Technology

Far more people have died from being ejected through the window, which is why the testing requirements in 49 CFR §571.226 were expanded to now in effect require at least laminated glass for front passenger windows along with curtain airbags in new vehicles. Deaths from being trapped by laminated glass are overwhelmingly the product of improper identification of the glass type and/or lack of the correct tool - laminated glass is very easily cleared when one is both trained and expecting it, even using tools like a standard fire axe or crowbar, but the technique is not obvious and unexpected complications in high pressure situations are paid for with lives.

With a specialized tool like a rescue glass saw the window can be removed in seconds, and the lives saved by preventing ejection in a high speed impact or rollover far outweigh those lost to being trapped by fire. It's a dreadful algebra, but moving the industry towards using laminated glass was the correct decision.

If you're concerned, get a dedicated laminated glass extraction tool; I have used & carry with me a lifeline evac pro and it performed very well, although it's absurdly expensive - I recommend picking up one of the many clones of the tool, which I doubt will last for more than a handful of escapes or rescues, but unless you are in emergency response or live in a particularly accident-prone region (as I do) you (I very much hope) will never need to perform multiple rescues in your lifetime and can absolutely use the cheaper knockoff designs.