I recently received my copy of AGRR Magazine; this is a major publication to the auto glass replacement and repair industry.

An article in the November/December 2006 issue titled, “A Man On A Safety Mission”, an interview with Byron Bloch continues, in a way, what I’ve been saying about repair vs. replacement.

Mr. Bloch, has 40 years experience with auto safety. He has been a leader to improve vehicle safety. His resume includes that he is a court qualified expert and has testified before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Further he has appeared as an expert on news programs, ABC’s 20/20, Primetime Live, Nightline, 60 Minutes, and Dateline NBC, to name a few.

In regards to continued stories I’ve heard here in Oklahoma City about windshields not being properly installed, including what I hear now more often about rusted pinchwelds. This involves a previously installed windshield where the pinchweld was not primed or was not primed correctly, thus requiring the vehicle to have the pinchweld repaired by a body shop before a new windshield can be installed.

Here are portions from this article, and some information you should know:

• When asked how important auto glass plays in safety? His response was that it was “very, very critical”. He points out how the windshield is a support for airbags, and that it is important for roof strength and keeping vehicle occupants inside the vehicle during a crash.

• When asked about the biggest problems caused by improper installation of a windshield, he stated, “poor attachment”. If the windshield comes out in a rollover, other supports would buckle and the roof would crush the vehicle passengers. Besides in an accident, passengers could be ejected through an opening created by a missing windshield.

• AGRR magazine states it is well known that at least once every 2 weeks a fatal accident occurs in which the windshield had been replaced within the previous 2 days.

Hopefully AGRR will post this whole article on their website so everyone can see it.

Due to the dangers involved with windshield replacement, the consumer should take extra care to inspect their windshields for small chips and repair them in a timely fashion. Doing this will eliminate the problems and the cost of windshield replacements.

When a replacement is required, don’t look for the cheapest replacement shop, look for the most qualified. A low price guarantee may not be the best deal when making a decision that could be a difference between life or death. After all, could you live with the knowledge that by saving a few dollars it cost you a loved one’s life?