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| Last updated at 8:44 AM on 16/07/08 |
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Terry Clouston, owner and operator of Terry the Tinter, stands beside a vehicle that has just had its back window tinted. — Photo by Rhonda Hayward/The Telegram |
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Clear as mud 
Window tinter says rules are obscure: RNC disagrees
DAVE BARTLETT
The Telegram
Terry Clouston makes his living tinting car windows.
But lately, he says, the police have been cracking down on his customers.
“Everybody’s getting pulled over left, right and centre, getting tickets,” says Clouston.
He says the biggest problem with tinted windows is confusion over what’s legal.
“You get some officers ... telling people to take (the tinted sheeting) off their full car. Some are telling them you can’t have any tint on the front. Some are telling them that 70 per cent is legal, so I mean what the hell is legal?”
All that confusion has been bad for business.
“We’re down, big time,” Clouston said. “We’re usually doing about, oh I don’t know, six, seven cars a day this time of the year. Now we’re only down to a couple if we’re lucky. It’s wicked b’y.”
Clouston says at least one customer a day comes into his shop to have tinted window glaze removed — between 30 and 40 in the last month.
He says tinted glass seems to be gaining a bad reputation, even though it offers many benefits.
“It filters (ultraviolet) rays, keeps your car cooler ... it keeps the sun off the small children. It’s got lots of good things about it but (the police are) really, really cracking down on the tint these days,” he says.
But the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) say there is no crackdown.
Sgt. Paul Murphy is in charge of the RNC’s traffic section and says if there seems to be crackdown, it could be because the RNC just brought back its traffic section last year.
Murphy says the regulations his officers enforce are based on rules put forward by Transport Canada.
Those rules state that 70 per cent of light must pass through the front side windows, meaning those windows can only be tinted by 30 per cent.
Rear windows of vehicles can be completely tinted, up to 100 per cent, he says.
“Everything behind the driver and the (front) passenger’s shoulders,” Murphy explains.
He acknowledged officers have handed out quite a few tickets.
“It’s mostly the younger people with the sported-up cars.”
He wasn’t sure what the fine for being over the 30 per cent tint limit is, and told The Telegram to check with the courts. And he said he didn’t think people would lose demerit points for having overly dark car windows as it would likely be considered a vehicle defect as opposed to a moving violation.
However, according to provincial court in St. John’s, fines range from $23 to $51.75 and two demerit points, depending on which act the person is charged under: the Highway Traffic Act or one of two sections under the Licensing and Equipment Regulations section of that act, which is administered by the provincial Department of Government Services.
To add to the confusion, a spokeswoman for Transport Canada says its regulations only deal with new cars sold in Canada or vehicles imported for sale.
And under its rules passenger cars cannot have any tinting above 30 per cent, and trucks, vans and SUVs can only have tinting behind the driver if the vehicle is equiped with special mirrors.
Once a vehicle is sold, she says, provincial laws govern what’s legal.
dbartlett@thetelegram.com
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16/07/08
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Mark from Mount Pearl, NL writes: Forget the tinted windows. Oh, by the way, it's ILLEGAL to tint the Windshield, Driver and Passenger Side windows. It's called identifying any potential witnesses.
While we're at it, make those stupid mufflers illegal - I don't care how loud you think your engine is with one of those stupid, glorified peni5 enlargers is - it only makes you look stupid.
while we're at, ban those stupid rear spoilers on 1984 Pontiac Grand AMs.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 9:14 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Well Then from St. Johns, Newfoundland writes: Look as if no one wants to commit to a clear and concise meaning of a law or regulation that could come right back and bite them in the behind. Tell you this much. I purchase a car or truck and it passes the inspection it passed the tint laws. Today it can be this and Friday it will be that. Someone needs to set a precedent in court to put this to bed once and for all. If the RNC, RCMP and Department of Motor Vehicles can not put one law on paper that can be agreed to by all parties then look out. It’s open season on everything from the colour of your hair to the shoes on your feet.
Can we take the comments made by Sgt. Paul Murphy and I need to quote him here if one of the RNC ever happens to hit up a car or truck that I own on a bad day and I need to call this in as evidence. “Murphy says the regulations his officers enforce are based on rules put forward by Transport Canada.
Those rules state that 70 per cent of light must pass through the front side windows, meaning those windows can only be tinted by 30 per cent.
Define light. Natural or manmade light? Just light. Well you place a 1000watt bulb on the glass I bet you will be shutting your eyes pretty fast. Here the fun starts again. Not a clearly defined law.
Rear windows of vehicles can be completely tinted, up to 100 per cent, he says.
“Everything behind the driver and the (front) passenger’s shoulders,” Murphy explains.
He acknowledged officers have handed out quite a few tickets.
“It’s mostly the younger people with the sported-up cars.”
So you can also walk away from his comments that the RNC approves of profiling a demographic and style. When did style and age become reason to harass kids Mr. Murphy? This seems to be a very bad message to be sending out to junior officers that is ok to continue on that path of targeting a specific age group which legally owns and operates a certain type of car or truck and has it configured in a specific fashion legally.
But what do I know. The laws seem to change so rapidly to suit the time of day and phase of the moon.
Silly things like this need to be black and white. No gray areas left open since everyone has a different view on the matter.
Just my 2 cents
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 9:23 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Dennis Rice from St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador writes: So, Mr. Clouston admits that he doesn't know what the law is, and doesn't know what the penalty is for breaking it?
Seems like some homework is needed here.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 9:47 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Jason Stewart from Halifax, NS writes: “It’s mostly the younger people with the sported-up cars.”
This is probably because only the kids with souped up cars are the ones tinting their windows. I don't see too many middle aged soccer moms pimping their ride. That's like saying it is profiling when only crackheads are getting busted for crack.
When they say that tinting must allow 70% of light to pass through, it doesn't matter if it's natural or manmade. Light is light. You will be blinded by a 1000 watt lightbulb? That because 70% of the light from a 1000 watt bulb is still pretty darn bright.
Based on the article, the law seems pretty clear. Front windows can be tinted up to a maximum of 30%. Rear windows can be tinted as much as you'd like.
I also agree with the previous poster about the mufflers and the spoiler comment made me smile. It doesn't matter if you have $15,000 woth of upgrades, it's still a 1998 Neon fool.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 10:05 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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No Idea from NL writes: Neither the RNC nor RCMP knows the exact regulations on vehicle window tint. Last year I actually had Terry put some tint on the windows of my vehicle. But before doing so, I called the RNC and the officer I spoke to didn't know the regulations. He said I'm not sure by, as long as it's not too dark . How's that for interpretation. He also didn't know if there were regulations against driver and passenger side windows. So, with this great information I tried calling the RCMP. The person I spoke to there told me that as long as it didn't interfere with driver's view it was fine. WOW, those are some clearly defined rules. I later moved to Nova Scotia. They have mandatory inspections there on any new vehicle being registered. My vehicle failed the inspection, even though it was less than a year old... reason, tint on the driver and passenger windows. The garage said that Transport Canada regulates that no after-market tint be on the driver and passenger side windows, but the remaining rear windows can be as dark as you like. I recently moved back to Newfoundland and moved into an apartment next to a RCMP officer. What was the first thing I seen... a car in the driveway with dark tint on the driver and passenger windows, dark tint that was definitely more than 30%! I haven't gotten a ticket for it, but I no longer have tint on my windows either. I've spent $85 on applying tint and removing it from my passenger and driver side windows. Here you have a case where no one knows the rules on this, not even the police, yet they go around giving out tickets. DISGUSTING! P.S. Terry The Tinter does an amazing job at a very reasonable price!
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 10:12 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Mark from CBS, NL writes: I was stopped yesterday for the tint in my truck windows. Here is the funny part. I own a 2007 Ford ranger and the tint in my front windows was done at the factory before I even seen the truck. I purchased my truck in Lac La Biche alberta (new) and in alberta the tint is perfectly legal. Go figure. The officer who stopped me said I had 40% light passing through ( with his little handheld device) and that I should have at least 70%. I recieved a $23 ticket under section 38(1) of the licencing and equipment regulations which is no demerit points. If you get charged under the highway traffic act (usually a second offence) it is a $53 fine and 2 demerit points.
In no way was the officer confused about what was legal. It is perfectly legal to tint your windows as long as the tint follows guidlines laid out in the Licencing and equipment regulations.
And just so all is aware, I called 2 tint stores in the city and all told me of the regulations. Suppliers of window tint are well aware of the rules.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 10:24 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Tinted Owner 50+ from NL writes: The law is certainly not clear, rather shaded from what i see. Like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. Having said that, is there an officer sitting at Fort Townshend siffting through the Traffic Act plucking out laws that they haven't enforsed lately, because i don't understand why all of a sudden these things reach the top of the priority list. Maybe it's because the issuance of tickets for other important rules have declined. The law was always there. I have been stopped in the last couple of years since my windows were tinted and not once was it mentioned. Why isn't it consistently enforced. When was the last time a ticket was issued for not wearing a seat belt at night, or using a cell phone at night. It's funny how things become important.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 10:49 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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John Moyst from St.John's, NL writes: After researching this subject, I find that the laws regarding window tinting are extremely vague and can be interpreted in any number of different ways.
The current automotive tint laws in Newfoundland are the same as in Ontario and state that for the driver's compartment, right and left, no film can be installed that would substantially obscure visibility from the exterior. Behind the driver's compartment, any film can be installed.
What percentage would substantially obscure visibility? The problem with this law is that the language is unclear and the interpretation is uncertain.
I have also researched the benefits of auto tinting. Normal auto glass without tint reflects about 5% of light, absorbs about another 5% and transmits the other 90% of light into the car. Tinting the windows changes these percentages depending on the type and quality of tinting film applied.
Tinting film doesn't just block visible light, though. It also blocks harmful UV rays that have been known to cause cancer as well as infra-red rays that cause heat to build up in your car.
The fact that an honest local business owner like Mr. Clouston is experiencing hardship because of the vagueness of this law is ridiculous.
The legislation should be changed so that the language is clear and the interpretation is certain.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 11:31 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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2 Tickets from Newfoundland writes: I received a ticket a few years ago for tinted windows on my truck. The officer used an electronic device to measure the darkness of the tint and said it was over the limit. I believe the ticket was $20. I've since gotten rid of that truck; however, my wife was recently stopped and ticketed for tint in her windows. That officer had no method to measure the darkness of the tint and informed her that all tint on the front side windows was illegal. She was given a $23 ticket. I tried doing some research to determine the 70% rule I had heard about, but I could not find anything that clearly defined the law for this province. I just figured it was easier to pay the $23 than to fight this...unfortunately, I imagine most people take this approach.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 11:39 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Funky Monkey from NL writes: Well, I got to say, I hope The Independent never runs into financial trouble, leaving The Telegram the only game in town. Or else they may get lazy and start running stories about car window tinting on the front page...ohhh...ishhh...(tugs at collar)
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 11:46 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Steve from St. John's, nl writes: i'm still confused... who actually knows what is legal about window tinting??!?!?
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 11:57 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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P. Perry from St. John's, NL writes: We seem not to be getting the point here. The law exists for the safety of drivers and pedestrians. Eye contact is an essential part of safe driving and should be consistently practiced by all, especially pedestrians for their own protection. Heavy tinting (of the front windows) prevents effective eye contact and necessitates making assumptions about a driver's intentions - not something I want to do on a regular basis!
As for profiling, give me a break! I would have serious questions about a police force that ignores obvious clues and trends in favour of some artificial, politically correct, attempt to not offend any real or imagined sector of society. If you have a vehicle that begs attention, please don't be offended when it receives it!
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 12:11 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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W McLean from ON writes: Define light.
The ambient light outside the car. The source or intensity is irrelevant.
There is nothing more frustrating, as a pedestrian, than trying to make eye contact with a driver at an intersection when you can't tell what they're about to do, or whether they even know you're there.
Tacky tinty trash. Ban the works.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 12:20 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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DB from NL writes: Why would anyone tint the driver and front passenger windows? Anyone with tinted windows already knows that it cuts down an visibility especially at night - and night comes early in winter. But if you like ironing boards on your trunk and soup cans on your tail pipe then you probably wouldn't understand why tinting the front windows is a bad idea.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 12:20 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Doyle B. from St Johns, Newfoundland writes: Do the people who wear those police uniforms and drive these patrol cars know any of the laws they are supposed to be enforcing? It's starting to look like they don't. That's two instances in less than a week.
First it's all the cash poker games that are being played in the bars. The Rnc says that if you pay it's illegal and they don't do anything about that. Now it's the tinted windows, some say this, some say that. Depending who hauls you over, the law may be different. Is there a book maybe these guys can read so they know just what it is that they are supposed to be enforcing. Is there a Policing For DUMMIES book that the Rnc can purchase.
How about we tint the windows in all the patrol cars. They could tint it so you can't see out through the windows. At least then the Rnc could have a legitimate excuse for not enforcing real laws which go un-enforced. As it stands now, nobody can see through the actions and practices of our Rnc - Even without tinted windows.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 12:30 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Carl from Mount Pearl writes: Mark from CBS got it right. Local tint shops know the rules; Terry the Tinter is confused ..... if I ever wanted tint, I believe I know who I would not get to do it.
Heavily tinted front windows are a nuisance at an intersection and surely prevent a good description of some offenders (from traffic violators to hit-and-runs to a lot worse). If the no-tint rules lead to one more dirt-bag getting caught; great stuff.
Not every officer you get on the phone is going to be up to speed on every issue. Sgt. Murphy explains things just fine for me and if the crew that cry profiling can't live with it; too bad for them.
The only problem I have with a crackdown, if there is one, is that they should be cracking down on more things such as jay-walking, littering, vehicles backing onto thoroughfares, and vehicles with two sets of headlights on. With all this great publicity on the tint issue, the fine should now be doubled or quadrupled.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 12:34 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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wayne from nl writes: I would like to see the Telegram do a follow up to this story with a direct quote from Sgt. Paul Murphy ( after he has done his homework of course) as to the exact laws regarding tinted windows and why any tickets will be issued. Afterall the traffic section are the ones who opened this bucket of worms by issuing tickets! This shouldn't be too hard now should it? I mean he is in charge of the RNC's traffic section right? Every employee no matter where you work is expected to know the job inside and out are they not? Why should we expect any less from him?
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 12:37 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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j f from nl writes: how about this for thought...if the law is not black/white...it can be used as alaw of convenience....they can issue tickets when and if the quota requires it...clarification need to be made! mark is right...do something about those mufflers etc....all of those kids with the fifty cent rides and thousand dollar makeovers..A CAULIFLOWER IS ONLY CABBAGE WITH AN EDUCATION!!!
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 12:42 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Claude Howse from St. John's, Newfoundland writes: I agree the laws seem to change to suit the time of day and the phase of the moon. When was the last time we heard of an accident being caused by a driver with over tinted windows. I would rather see a crackdown on cellphone usage while driving, The other day with my wife and children in tow we went for a relaxing drive to Middle cove beach, and then to Bowering park, During that time I counted no less than 30 drivers all with total disregard for using a cellphone while operating a motor vehicle.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 12:54 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Robert from NL writes: I love how people are simply interjecting their own thoughts on the law here. We aren't concerned with your opinions, we just want the law. I don't care if you like my vehicle or the tint on the windows, I just want to be a citizen obeying the law. As for this predestrian garbage, I've had close calls with dozens of vehicles walking to work this summer, have a guess at how many had tint on their windows, NONE! Most of them are older people that just don't pay attention when driving. You have people with motorcycles and their helmets have tinted visors. Is there any law against this? They have the same visial restrictions. A friend of mine got pulled over last week and ticketed for having tint on his front windows. It was less than 30%, but the cop didn't even check with a device, just issued a ticket and told him to take it off. I don't think the police have a clue what the law is!
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 2:00 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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bill from Mount Pearl, NF writes: I see several problems with all of this debate. First, Mr Murphy clearly showed is ignorance of the law, the latest enforcement trends , and the fact that officers are carrying a device to measure the tint. Congratulations Mr. Murphy, you upheld the unprofessional image of the RNC. I guess you aren't one of the ones who has gone through the new RNC training.
Secondly, the law is either confusing or non-existant, and it is not fair to ticket anyone under such circumstances. The officer writes the ticket, then a public citizen has to go to Court and prove their innocence. That is a breach of the Charter in my books. If window tint is an issue, talk to the Minister of Justice, not target innocent people.
Thirdly, when automobile insurance is through the roof, drugs are everywhere, robberies are at an all time high, why are the RNC so interested in window tint. I suspect it is a revenue issue. Another form a taxation, pure and simple. If this taxation is necessary I would suggest that the RNC concentrate on the motorcycles going around town with straight exhaust pipes, the failure to use turn signals, illegal lane changes, and other accident-contributing acts that would make it safer for all of us on the road.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 2:06 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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BE from NL writes: Two points here;
First point: RNC/RCMP officers need to educate themselves. A citizen should be able to get a concise and correct answer to any inquiry regarding the highway traffic act etc.
Second point: most people in this province should understand that the windsheild as well as the front driver and passenger side glazing has to allow those outside the motor vehicle to see the driver for obvious safety reasons.
Terry the tinter gets no sympathy from me since it should be obvious that he should know that tinting of the front windows is a no no. Ignorance of the law is just that...IGNORANCE.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 2:08 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Pierre from New Brunswick writes: Doyle B gave me a wonderful idea. If we tint the windows in all the bars in St Johns, then the cops won't see what's going on behind the windows and we could play poker without all these interuptions. Then again they'd probably say that you couldn't let in less than 70 % light, even in a building.
It looks like the whole RNC lets in less than 30% light. They're always in the dark her lately.
Somebody turn on the lights!
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 2:34 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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GrandMaster Cool B from Shea Heights, NL writes: I shuld be able to pimp out my ride as I feel like it.
We makin good money now with the oil and I wants to put it in my ride then that is my business y'all.
Forget the tint and put in a bigger stereo and wake up da neighbours!
Know what I'm sayin?
Word.
Peace.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 2:35 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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John from NL writes: Bad for business? Well this front page story will fix that.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 2:41 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Joe Jackson from Outside, NL writes: Mark from CBS corrctly refers to the regulation; 38(1) of the Licensing and Equipment Regulations. You can read it for yourself at www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/Regulations/rc961007.htm. Scoll down to section 38 Window Glazing. Section 38(1)(b) refers to standards established by the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Standard 205, Window Glazing (which you will find at www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/m/mvsa/regulations/mvsrg/200/mvsr205.html). This standard refers to ANSI Z26 Safety Standard--1996 which is the American National Standards Institute for North American automobile manufactures. A summary of these standards can be found at www.glasslinks.com/newsinfo/nhtsa_ansi.htm (scroll down to F. Limiting the Width of the Shade Band ). All of this basically agrees with what Sgt. Murphy said: light tint is allowed up front and darker tint is allow in the back.
The truth is out there; you just have to find it.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 2:54 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Carlson from NL writes: Some people don't have a clue! Dark tint on the front windows impairs the driver's ability to see and is also a danger to police officers. If a police officer pulls over a vehicle that is 100% tinted the driver could be holding a shotgun waiting for the officer to tap on the window. The officer would have no chance to see it. One person stated that robberys are at an all time high. How are police officers supposed to prevent a robbery from happening? Oh I know...we need one police officer for every civilian. Then we could all have a police officer hold our hand to make sure we didn't do anything wrong. Some people are stupid! If you don't want a ticket...don't tint your front windows...wear a pair of sunglasses instead.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 3:03 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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N. Whalen from St. John's, NL writes: Good day,
First of all, I wanted to address the comment made by Sgt. Paul Murphy, in saying “It’s mostly the younger people with the sported-up cars.” Actually, I just spoke to Terry Clouston, and he seems to disagree. He told me that people get tinting performed on their cars from all demographics, and that ...the younger people with sported-up cars, were only a small percentage. Therefore, if the RNC is being prejudicial in only ticketing ...the younger people with sported-up cars, then I do believe that would be considered a form of age discrimination. As most educated citizens are aware, age discrimination has been illegal since the legislation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Maybe the RNC needs to be more careful with what they say before they're slapped with a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Secondly, Terry informed me that many people have been having tinting done on their car because they have severe skin cancer or sunburns due to harmful UV rays. If consistantly growing numbers of citizens have to remove tinting due to obvious confusion by law, we will continue to see an increase in citizens with skin cancer or severe sunburns.
Thirdly, the article clearly stated that his business and the entire tinting industry was suffering from an astronomical decline in sales due to the confusion. If the Governments are willing to pass laws that inhibit the growth of industry such as this, why don't we pass laws that destroy the oil, housing, and retail industries. Hey, while we're at it, maybe we could even begin arresting people for attempting to move to Fort MacMurray. Bottom line here is that, things may become out of control if we allow the governments to pass vague legislation.
Finally, the real issue here seems to be that the police haven't a clue about what the law is or how to properly judge the tinting within the guidelines. The police cannot ticket people if they haven't actually done anything wrong. If they could, then we'd start being fined for brushing our teeth or watching television. Provide our officiers with proper training and clear, concise legislation and then this problem will just go away.
You know, law was initially created to enhance society and aid us in living our lives safely and pleasurably. But this law, has Terry, Average Joe and Your Regular Skin Cancer Patient living a nightmare.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 3:12 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Lisa from St.John's, NL writes: To tint or not to tint? That should be up to the person who owns the vehicle, I don't however agree with the front windows tinted. But I do agree with the rear doors and rear window being allowed to be 100% tinted. Imaging being in you car and putting down the sun visor to block the sun or raising your hand to block the rays when they strike. Now imagine being a infant or a toddler in the back buckled in and not able to move away from the bright and hot rays from the sun. So to one of your previous writers Soccor moms do like having their windows tinted to protect their children this is not just about young adults and souped up cars, even though I do agree someone should get rid of those loud tail pipes, but if they do that they should also take all Harleys (motorcycles) away from their owners there is nothing louder than them and I have family members that own those. So there is no clear law on noise of a car or motocycle or window tint. But the laws are certainly clear with cell phone and seatbelt usuage and I think these things should be getting the attention not a bit of tinted glass. I'd say I could easily count 25 people on a daily in there cars just on my comute to work and home again. Also as for the comment If a vehicle that begs attention, please don't be offended when it gets it to that writer tinted windows don't beg for attention I don't think, I think cell phones are a much bigger problem.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 3:41 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Bubb Rubb from NL writes: Forget tinted windows. What you need is whistle tips on the exhaust. That's like an alarm clock WOO WOOO!
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 4:01 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Tony Rumbolt from Corner Brook, Newfoundland writes: There is no confusion over the tint laws in this province unless you are trying to create confusion to sell tinted windows or you are trying to get out of a ticket.
When a car comes from the factory the glass on the front drivers side and passengers side windows allow 70 percent of the light to pass through. If you apply any after market tint to those windows you could recieve a ticket. It is possible that one officer will ticket you and another officer will not, that does not make it legal. One officer may give you a warning at 115 km/hr and another officer may give you a ticket at 115 km/hr its just officer discretion. The Licencing and Equipment regulations of the Province state clearly what tint is allowed.
http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/Regulations/rc961007.htm#38_
See section 38.
This is a provincial regulation and may change between provinces.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 4:31 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Found A Good One from Right Here, Newfoundland writes: Kay, just got a good one. LIMOS!! Need I say more? We all know they have blacked out windows front and back. TICKETS PLEASE, I want to know that these limos have been served even if they are in the parking lots or the rest of the tickets are null and void. Failing to ticket on an equal basis makes things even more interesting.
Whats good for one is not good for others I see, or not see depending on what side of the glass you are on. Come On RNC Go Get Em, or you have failed to do your job properly and fairly if you fail to go after reported law breakers. This has been my report of a violation and I expect to see a posting on the Telegram that states the limos have been pulled over in the same way as everyone else.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 4:39 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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John Moyst from St.John's, NL writes: BE from NL writes:
Terry the Tinter gets no sympathy from me because it should be obvious that he should know that tinting of the front windows is a no-no. Ignorance of the law is just that....IGNORANCE.
The law does allow for some tinting of the front and side windows. Therefore, it is BE who is ignorant of the law and ignorance of the law is just that.....IGNORANCE.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 4:59 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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greg davis from st. johns, nl writes: As a former Ontario peace officer, I commend the RNC on this initiative. I always drew my weapon while approaching these cars ,not knowing who or what was on the other side of that glass. Let me give you a small sample of the profile of tinted vehicle drivers............. gang members, thieves, drug dealers, b&e artists, impaired drivers, beer drinkers , dope smokers, abductors and abductees, child molesters just to name a few...Triple the fine and a loss of 6 points should teach them a lesson.........
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 5:20 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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K from NL writes: At least some of the people actually did some research before posting a comment, unlike some. It is NOT illegal, regardless of how many CAPS you use in the work, to tint the drivers or passengers windows. It was at one point only allowed to be tinted to 5% (allowing 95% in), but it was never illegal to have tint on these windows.... just a very low grade tint was allowed.
The comments on the wings and mufflers... at least they were entertaining :) There's nothing wrong with putting a wing on a car... even if it is a sadly pimped out neon. But for peet sake people... don't make them out of plywood and paint your car with a roller from dollaramma !
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 5:54 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Sven from NL writes: -- Mark from CBS, NL writes: I was stopped yesterday for the tint in my truck windows. Here is the funny part. I own a 2007 Ford ranger and the tint in my front windows was done at the factory before I even seen the truck. I purchased my truck in Lac La Biche alberta (new) and in alberta the tint is perfectly legal. --
You certain that isn't dealer installed tint and not factory tinting.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 5:59 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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janis jones from c.b.s., nl. writes: how mindless is that comment..the younger bunch.i am quite older and have a great ride.i get stopped quite a lot,a look of question on the officer's face.i have tint on my windsheild.the last stop by police told me if i was in an accident,the tint creates a film that they couldn't break open if they had to take me out the window..i scraped some tint off for him right there..are sunglasses considered tint..are migranes reason for a tint..yes..
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 7:36 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Sharon Luffman from Newfoundland writes: If you don't want to get charged, all you have to do is make a public statement in the Telegram that if charged you'll challenge it in court because you have legal advice saying that it's legal. It's working for Doolys and the poker lol What they're doin is illegal too lol
Only in Newfoundland! Pity!
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 7:47 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Dark Vader from nl writes: So... are certain shades of sunglasses illegal too ? People with such negative and myopic views of society like Greg Davis should never be allowed to be peace officers. He must have spent much of his shift writing reports on why he drew his sidearm (he calls them weapons - that tells you everything). If there was a shotgun behind a tinted window, having a drawn sidearm will not help him if he can't see it anyways. I'll be going down to Fort Townsend tomorrow to get my sunglasses checked for driving compliance. I wouldn't want to be charged with possession of illegal sunglasses while operating a motor vehicle. (Funny how such silly statements work both ways.) The RNC can then put these businesses who sell these dangerous items under surveillance, and set up stings to get these contraband items out of vehicles.
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| Posted 16/07/2008 at 9:58 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Joe from NL writes: Young people with hopped up cars have been the target of SOME police officers for decades. It could be a power trip thing. If any of us, when we were kids, had a nice car, we probably had an idiot cop leaning on us. NOT all cops, mind you! Having said that, officers need to be able to see into a car. Can somebody please draw up the guidelines and let the kids take pride in their cars? Or would we rather they had no interest in that, and instead turn to drugs? Give them the rules and leave them alone. As for the mufflers, NONE of those cars are near as noisy as a factory Harley Davidson, or near as annoying as barking dogs which the city seem to allow everywhere. By the way, don't we have a crime problem in this city other than tinted windows??? Is there something better for the police to be doing right now? Obviously, the RNC are not short-handed anymore.
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| Posted 17/07/2008 at 6:43 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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John Doe from NL writes: HOW ABOUT THOSE BLUE JAYS!!!!
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| Posted 17/07/2008 at 7:51 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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dave b from nl writes: This is nothing new, I remember 10 years ago when I was a younger person with sporty car , it was pretty common known what you could tint (30% on the front, unlimited on the rear). And honestly this is probably about right for safety. I used to put 95% on my rear windows and several of my cars back in the day. Good luck backing up at night, can't see a thing out through those windows. I knew guys who did 95% (limo) tint all windows and was just plain not safe. At night you couldn't see a thing out the windows. Try walking around at night with dark sunglasses on, same thing. As for crackdown, I doubt it, they've been ticketing for this as long as I remember. And as for not knowing the law. I've always been told the same 30% that was mentioned here. The police have a device they put over the window that tells them how much tint you have. Seems like a pretty cut and dry law to me. Usually the tint places know whats legal and will tell you. However some of them will install whatever you tell them, legal or not. As for someone said they had factory tinting. I don't think so, more like dealer installed tinting. Usually the dealers will get one of the tint companies to install it, similar to stripe packages, bug deflectors, vent visors, decals and other accessories, etc... They are all dealer installed options, not factory, big difference. All the windows in the trucks leave the factory the same.
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| Posted 17/07/2008 at 8:40 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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