Type of trunk glass was decisive for driver to manage to escape from submerged car in SC, experts say
The type of glass in a car's trunk played a critical role in enabling a driver to escape from a submerged vehicle in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
In a remarkable incident in Brusque, Santa Catarina, a driver was able to survive after being trapped inside a car that had submerged in a river. Experts explain that the type of glass used in the rear of the vehicle was crucial for the man's successful escape. After the car veered off the road and plunged into the water, the driver managed to break the rear window, allowing him to swim to safety. A witness captured the dramatic escape on video, illustrating the urgency and desperation of the situation.
The incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, the 17th, when the vehicle went off the Bepe Avenue. According to physicist Jean Silva, the composition of the rear glass significantly influenced the driver’s ability to break free and evade drowning. He elaborates that while the windshield is made of laminated glass, which is designed to withstand impacts, the side and rear windows are made of tempered glass, which behaves differently upon impact. Tempered glass is about five to six times more resilient than regular glass; however, when it breaks, it shatters into rounded pieces that are less sharp, thereby reducing the risk of injury for the escaping occupant.
This incident sheds light on the importance of vehicle safety designs, particularly in situations involving water immersion. The ability to know which type of glass is present in a car can be a lifesaving factor during emergencies like this. As people become increasingly aware of their surroundings and potential hazards, discussions around vehicle safety features, including the materials used in windows, are becoming ever more relevant, reinforcing the need for proper safety standards in automotive engineering.