The thought of being trapped in a vehicle is terrifying, especially in scenarios like a rollover accident or submersion in water. While these situations are thankfully rare, preparedness is key. In 2017 alone, there were approximately 8,000 cases of vehicle submersion, and rollover crashes occurred even more frequently. Having a plan and equipping your car with a Car Window Emergency Tool can significantly increase your chances of survival in such unforeseen events.
AAA’s research has shed light on the effectiveness of car window emergency tools, specifically in breaking tempered glass windows. Their report highlights that while these tools are effective against tempered glass, they are ineffective against laminated glass, which is becoming increasingly common in modern vehicles.
Alt text: AAA crash testing to evaluate car window emergency tool effectiveness on tempered glass.
During their tests, AAA evaluated six different car window emergency tools and found that only four were capable of shattering tempered glass. Notably, none of the tools could penetrate laminated glass, which, even when cracked, remained intact. The study also revealed that spring-loaded tools outperformed hammer-style tools in breaking tempered windows, proving to be more consistently successful.
The increasing prevalence of laminated side windows in newer vehicles adds another layer of complexity. While laminated glass enhances safety by reducing the risk of ejection during collisions, its resistance to car window emergency tools is a critical factor for drivers to consider. It’s estimated that about 1 in 3 of the 2018 vehicle models incorporate laminated side windows.
John Nielsen, Managing Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair for AAA, emphasizes the importance of understanding vehicle window types: “To improve safety, more cars have laminated side windows – but a majority also have at least one window made of tempered glass. Our research found that generally car window emergency tools can be effective in an emergency, but only if drivers know what type of side windows they have, otherwise they could waste precious seconds trying to break glass that will not shatter.”
Knowing the type of glass in your car windows is straightforward. You can typically find a label at the bottom corner of your side windows indicating whether it’s tempered or laminated glass. If the label is absent or unclear, contacting your vehicle manufacturer is recommended. It’s also worth noting that some vehicles may have different types of glass in different windows, for example, tempered glass in the rear side windows and laminated glass in the front.
Preparation is paramount in emergency situations. AAA provides crucial recommendations to enhance safety:
Three Essential Steps for Emergency Readiness
1. Know Your Glass Type:
Determine whether your vehicle’s side windows are tempered or laminated. If you have at least one tempered window, identify it as your primary escape route in an emergency. Remember that standard car window emergency tools will not work on laminated glass.
Alt text: Tempered glass label on car window, essential for car window emergency tool usage.
2. Equip Your Vehicle with a Car Window Emergency Tool:
Keep a car window emergency tool in your car that you are comfortable using and have ideally tested beforehand. Ensure it’s easily accessible in an emergency. Spring-loaded tools are often available as keychains, or you can mount the tool on your dashboard or steering column for secure and immediate access.
3. Plan Your Escape Strategy:
Develop an escape plan and communicate it to all passengers in your vehicle. This proactive approach can prevent confusion and save valuable time during an emergency. Also, establish a backup plan in case the car window emergency tool is unusable or ineffective.
The SURE Method for Vehicle Escape
In a trapped vehicle situation, remember the S-U-R-E steps for a safe exit:
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Stay Calm: While speed is crucial, remain calm to ensure a safe and effective escape for everyone.
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Unbuckle Seat Belts: Immediately unbuckle all seat belts and ensure everyone is ready to exit the vehicle.
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Roll Down or Break a Window: Attempt to roll down a window first. If submerged, remember that water will rush in rapidly once the window is opened. If the window is jammed and you have tempered glass, use your car window emergency tool to break a side window. For submerged vehicles:
- If windows are laminated and cannot be broken, move to the back of the vehicle or locate an air pocket. Stay there until the vehicle is completely filled with water, which should equalize the pressure, potentially allowing a door to open.
- Hammer-style car window emergency tools may be harder to use effectively underwater compared to spring-loaded tools.
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Exit the Vehicle: Exit quickly and move to a safe location.
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Call 911: While calling emergency services is usually the first step, in situations like submersion or fire, escape should be prioritized first.
Alt text: SURE method diagram for car emergency escape using car window emergency tool.
John Nielsen concludes, “Knowledge is power, and the more drivers understand about their car – like what type of glass their side windows are made of – the better prepared they will be in the event of an emergency.”
For a comprehensive list of vehicles with laminated side windows, you can refer to this resource. Equipping yourself with a car window emergency tool and understanding your vehicle’s window composition are vital steps towards ensuring safety in critical situations.
