On the afternoon of 2/8, a recent incident unfolded on the Phan Thiet - Dau Giay expressway. A driver reported that as their vehicle traversed the Le Gia Trang overpass, located near the expressway's end, a stone unexpectedly hit the car. This caused a hole in the windshield, though all occupants remained unharmed.

The moment a vehicle's windshield was shattered by a thrown stone, 2/8. Video: Le Thanh Nam

The driver observed three individuals on the overpass just before the impact. The incident was reported to authorities for investigation, and a warning was issued to other vehicles traveling in the area.

Earlier, around noon on 30/7, a vehicle driven by D. Ha on the Hanoi - Hai Phong expressway, traveling from Hai Phong towards Hanoi, also experienced a shattered windshield. The incident occurred at km89+300, beneath the Kim Doi overpass in Kien Thuy commune.

Ha recounted that the stone penetrated the windshield, bounced into the car, struck the dashcam, and then dropped. Glass fragments scattered across his face and the vehicle's interior. Following the impact, the driver maintained composure, reduced speed, assessed nearby traffic, and moved the car to the emergency lane.

By 4/8, Kien Thuy Commune Police had summoned a 32-year-old man involved in the Hanoi - Hai Phong expressway incident. Police reported that the man rode a bicycle onto the overpass, picked up a stone, and dropped it, shattering D. Ha's windshield. Relatives and neighbors indicated the man had displayed signs of depression since early 2020. Kien Thuy Commune Police are investigating the case.

A vehicle's windshield shattered by a stone while driving on the Hanoi - Hai Phong expressway, 30/7. Video: D. Ha

These two incidents, occurring days apart on different expressways, highlight significant safety risks for vehicles traveling at high speeds. A single stone or hard object striking a windshield can startle a driver, obstruct their view, or cause them to lose control, potentially leading to a serious accident.

What to do when a foreign object shatters your windshield

If a stone or foreign object strikes your windshield on an expressway, drivers must remain calm, grip the steering wheel firmly, and avoid abrupt steering or sudden braking. At speeds ranging from 80 to 120 km/h, such reactions can destabilize the vehicle, potentially causing collisions or chain-reaction accidents.

The decision to continue driving depends on the windshield's damage. If it is only chipped, cracked, or fractured, and the driver retains clear forward visibility, continuing the journey is possible. However, drivers should proceed with caution and at a reduced speed, as wind pressure, vibration, and jolts from faster travel can cause cracks to expand.

A windshield shattered by a flying stone on the expressway. Photo: D. Ha

If the windshield is punctured, shatters into large pieces, fragments fall into the cabin, or cracks obscure vision, the driver must stop the journey and move the vehicle to a safe spot. Once stopped, drivers should activate hazard lights, deploy warning devices as required, and contact the expressway management, traffic police, and rescue services for assistance. If the stone or object causing damage is found, along with scene photos and dashcam data, drivers should provide this to authorities for investigation.

In March, Quang Tri Provincial Police identified six teenagers, aged 13 to 15, who had thrown stones, shattering the windshields of four vehicles on the Vung Ang - Bung expressway. This act, committed purely for amusement, resulted in damages totaling approximately 55 million dong.

Pham Hai