A pilot got a scary surprise when a bird crashed through the windshield of his plane as he came in for a landing. Broken glass and feathers everywhere – it was a scene right out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Could this happen to you? Sure, if you have a plane, but it could also happen while you’re driving down the road.
Imagine grooving to your favorite song on the radio when SPLAT! a bird smashes into your windshield. It’s estimated that at least 80 million birds are killed every year by crashing into car windshields.1
Bad luck for the birds, but it’s dangerous for drivers, too. A bird hitting your windshield would surely startle you, and could cause you to swerve or slam on the brakes, putting you and other drivers on the road at risk.
The best thing to do if a bird hits your windshield is remain calm and not make any sudden movements with your vehicle. Then, when it’s safe to stop, pull to the side of the road and assess the damage.
If there’s any damage in the driver’s line of sight, it’s best to call for a tow and have the windshield replaced before continuing on.
If the damage present is minor and doesn’t impede your vision, you can continue to operate the vehicle, but make an appointment to have your windshield repaired in the near future.
1. BBC.com: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140212-why-birds-crash-into-car-screens
