Navigating Cracked Windshield Laws in Texas: What You Need to Know

Like many people, you could make the mistake of assuming that vehicular laws are something you don’t really have to worry about unless you have a car. That, however, is not the case. Here in Texas, the law that forbids things such as windshields that are cracked or chipped actually has an impact on other facets of life. You might think that, for example, you only need to worry about when the law can arrest you and place you in jail. That, of course, is true. Until it turns into a stain on your background check, it doesn’t have to pose a problem. Even something as seemingly innocuous and mundane as a broken windshield can have far-reaching consequences, both on the personal and professional fronts. The reason that we even bring up this neglected area of the law is that there are many people out there who have suffered from windshields that are chipped and splintered. The cost of fixing these broken windshields turned out to be far more than what they would have spent, had they just replaced the windshield a long time ago. If you had paid attention during driver’s education class, you would have known that a damaged windshield in Texas is not only a serious distraction, which can cause accidents if it blocks your view of the road, but functionally dangerous as well. Therefore, its presence at the front of your car can lead to a ticket just as easily as speeding or running a red light would. Of course, the truth is that many of us are ignorant of our legal situation, and it’s not until it’s too late that we realize the consequences of our misadventures. Unfortunately, we have to pay the consequences. The law here in Texas is something that you’d better pay attention to. If you don’t, it will come back to haunt you. One area of law that many people don’t realize is so important, outside of the immediate situation itself, is how traffic violations can literally ruin numerous areas of your life. If you have been pulled over for a broken windshield, or lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a broken windshield, you’d better pay attention. We’re not hair-splitting the law here. We’re just here to remind you that if an officer wants to give you a ticket, he or she will. Now, if you were involved in a car accident, of course, you’d better hope that your injuries were not caused by any sort of window breaking event. Otherwise, you’ll become a liability in short order. Texas vehicle code strictly forbids against broken, cracked, splintered, chipped, flaking, or damaged glass in general. That means that if any of your windows, your rear view mirror or anything else is damaged, then it counts against you. Actually, it counts against your wallet. Not everyone pays attention to small details, like whether their windshield is appropriately maintained or if any damage is present. While it’s true that ordinarily this would not be a matter for concern, it becomes one when you receive a ticket for it. Several different potential penalties come into play here. When you are pulled over with a cracked windshield, you could be met with a sizeable fine. That fine can be anywhere up to $2,000 depending on not only the severity of the issue, but also the interpretation of the ticketing officer. Not only that, but it can also lead to some unwanted points on your record as well. Of course, it also goes without saying that these points can remain on your record for 3 years. You might be wondering how much that will ultimately affect you. Well, if you get enough points, the consequence is that your driver’s license will be automatically suspended. In other words, the cost of these tickets can add up to something much higher, not unlike the cost of hiring a divorce attorney because you have no longer have a driver’s license. Or, perhaps you are already going through a family law matter, like a divorce or child custody dispute. You will find that any sort of criminal misstep will hinder your chances to prove yourself in court. Best let your marital problems or your control of your kids be determined by more objective factors, such as a broken window. Now, just about every parent knows that they do not want their children around people who have criminal records, especially those that can lead to accidents on the road. Thus, violating the cracked windshield law in Texas is something that is simply not worth it. It is vitally important on so many levels to know the law. When people fail to explicitly adhere to the different vehicular laws related to things like windshields and other parts of cars, they pay a heavy price for it. It is important not only to pay attention to the law and the rules of the road, but also to other areas of law. After all, you never quite know how a broken windshield will come back to bite you.