want your first time experience with us to be easy!
- We fix cracks up to 14 inches – even the long ones other places won’t touch.
- Same-day appointments are often available.
- Lifetime guarantee on all repairs.
Call us now at (719) 591-1666 or book your appointment online. It’s quick, affordable, and much safer than risking a costly windshield replacement – or worse, your safety. We’re known for our great customer service, and we work with many insurance policy providers to handle insurance claims.