Imagine the unthinkable: you’re trapped in your car after an accident. Perhaps your vehicle is submerged in water or overturned. Panic sets in, but in these critical moments, having a plan and the right tools can be the difference between life and death. While these scenarios are rare, being prepared is not just wise, it’s essential. AAA research highlights the importance of car escape tools, but also reveals a crucial detail that every driver needs to know.
AAA’s Shocking Discovery: Escape Tools Fail on Laminated Glass
A recent study by AAA shed light on the effectiveness of car escape tools, and the findings are eye-opening. Researchers tested six different car escape tools to see how well they could break two types of car window glass: tempered and laminated. The results? While some tools effectively shattered tempered glass, none could break through laminated glass. Laminated glass, even when cracked, remained intact, posing a significant challenge in an emergency escape situation. Interestingly, the spring-loaded escape tools outperformed hammer-style tools in breaking tempered windows during multiple tests.
Alt text (Example – if an image of various car escape tools were here): A collection of different car window escape tools, including spring-loaded and hammer types, arranged on a white background to illustrate the variety of emergency vehicle escape devices available.
The Rise of Laminated Side Windows: A Safety Feature and an Escape Challenge
Here’s a fact that many drivers are unaware of: laminated side windows are becoming increasingly common in new vehicles. In fact, about 1 in 3 of the 2018 vehicle models incorporate laminated side windows. This safety feature is designed to prevent occupants from being ejected during a crash. However, this enhanced safety comes with a critical trade-off: laminated glass is significantly harder, if not impossible, to break with standard car escape tools.
John Nielsen, Managing Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair for AAA, points out this double-edged sword: “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 vehicle escape 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.”
Do You Know Your Windows? Tempered vs. Laminated Glass
The crucial takeaway from AAA’s research is the need to know what type of side windows your car has. Identifying the glass type is surprisingly simple. Just check the bottom corner of your side windows for a label. This label will clearly state whether the glass is “tempered” or “laminated.” If there’s no label, or you’re unsure, contact your vehicle manufacturer for clarification. Keep in mind that some vehicles may have different types of glass in different locations – for example, laminated front side windows and tempered rear side windows.
Emergency Preparedness: Your 3-Step Survival Plan
Being prepared for a car emergency can dramatically increase your chances of survival, especially if you become trapped. AAA strongly advises drivers to take these three proactive steps:
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Know Your Glass Type: Memorize 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, standard car escape tools are ineffective on laminated glass.
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Equip Your Car with a Reliable Escape Tool: Keep a Car Window Escape Tool in your vehicle that you are comfortable using and can easily access in a stressful situation. Spring-loaded tools are generally more effective for tempered glass. Consider tools that can be attached to your keychain or mounted on your dashboard or steering column for quick access during a collision. Practice using the tool beforehand to familiarize yourself with its operation.
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Develop and Communicate an Exit Strategy: Create a clear escape plan and discuss it with all passengers in your car. This will prevent confusion and wasted time during an emergency. Have a backup plan in case your escape tool is inaccessible or doesn’t work as expected.
Alt text (Example – if an image of a tempered glass label were here): A close-up photograph of a car window label clearly marked “TEMPERED” in bold letters, located in the bottom corner of the glass, indicating the window is made of tempered glass.
The S-U-R-E Way Out: Your Emergency Escape Method
In a trapped vehicle situation, remember the S-U-R-E method to guide your escape:
- Stay Calm: While time is critical, remain calm and focused. Quick, cautious actions are more effective than panicked ones.
- Unbuckle Seat Belts: Immediately unbuckle all seat belts and ensure everyone is ready to evacuate the vehicle.
- Roll Down or Break a Window: First, attempt to roll down a window. If the window is stuck or the car is submerged and sinking, and you have tempered glass, use your car window escape tool to break a side window. Be aware that in a sinking car, water will rush in rapidly once a window is opened. If you have laminated glass that won’t break, and the car is submerged, move to the back of the vehicle or find an air pocket. Stay there until the vehicle is full of water and the pressure equalizes, which may allow you to open a door and escape. Note that hammer-style tools can be harder to use underwater than spring-loaded tools.
- Exit the Vehicle: Once a window is open or a door can be opened, exit the vehicle swiftly and move to a safe location.
Call 911: Contact emergency services as soon as you are safely out of the vehicle. While calling 911 is usually the first step in emergencies, in situations like vehicle submersion or fire, immediate escape takes priority.
Knowledge is Your Best Defense
As Nielsen emphasizes, “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.” Don’t wait for an emergency to strike. Take the time today to check your car windows, equip yourself with a suitable car window escape tool, and create your emergency plan. It could save your life and the lives of your passengers.
For a comprehensive list of vehicles with laminated side windows, you can refer to the AAA list of vehicles with laminated side windows. (Note: Replace with actual link if available)
