If you’re like me, you hate when the noise outside of your car interferes with your enjoyment of the radio. I can’t count how many times I’ve missed a witty comment from Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck simply because of the road noise.

But with the new windshields going into newer models of Ford cars, that won’t be a problem any longer. These new acoustic windshields have a new sound screen that blocks out much of the noise that comes inside the vehicle.

The automaker tested the first acoustic windshield in the 2008 Ford Focus. During the tests, the windshield was able to block out an extra three decibels more than the typical windshield. To put those numbers into understandable terms, the cabin noise was reduced from 70 decibels to 67 decibels, only two decibels more than the typical human voice would reach during a conference at work.

The Mercury Mariner was another vehicle that Ford used for testing the acoustic windshield. During these tests, the windshield reduced the noise by about 12 percent on the highway.

These high-tech windshields are made from sound-absorbent transparent vinyl sheets installed within the windshield. But it doesn’t only mean quieter interiors for vehicles. It also decreases the weight of the vehicle. Engineers can use lighter materials instead of the super heavy glass they typically use. In the Navigator, for instance, that could mean seven fewer pounds adding resistance on the roads…and that’s just for the windshield!

Leave it to Ford to come up with even more ways to enjoy your driving experience.