Imagine the unthinkable: you’re trapped in your car after an accident. Perhaps your vehicle is submerged in water or flipped upside down. While these scenarios are thankfully rare, the potential for panic is real. In 2017 alone, thousands of crashes involved vehicle submersion, and rollovers were even more frequent. Being prepared is crucial, and having an Emergency Car Breakout Tool readily available can be a life-saving decision.
Recent research from AAA sheds light on the effectiveness of emergency car breakout tools, offering valuable insights for drivers. Their study rigorously tested several tools to determine their ability to break through different types of car window glass: tempered and laminated.
AAA Research: Unveiling the Effectiveness of Car Escape Tools
The AAA research team put six different emergency car breakout tools to the test, evaluating their performance on both tempered and laminated glass. The results were eye-opening. Only four of the tools successfully shattered tempered glass, the type commonly found in most car side windows. More strikingly, none of the tested tools could penetrate laminated glass. Even after repeated attempts, laminated glass merely cracked but remained intact. Interestingly, the study also highlighted that spring-loaded tools outperformed hammer-style tools in breaking tempered glass.
This is critical information because an increasing number of new vehicles are equipped with laminated side windows.
The Rise of Laminated Side Windows: A Safety Feature with a Caveat
Laminated side windows, designed to minimize occupant ejection during collisions, are becoming increasingly prevalent. In fact, approximately one in three 2018 vehicle models incorporated this safety feature. While laminated glass offers enhanced safety in accidents, it presents a challenge in emergency escape situations.
John Nielsen, managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair for AAA, emphasizes this point: “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.”
Knowing the type of glass in your car’s windows is therefore not just helpful, it’s potentially life-saving.
Identifying Your Car Window Type: A Simple Check
Fortunately, determining whether your car windows are tempered or laminated is straightforward. Look for a label located in the bottom corner of your side windows. This label should clearly indicate “tempered” or “laminated.” If the label is missing or the information isn’t clear, AAA recommends contacting your vehicle manufacturer for clarification. It’s also important to note that some vehicles may have different types of glass in different window locations (e.g., tempered rear side windows and laminated front side windows). Check each window to be certain.
Emergency Preparedness: Steps to Take Now
Being prepared for a car emergency significantly increases your chances of survival. AAA strongly advises drivers to take these proactive steps:
Prepare Ahead of Time:
- Know Your Glass Type: Memorize whether your vehicle’s 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 emergency car breakout tools will not break laminated glass.
- Equip Your Vehicle with an Escape Tool: Keep an emergency car breakout tool in your car that you are comfortable using and have tested beforehand. Ensure it’s easily accessible in an emergency situation. Spring-loaded tools, often available as keychains, are a good option. Consider mounting the tool to your dashboard or steering column for secure placement.
- Develop an Exit Strategy: Plan an escape strategy with all passengers in your vehicle. Discuss potential emergency scenarios and how you would exit the car. This pre-planning can prevent confusion and save precious seconds during a real emergency. Also, consider a backup plan if the emergency car breakout tool is unusable or ineffective.
The S-U-R-E Escape Method: Your Action Plan in a Vehicle Emergency
In a trapped vehicle situation, remember the S-U-R-E method for a clear and effective escape:
- Stay Calm: While speed is crucial, remain calm and act deliberately to ensure everyone’s safe exit. Panic can hinder clear thinking and action.
- Unbuckle Seatbelts: Immediately unbuckle all seatbelts and ensure everyone is ready to evacuate the vehicle when the time comes.
- Roll Down or Break a Window: Attempt to roll down a window first. If submerged in water, be aware that water will rush in rapidly once the window is opened. If the window is inoperable and you have tempered glass, use your emergency car breakout tool to shatter a side window for escape. If you have laminated glass and cannot break the window, and the vehicle is submerged:
- Move to the back of the vehicle or locate any available air pocket. Stay with the air pocket until the vehicle is completely filled with water, equalizing the pressure. This pressure equalization may allow you to open a door to escape.
- Be aware that hammer-style emergency car breakout tools can be significantly harder to use underwater due to water resistance. Spring-loaded tools might be more effective in submerged conditions.
- Exit the Vehicle: Once a window is broken or a door can be opened, exit the vehicle quickly and move to a safe location.
- Call 911: After escaping to safety, call emergency services. While calling 911 is usually the first step in an emergency, escaping a vehicle in immediate danger (like submersion or fire) takes priority.
Conclusion: Knowledge and Preparation are Your Best Tools
As John Nielsen from AAA aptly stated, “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.” Investing in an emergency car breakout tool and understanding how and when to use it is a vital step in ensuring your safety and the safety of your passengers. Take the time to check your window type, equip your car, and familiarize yourself with emergency procedures. It’s preparedness that can make all the difference.
For a comprehensive list of vehicles with laminated side windows, you can refer to this resource.
