Imagine the unthinkable – being trapped in your car after an accident, perhaps submerged in water or overturned. While these scenarios are rare, the risk is real. According to AAA research, thousands of crashes involve vehicle submersion annually, and rollovers are even more frequent. The crucial factor in surviving such an event is preparedness. Having a plan and equipping your vehicle with a reliable car emergency tool, especially one recommended by a trusted authority like AAA, can be a true lifesaver.
AAA’s comprehensive research report sheds light on the effectiveness of car escape tools, particularly in situations where every second counts. Their findings are vital for every driver to understand, especially considering the evolving safety features in modern vehicles.
AAA Research: Car Escape Tools and Window Glass Types
AAA researchers rigorously tested six different car escape tools to assess their ability to break two types of automotive glass: tempered and laminated. The results were revealing. While several tools successfully shattered tempered glass, none could penetrate laminated glass. Interestingly, spring-loaded tools proved more effective than hammer-style tools in breaking tempered windows during the tests.
This distinction is critical because laminated side windows are increasingly common in new vehicles. These windows, designed to prevent ejection during collisions, are significantly stronger and more difficult to break than tempered glass.
The Rise of Laminated Side Windows
It’s important for drivers to be aware that the type of side window glass in their car might be laminated. In fact, a growing number of new car models – as many as 1 in 3 in 2018 – are equipped with laminated side windows. This safety advancement, while beneficial in many collision scenarios, 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.”
Identifying Your Car’s Window Glass Type
Determining whether your car has tempered or laminated side windows is a simple yet crucial step in emergency preparedness. Look for a label in the bottom corner of your side windows. This label should clearly indicate “tempered” or “laminated”. If the information is unclear or absent, AAA recommends contacting your vehicle manufacturer directly. Keep in mind that some vehicles might have a combination of both types of glass, with laminated glass in the front and tempered glass in the rear side windows.
AAA’s Essential Emergency Preparedness Tips
Being prepared can dramatically increase your chances of survival in a car emergency. AAA strongly advises drivers to take the following proactive steps:
Pre-Emergency Preparation:
- Know Your Glass: 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 emergency tools are ineffective on laminated glass.
- Equip Your Car: Keep a car emergency escape tool readily accessible in your vehicle. Choose a tool you are comfortable using and have ideally tested beforehand. Spring-loaded tools are often recommended by AAA due to their effectiveness on tempered glass in their tests. Consider attaching it to your keychain or mounting it on your dashboard or steering column for easy reach during a collision.
- Plan Your Escape: Develop a clear exit strategy and communicate it to all passengers. This will minimize confusion and wasted time in a stressful emergency. Also, have a backup plan in case your escape tool is unusable or ineffective.
The S-U-R-E Escape Method
In the event you become trapped in your vehicle, remember the S-U-R-E steps to escape:
- Stay Calm: While urgency is critical, remain calm and act deliberately to ensure everyone’s safe exit.
- Unbuckle Seatbelts: Immediately unbuckle all seatbelts and ensure everyone is ready to evacuate.
- Roll Down or Break Window: First, attempt to roll down a window. If the window is jammed or the car is submerged and sinking, and you have tempered glass, use your car emergency tool to break a side window. Be aware that in a sinking car, water will rush in rapidly once a window is opened. If windows are laminated and cannot be broken, move to the rear of the vehicle or find an air pocket and wait for the pressure to equalize to potentially open a door. Note that hammer-style tools may be harder to use underwater compared to spring-loaded tools.
- Exit Vehicle Quickly: Once an escape route is clear, exit the vehicle swiftly and move to a safe location.
Call 911: While calling emergency services is usually the first step in an accident, prioritize escape first if the vehicle is on fire or submerged.
Conclusion: Knowledge and Preparation are Key
As John Nielsen from AAA stated, “Knowledge is power.” Understanding your vehicle’s features, particularly the type of side window glass, and being equipped with a Car Emergency Tool Recommended By Aaa can significantly improve your preparedness and survival chances in a vehicle emergency. Take the time to check your window type, equip your car, and plan your escape route. It’s a small effort that could make a world of difference when the unexpected happens.
For a comprehensive list of vehicles with laminated side windows, refer to the AAA’s list of vehicles with laminated side windows. And for detailed insights into the research on car escape tools, you can read the full AAA research report on vehicle escape tools.
