Vehicle Escape Tools Cannot Penetrate New Tempered Car Windows, Says AAA

New research from AAA reveals that most vehicle escape tools, intended to quickly aid passengers trapped in a car following an accident, will break tempered side windows, but none were able to penetrate laminated glass.

AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters tells WNEG News, motorists may not realize it, but an increasing number of new cars – in fact, 1 in 3 2018 vehicle models – have laminated side windows, a nearly unbreakable glass meant to lessen the chance of occupant ejection during a collision.

“AAA urges drivers to know what type of side window glass is installed on their vehicle, keep a secure and easily accessible escape tool in their car, and have a backup plan in case an escape tool cannot be used or doesn’t work,” Waiters said.

In its latest study, AAA examined a selection of vehicle escape tools available to consumers to determine their effectiveness in breaking tempered and laminated vehicle side windows.

Of the six tools selected, three spring-loaded and three hammer style, AAA researchers found that only four were able to shatter the tempered glass and none were able to break the laminated glass, which stayed intact even after being cracked.

During multiple rounds of testing, it was also discovered that the spring-loaded tools were more effective in breaking tempered windows than the hammer-style.

“Drivers can determine the type of glass installed on their vehicle by first checking for a label located in the bottom corner of the side window, which should clearly indicate whether the glass is tempered or laminated,” Waiters noted.

She said it is also important to note that some vehicles are outfitted with different glass at varying locations in the car, such as tempered glass on rear side windows versus laminated on front side windows.

If that information is not included or there is no label at all, AAA advises contacting the vehicle manufacturer.

Waiters said if you become trapped in a vehicle, remember there is a S-U-R-E way out:

Stay calm. While time is of the essence – work cautiously to ensure everyone safely exits the vehicle.
Unbuckle seat belts and check to see that everyone is ready to leave the car when it’s time.
Roll down or break a window – remember if the car is sinking in water, once the window is open the water will rush into the car at a faster rate. If the window will not open and the car has tempered glass, use an escape tool to break a side window to escape.

Drivers should also remember that if a window will not open or cannot be broken because it is laminated, everyone should move to the back of the vehicle or wherever an air pocket is located. Stay with it until all of the air has left the vehicle. Once this happens, the pressure should equalize, allowing occupants to open a door and escape.

If the vehicle is submerged, a hammer-style escape tool as opposed to a spring-loaded-style could be much harder to swing underwater.

Exit the vehicle quickly and move everyone to safety.

Call 911 – while this is typically the first step in an emergency, if a vehicle has hit the water or is on fire, it is best to try to escape first.