With plenty of driving going on this summer as people go from place to place, it's inevitable that some people will end up with chips and cracks in their windshields.
These may not seem like a big deal for some people, but police officers do have the authority to issue tickets based on the damage.
How they determine when a windshield is too damaged is explained by SGI spokesperson Tyler McMurchy.
"There are specific rules under the provincial vehicle regulations that limit what kind of windshield damage is allowable. Essentially what you cannot have is a crack to one layer that extends more than 50 millimeters or two inches into the area that's swept by wipers. If you have a chip, that cannot be larger than 13 millimeters or 1/2 inch in diameter. Again, that is in the area swept by wipers."
It's important to watch for cracks in the windshield as even a small mark can mean a big difference in safety.
"A crack in the windshield can affect the structural integrity of the glass and so in the event of a collision, glass is manufactured to a certain standard that helps protect the occupant. So if it's compromised by a large crack that can affect the safety of the vehicle occupants. Cracks and windshields can also affect drivers' visibility."
While some people may receive fines for a broken windshield, cracks are much more likely to earn an order to repair from any officers.
"So typically what will happen is the officer will issue an order to repair. They do have the option of issuing a monetary fine, and that may happen as well. But typically issuing that order to repair is the action that's taken by the police officer."