The thought of being trapped can trigger immediate panic, and few scenarios are as terrifying as being stuck inside a car that’s flipped upside down or sinking beneath the water. While thankfully rare, with approximately 8,000 submersion-related crashes in 2017 compared to far more frequent rollover accidents, these situations demand quick thinking and the right tools. Having a Car Window Shatter Tool readily available in your vehicle isn’t just a good idea—it could be the key to survival in such an emergency.
AAA Research Highlights Car Escape Tool Effectiveness on Tempered Glass
To help drivers make informed choices about vehicle safety, AAA conducted a thorough examination of six different car escape tools. Their research focused on assessing the effectiveness of these tools in breaking both tempered and laminated vehicle window glass. The findings, detailed in an AAA research report, revealed that only four of the tested tools successfully shattered tempered glass, the type commonly found in many car windows. Crucially, none of the tools were able to penetrate laminated glass, which, even when cracked, remained intact. Interestingly, the tests indicated that spring-loaded car window shatter tools outperformed hammer-style tools in breaking tempered windows consistently.
The Increasing Prevalence of Laminated Side Windows
The AAA study underscores the importance of keeping a car window shatter tool in your vehicle. However, it also brings to light a critical piece of information for drivers: understanding the type of side window glass your car has—tempered or laminated. Many motorists are unaware that laminated side windows are becoming increasingly common in newer vehicles. In fact, about 1 in 3 of the 2018 vehicle models incorporated laminated side windows. This type of glass is designed to be virtually unbreakable to enhance safety by reducing the risk of ejection during collisions.
John Nielsen, managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair for AAA, points out this important consideration: “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.” This means that while a car window shatter tool is valuable, its effectiveness is highly dependent on the type of glass you’re trying to break.
Identifying Your Car’s Window Type: Tempered or Laminated
Determining whether your car windows are tempered or laminated is a straightforward process. Look for a label located in the bottom corner of your side windows. This label should clearly indicate if the glass is “tempered” or “laminated.” If you cannot find this information, or if there is no label present, AAA recommends contacting your vehicle manufacturer for clarification. It’s also important to remember that some vehicles may have different types of glass in different window locations, such as tempered glass in the rear side windows and laminated glass in the front side windows. Knowing the glass type for each window is crucial for emergency preparedness.
Emergency Readiness: The S-U-R-E Escape Strategy
Being prepared for a car emergency dramatically increases your chances of survival, especially if you and your passengers become trapped inside the vehicle. AAA strongly advises drivers to take the following steps to prepare and remember the S-U-R-E method if entrapment occurs.
Pre-Emergency Preparation:
- Know Your Glass Type: Memorize whether your vehicle windows are tempered or laminated. If your car has at least one tempered window, identify it as your primary escape point in an emergency. Remember, standard car window shatter tools will not break laminated glass.
- Equip Your Vehicle with a Car Window Shatter Tool: Keep a car window shatter tool in your car that you are comfortable using, have tested beforehand (if possible on a safe material, not your car window!), and can easily access in an emergency. Spring-loaded tools are often recommended and some come with keychain attachments. Consider mounting the tool to your dashboard or steering column to ensure it stays in place during a collision.
- Plan Your Escape Route: Develop an exit strategy in advance and discuss it with all regular passengers in your car. This will help prevent confusion during a stressful emergency situation and reduce valuable escape time. Also, think about a backup plan in case your car window shatter tool is unusable or ineffective.
The S-U-R-E Method for Vehicle Escape:
If you find yourself trapped in your vehicle, remember the S-U-R-E steps to guide your escape:
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S – Stay Calm: While speed is critical, remain calm and act deliberately to ensure everyone’s safe exit from the vehicle.
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U – Unbuckle Seatbelts: Immediately unbuckle all seatbelts and confirm that everyone is ready to evacuate the car when the opportunity arises.
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R – Roll Down or Break a Window: First, attempt to roll down a window. If the car is sinking, be aware that water will rush in rapidly once a window is opened. If the window won’t open and you have tempered glass, use your car window shatter tool to break a side window for escape. If submerged and unable to break a laminated window, move to the back of the vehicle or towards any available air pocket and stay there until the car completely fills with water. Once equalized pressure occurs, you might be able to open a door and escape. Note that hammer-style escape tools may be harder to use effectively underwater compared to spring-loaded models.
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E – Exit the Vehicle: Exit the vehicle quickly and help everyone move to a safe location away from danger.
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Call 911: While usually the first step in any emergency, in situations like vehicle submersion or fire, prioritize escape before calling for emergency services.
Knowledge and Preparedness: Your Best Defense
As John Nielsen from AAA 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.” Taking the time to identify your car’s window type and equipping yourself with a suitable car window shatter tool, especially if you have tempered glass windows, are proactive steps that can significantly improve your safety and the safety of your passengers in an unforeseen vehicle emergency. Being informed and prepared is your strongest defense in critical situations.
