My wife got stopped for our tinted windows on the car a while back, and the officer explained that it has to do with the safety of all drivers- being able to see the other driver (and vise-versa). (He did not mention it was illegal because of the safety of officers during traffic stops.)

He made the point of stopping at a four way stop at the same time as someone to your left. Typically people will stare at the other driver, and then make a motion for one or other to proceed. Or if no motion is made, at least you can see the other driver to make sure they are paying attention and they notice you're at the intersection as well- and that it is safe to proceed through the intersection. If the front windows are tinted, this makes it difficult.

With that said, my wife managed to get out of a ticket and we still have the tint on the car.... oops. :)

Take a wlak past the local police department parking lot and see how many of their personal vehicles have tinted windows, i know of at least 4 in Airdire RCMP.

I'm with MoFugger, it's more to do with interacting visually with your fellow motorists than officer safety and police observation, at least in daily practical use. Drivers need to see other drivers for all manner of things, we're not operating submarines through periscopes here.

I did have a car in my youth that was blackout tinted in the rear 3 windows (a 2-door hatchback), but the door windows were tinted to a much lesser extent and I had bought it that way.

Why have tinting laws been put into place with respect to motor vehicles?

Law enforcement officers are always nervous when approaching a motor vehicle with unknown occupants. They want to be able to see the driver and the occupants. This way they can identify the driver and occupants and allows them to see if there are any weapons in the vehicle or unusual behaviour from any of the occupants. Reduced tinting provides them with a comfort level they feel they need to perform their jobs, when pulling over or approaching motor vehicles



Taken from the book "Traffic Ticket Book":snapoutofit:

Nope. RCMP, not sheriff, and never had any complaints about the officer. Was very polite and professional. Mind you, I've NEVER been in the habit of being a dick to officers. Not wise.

Look in the corner of the windshield and the passenger and driver's windows for the writing. There is a safety code there. If you put a film on that glass that is negated, which according to Transport Canada is unsafe and therefore contrary to the TSA. That glass is intended to absorb a certain amount of energy, and to break in a certain manner and the film screws that up. As for the film, it can be clear, orange, purple, black or mirrored, it doesn't matter, not ok.

There is nothing in the TSA about it being for officer safety.

Tint inherent to the glass and part of the manufacturers inspected approval is A-OK.

If the color or tint is dark or distracting enought that it impairs the drivers ability to see that is a seperate charge and matter, not the one being discussed.

I absolutely agree with this 100%. When I'm driving it's very helpful to be able to tell if other drivers are aware of you. Seeing nothing but a blacked out window is really annoying at times.

If its due to glass saftey, how come the rear windows and rear doors passenger and driver glass is ok to tint by law...

ok.. so using exactly what you wrote, how does tinted front windows make it any safer, when you have no idea whats going on in the back seat? Remember there could be 3 passengers in the back seat all with guns pointed at the officer as he approaches.

Not to mention right in "your" paragraph it says reduced tinting. You don't even really know what we're talking about do you?

Why is any tinting legal if it's such a big concern?

I know this is all "what ifs" but that's what the law's based off. No facts, nothing..

I'll say it again, if it's soo imperative to the officers safety that the front windows can't be tinted, why do some of the most dangerous places in N.A. allow it?

And sorry, but this is a KNOWN risk when you apply to any force. If you aren't comfortable confronting an unknown person as a LEO, then it's time to consider a career change.

It is in the Traffic Safety Act under Vehicle Equiptment Regulations. It is about the driver being able to maintain control of the vehicle for as long as possible. Eg traffic saafety

You do know that placing a tint film on glass would actually keep it together longer right? think about it, a film with glue attached to the glass..

Yep it does and it comes into the vehicle like a blade and slices the driver to pieces. Seen it before.
:budo:

Good grief, you guys really know how to argue. It doesn't matter "WHY" the law was brought into effect. For all we know, legislature felt tinting the windows attracted death rays from Mars....

But here is the Law:

Vehicle Equipment Regulation, Alta Reg 322/2002

Putting after market tint or film, whether it's 0%, 10%, 50% or 90% tint, is illegal and punishable by a fine.

/thread.

Nobody is debating that fact that it IS a law.... Good lord... Nothing wrong with having a discussion as to why it's a law. If we all just took things at face value and caved to the fact that "that's the way it is, because well, that's just the way it is," we'd still be living in the stone age. Discussing the "why" not only gives people a better understanding, but paves the way for change on certain things.

LOL...since when, on AO, has a "discussion" with differences of opinion, especially when it's based on mere speculation and opinion, ever resulted in anything but eventual insults and a http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/image...t_hot_lock.gif at the end.

It's quite humourous actually....so, please...don't let me stop you. I'll just grab some :party0052:
:)

Who cares why/what/how/when people are discussing... It's a bloody online forum meant for discussion. You don't want to be part of the discussion, then it's pretty easy to stay out it (well for some maybe...) But ya, I guess if you want to keep up with your usual passive-agressive attitude towards others on here, then you're probably correct about this particular discussion.... :)

Back on topic- while I understand the merits of the law, I have no intention of taking the tint off our car until told to/forced to. It helps keep the sun out, and it's easier to laugh at bad drivers when they can't see you! :)

I rest my case....

Pretty weak case if you ask me. Keep on, keeping on Dave.... Bye for now.

Yes Dave, we know it's illegal, but as mentioned no one (cops included) can give a proper reason.

Rancho, yes I've 'heard' That also, but no one can say that the plain glass wouldn't of done the same thing. I have also seen a rally car barrel roll and tinted shattered glass kept his arms inside the car (similar to window nets in NASCAR). So it could be debated either way.

Because they are unlikely to hit the driver. And technically it isn't legal to apply tintthe same as the fronts. Most vehicles glass is tinted rears from the factory so does not conflict with the rating in the corner.
I read the Traffic Safety Act to find this out. If you want to know for sure, stop conjecting and read it yourself.
It is not legal to alter any item on a vehicle that has been inspected and certified with a safety rating unless it is approved by the manufacturer. . Tires, glass, seats, seatbelts, suspension, etc.

I believe it is so the officers can see that you aren't reaching for more than your license and registration.

GOtta offset the the deficit some how!!!

bingo, we have a winner. Except for the part about there being a separate charge for dark tint- same charge, same offence, same fine amount.

To me, the biggest reason for tint laws is due to the negative effect they have on your visibility at night. Do drivers wear sunglasses when they drive at night? Never pulled one over that was...can't see $chitt at night with them on. Tinted film has a similar effect. Think about driving through a crosswalk at night in the city...or pulling out from a parallel parking spot at night while a pedestrian or cyclist is passing by. Pretty tough to see cyclists or pedestrians in these situations at the best of times, let alone with tinted film on your windows.

Also, the comment about 'factory tint' no longer applies. Most, if not all, factory tint on the front driver/passenger windows these days is not installed at the 'factory', it is farmed out to tint companies after dealers take delivery of the vehicle. Each and every person that I've stopped for tint in the last 10 years that claims 'factory tint' has had a tinted adhesive film applied from the 'factory'. Manufacturers simply don't tint or smoke the glass in front driver/passenger windows anymore. Haven't in years.

I'm sure a certain someone out there will chime in with the 'real truth' about factory tint lol :sign0161:

That sort of makes sense... eye contact between drivers and between drivers and pedestrians at intersections for instance....is often important.

bump..... :sHa_sarcasticlol:

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!?!!!!

Careful karma can be a female dog.

Sinner! :love0025:

Awesome bump.:angry3:

I bought a very classy Sport truck years ago, with tinted windows.
He drove it for several years.
The first summer I had it I got TWO tickets in ONE day wit it!!
Ft. Mac, Spruce grove, and Barrhead - the Barrhead cop let me off when I told him I was taking the tint off as soon as I got to an auto store that sold the stuff to take it off!!:sign0176:
Cat