Following revision of the applicable Federal safety standard in 1983, two motor vehicle manufacturers equipped some of their cars with glass-plastic windshields for testing in rental fleets. The study is an evaluation of the safety, durability, and cost of glass-plastic windshield glazing. It is based on analyses of data from State crash files, fleet tests, and other sources. The study findings are: Safety. Crash data indicate that the injury reduction potential of glass-plastic windshields is substantially less than predicted; Durability. Fleet and warranty claim data indicate that durability problems are greater than anticipated; and Costs. A glass-plastic windshield adds $65 to the cost of a new car. Additional 'durability' costs would also accrue. Replacement cost is estimated to exceed $1,700. Today's high rates of safety belt use, coupled with the growing number of air bag-equipped cars, mean that windshield-caused injuries have decreased and will continue to decline.


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    Title :

    Evaluation of the Effects of Glass-Plastic Windshield Glazing in Passenger Cars


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1993


    Size :

    110 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English