The issue of car-window tinting has been divisive for many years. While it makes sense to tint car windows to reduce glare and help control the temperature inside the vehicle, using a tint that is too dark is both a safety hazard and a security issue.
That is why the law stipulates that the maximum allowable tint is 30 per cent. It is, however, a law that is widely ignored. A survey by The National found that more than 10 per cent of 1, vehicles counted along a busy road had illegal window tinting.
The problem has not gone away, with road-safety expert Andy Dean saying this week that the law against darker tints must be more strictly enforced "because there are plenty of cars out there with windows so heavily tinted that they're like a big black box".
The reasons people tint their windows to the point where it is very difficult to see into the vehicle — and, significantly, to see out — range from privacy and cultural issues to vanity. While it is understood that some people wish to guard their privacy, public safety should take precedence.
Drivers who cannot properly see out of the windscreen, or through the rear-view mirrors, are a danger to themselves, their passengers and every other road user. When police officers are doing their jobs, their lives are on the line. The last thing you want your window tint to do is make their jobs more difficult. Installing window tint on your vehicle not only enhances its appearance but can noticeably reduce the inside temperature during the summer months.
Vehicles with windows tinted darker than regulations permit, can pose a tremendous safety risk for police officers when they approach the vehicle at a roadblock, as their visibility into the vehicle is greatly reduced. Excessively dark windows can conceal illegal activity, which puts officers on high alert when approaching. In fact, the combination of overly darkened windows, poor weather and night-time often creates a hazardous situation.
The CBC has the full story. All provinces have laws related to seat belt usage and the drivers use of a mobile device. Having dark window film on a vehicle prevents the officer from identifying non-seat belt wearers from a distance, they must now take extra steps to pull vehicles over to confirm their suspicions.
Other states, such as Washington and Montana, allow drivers to use tints on their front side windows with VLTs as lows as 24 percent. Many state laws include exceptions for drivers with medical conditions such as lupus requiring limited light exposure. Arkansas and Michigan require those who qualify for such an exemption to carry proof in their vehicle at all times.
Others, such as Massachusetts, require you to display an exemption sticker. Then you should probably have the tints removed.
Otherwise, police officers might stop you repeatedly and issue you multiple fines. Plus, a cop who pulls you over for illegally tinted windows might find your vehicle out of compliance in other ways, potentially resulting in additional fines. But make sure before hitting the road.
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