BRIGHTON, Mich. The Independent Glass Association (IGA) has introduced a new registered training and certification program for professionals in the auto glass field. The program is based on Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards and American National Standards Institute standards. According to the IGA, many drivers are unaware how important vehicle glass is to ensure that other safety features work properly. For example, the windshield is a critical determinant of proper airbag timing. "In a crash, an improperly installed windshield may cause an airbag to deploy too early or too late," the IGA said. "In either case, the safety of the occupants may be compromised." Upon impact, the windshield acts as a brace to support the passenger side airbag. If the windshield separates, the airbag doesn't have a constrained space and isn't effective in protecting the occupant. The windshield also helps keep unrestrained occupants inside the vehicle. "In a crash, an improperly installed windshield may fail to hold and detach from its frame, allowing any passengers in the vehicle to be ejected, which increases each occupant's chances for serious or even fatal injuries," the IGA explained. The windshield is also an important part of a vehicle's energy management systems, which direct crash energy around the occupant compartment. "If the windshield is improperly installed, the vehicle may crumple differently than the manufacturer intended, which may jeopardize occupants," the IGA said. In a rollover accident, the windshield provides strength by helping to keep the roof from crushing in on any vehicle occupants. In some model designs, the windshield supplies up to 50 percent of the vehicle's rollover strength.