Motorists queue for free tint tests ahead of enforcement deadline

Car owners have been flocking to a dozen free vehicle tint testing sites in advance of a major crackdown on illegal window tints, as the government prepares to start ticketing non-compliant motorists from September 1.

The locations opened on Wednesday and will operate until Sunday, as part of phase one of the government’s vehicle tint sensitisation programme.

The initiative, a collaboration between the Prime Minister’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office, is staffed by more than 60 young people deployed across the sites.

Sergeant Kemar White of The Barbados Police Service’s Traffic Department explained the process motorists undergo when they bring their vehicles in for testing.

“For the next five days, persons… can come, get their tint checked to find out if they are compliant,” he said.

Motorists are being encouraged to check if their vehicle’s tint is within the legal limits. 

“If their vehicle is not compliant, they’ll be told what corrective measures need to be done,” Sergeant White explained. “This may be just removing the tint, or they can also go and get it retinted by a person of their own choice.”

However, he made it clear that police are not in a position to recommend any particular tinting company.

“The higher the number, it means the more light is being transmitted through the glass, and the lower the number, the less light,” he explained.

He advised that those seeking to reapply tint should work with reputable providers who use a tint metre. 

“Most factory glass already blocks out about 20 per cent of the light coming in… So if you go and put on, say, you want to ask a person for 20 per cent, you have to factor in the amount of light naturally being reflected out,” he said.

Motorists found to be non-compliant will have the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments before the enforcement phase begins on September 1. “This will be in the form of most likely a ticketing system, where a person will be issued a ticket, and they will have a stipulated time to go and rectify the matter.”

Each ticket carries a $500 fine, and the penalty will increase daily if the matter is not corrected.

Sergeant White pointed out that excessively dark tint has safety and security implications. 

“There have been a number of people who have been complaining about the extremely bright lights on vehicles at night blinding them,” he said. “When a person goes and puts extremely dark tint on a vehicle, at night, when they can’t see, they think that it’s because outside is dark, and turn on their high beams and blind persons.”

In addition to the danger of impaired visibility, he explained, dark tint is also being used to facilitate criminal activity: “We are having criminals who are targeting vehicles which are heavily tinted to commit crimes. So we ask persons, don’t take it as a joke. It’s a very serious endeavour.”

He noted that vehicles imported directly from manufacturers are generally within legal specifications, as the international standard is no less than 70 per cent light transmission on the front windscreen and front side windows. 

“What we normally see… is that persons, they go and buy their vehicles from the dealerships, get them inspected and passed, and then they go and put tint on the vehicle afterwards,” he said.

He acknowledged that there are cases where vehicles imported from overseas markets already have non-compliant aftermarket tint. However, factory-stained glass typically falls within legal thresholds.

Sergeant White also addressed misconceptions about UV protection: “Just because a vehicle is dark, that does not mean it has UV protection. There are a lot of clear tints and films which provide UV protection.”

The law focuses on visible light, not UV rays: “We are not testing any of the light waves that a human being cannot see. We’re only testing the visible light being transmitted.”

Sergeant White also noted that mirror and titanium tints, as well as deteriorated tints with bubbles, are now illegal, regardless of light transmission. 

“They may allow the correct amount of light in, however you, the person on the outside, cannot see into the vehicle. So it’s now strictly illegal,” he said.

Speaking at Kensington Oval, Sergeant White explained the process for medical exemptions to a motorist: “You get the medical from your doctor. Then you would apply to the Chief Licensing Officer and they will decide if you should get the tint and to what degree.” He added that exemptions apply only to one vehicle and one person, and are void if the vehicle is sold or the applicant dies.

Motorist Neville Greaves, who visited one of the testing sites, raised concerns about the testing process.

“There’s no signage that there’s anything taking place here at all,” he said. “You come down here, you may think they’re preparing for CPL.”

He also noted a lack of certification after testing. 

“There’s no certification saying that you’ve been tested and you’ve been approved either fully or partially,” he said, worrying that drivers might be stopped again by police and have to go through the process a second time.

Cost was another issue for Greaves. He said tint removal typically costs $50 to $80, while removal and replacement could cost around $320, depending on the size of the vehicle. “If I’m in a cash flow crunch, I will attempt to remove my tint myself,” he said, adding that he would wait to replace it when finances allow.

Another motorist, Rosalind Romeo, who accompanied her visually impaired friend, voiced concern about accessibility. 

“The glare is a problem for me. Should I get a letter from my doctor?” she asked. Romeo said the process at the testing site was clear and efficient, but added: “We’re just concerned about the disabled possibility as well as the exceptions for the disabled person.” 

louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb