Police give update on tint enforcement plans

Police say enforcement on vehicles with dark tinted windows remains in the preparatory stage, with no special operations planned and no arrests or court cases to date related to the new tint law.

Superintendent Wayne Archer who gave the update at a press conference on Wednesday said: “We are in a stage where we are preparing for the new law and the enforcement of that law. Like any other traffic law, seatbelt, using cell phones, ways of driving, etc., etc. So there’s a process in which officers have to be trained. There’s a process in which equipment has to be acquired as well. And once we have acquired that equipment, then we are in a better position to start enforcing this particular law. But, like I said, it will not be enforced beyond that of any other traffic violations, traffic laws.”

Supt Archer further confirmed that there have been no arrests and no matters before the courts in relation to the tint legislation. “As yet, we are still preparing to do our enforcement as far as this new law is concerned. So, to date, no arrests, no matters before the court in relation to this,” he said, adding that “as of now, there’s no special operation regarding tint.”

The tint legislation stems from an amendment to the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles) (Windscreens and Windows) Regulations.

Coming into effect on December 1, the rules require front driver and passenger windows to allow at least 25 per cent of visible light, rear windows and the rear windscreen 20 per cent, and the front windscreen 70 per cent, with a three‑per cent margin of error. Metallic and mirrored tints are prohibited, and visor tints are restricted, depending on windscreen size. Implementation was delayed and a grace period was proposed to allow motorists to comply.

The law aims to improve road safety and aid crime prevention by enhancing visibility into vehicles, as heavily tinted windows have been seen as a barrier to effective police stops and a potential risk in criminal activity.
(SZB)