64 charged for illegal tint since April 1; front windshield breaches lead cases

Since the updated tint regulations took effect on April 1, Police have charged 64 persons for the offence of tinted window glass above the legal limit, with the majority of those cases linked to front windshield violations.

“64 cases thus far have been across the country for the offence of tinted window glass in keeping with regulation,” Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh, told the News Room in an invited comment on Tuesday.

Singh made it clear that front windshield tint remains the primary concern for law enforcement, as it is strictly prohibited beyond a visor strip.

“Specifically the front windshield… the police man/woman who encounter that driver with that motor vehicle on the road took the action to charge because of the placement of the tint on the front windshield which clearly means that the driver or owner did not utilise the three month period given to correct their vehicle and still continued with the unlawful practice,” he explained.

He noted that while drivers with non-compliant side windows are often given an opportunity to correct the issue, those with tinted front windshields are more likely to be charged.

“Specifically the front windshield, I am certain that in most cases where they applied the test and the side glasses were found not to be in compliant an option was given… for them to comply rather than to charge them and place them before the court,” he added.

According to Singh, some of the charged individuals have already appeared before the courts, while others are still to be filed.

“From April 1 to now some would have already appear in court and the others are still to be filed for court,” he said.

While enforcement is ongoing, Singh added that the Police have been placing strong emphasis on public awareness and voluntary compliance.

“Most of our efforts would have been to assist the public to be more voluntarily compliant. Doing more tests, as far as we have more meters, we deploy the meters across the more popular regions to assist the process so that people can get themselves in line,” he explained.

He also emphasized that enforcement efforts have not been reduced.

“Enforcement is ongoing and persons are still not in compliance… I want the public to understand we did not scale down our exercise reference the tint but it was always on the front burner and given the attention as every other offence equally,” Singh noted.

Under the updated regulations, front side windows must allow 25% Visible Light Transmission (VLT), rear windows 20% VLT, while front windshields are only permitted a top visor strip at 25% VLT, with no additional tint allowed.

Persons found in breach face a $30,000 fine per infraction.