What’s in Your Windshield?

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Most drivers are unaware that the windshield serves more than just a view between you and the road. It is one of the most important safety features in your vehicle. Did you know? In a front-end collision, the windshield displaces kinetic energy and preserves 45% of the structural integrity of the cabin along with 60% on a roll-over. That’s right. As an integral part of the SRS (safety restraint system), in the case of a roll-over, the windshield helps a vehicle roof from collapsing into the cabin, allows airbags to deploy in the correct position, and prevents driver or passenger ejection.

But, there’s more.

As new technologies have emerged, such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) the windshield has been allocated a greater responsibility. These systems operate via sensors in the windshield in tandem with cameras, radar, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and on-board computers.

Examples of this ADAS technology include autonomous emergency braking, collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and many others to follow.
A new U.S. mandate specifies that all 2020 vehicles, and any vehicle manufactured after, must have autonomous emergency braking systems and collision avoidance systems as factory standard equipment.

ADAS has now made the correct replacement of windshields that much more important. All sensors, cameras, and any other equipment included in the ADAS system must be calibrated so the components work properly. In an accident, a fraction of an inch can make a huge difference between avoidance, serious injury, and even mortality.

There are 4 categories of ADAS:

Adaptive – Systems that change/adapt to the surrounding environment.
Automated – Systems that override manual operation and perform functions that drivers cannot do safely.
Monitoring – Systems that use cameras and sensors to scan the surroundings to assess if a correction is warranted.
Warning – Systems that alert the driver to a potential issue(s) in their own driving or that of other drivers around them.

The key word with all these systems is “Assistance”. They are designed to assist the driver
in making the right decision while driving.

A Crystal Fusion Treated Windshield also assists drivers in making the right decisions, both in inclement weather and night driving. For a safer driving experience and more information, visit us at www.cftproducts.com

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