What is considered a non-critical area of the windshield?

In the context of the windshield inspection criteria, areas outside of the critical area are indeed considered non-critical. The critical area is defined as the section of the windshield that directly impacts the driver's vision and safety while operating the vehicle. This includes the part of the windshield directly in front of the driver's line of sight, as any obstructions or damage in this area could impair visibility and pose a risk.

Non-critical areas, on the other hand, refer to sections of the windshield that do not directly obstruct the driver's view, such as areas beyond the critical zone. While these non-critical areas can still be important for structural integrity, they do not have the same level of scrutiny during an inspection as the critical area does. This distinction helps inspectors focus their attention on immediate safety concerns while also ensuring that the windshield is overall in good condition.

The options hint at various zones of the windshield, but only the concept of areas outside of the critical area aligns with the definition of non-critical areas, making it the correct answer.