Window tinting question

[Chippysgt]

aw shucks.............................:shock:ops:

[Sportbiker]

SOOO my buddy got a ticket for having highly tinted front windows. so i got to thinking about why that is illegal...officer saftey came to mind first off. and reduction of vision came to me also...

my question is that i am a motorcycle rider as you know by now. I have a fully tinted/mirrored visor on my helmet, that restricts 360 degree viewing at all times (that is including the helmet too) whereas the car has 100 percent visablility on the front windows...

why is it legal for me to tint my vision but not for him??

[Mac]

....why is it legal for me to tint my vision but not for him??
Solely because no legislator with nothing better to do has thought of it yet! :badgrin:

[23109]

SOOO my buddy got a ticket for having highly tinted front windows. so i got to thinking about why that is illegal...officer saftey came to mind first off. and reduction of vision came to me also...

my question is that i am a motorcycle rider as you know by now. I have a fully tinted/mirrored visor on my helmet, that restricts 360 degree viewing at all times (that is including the helmet too) whereas the car has 100 percent visablility on the front windows...

why is it legal for me to tint my vision but not for him??

For the same reason it's not illegal to wear sunglasses while driving.

[D]

When your in a car at night with tinted windows I can't see the gun resting on your lap. On a motor cycle helmet I just cant see your mug.

[chp36]

When your in a car at night with tinted windows I can't see the gun resting on your lap. On a motor cycle helmet I just cant see your mug.

Very well put!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SB 405]

SOOO my buddy got a ticket for having highly tinted front windows. so i got to thinking about why that is illegal...officer saftey came to mind first off. and reduction of vision came to me also...

my question is that i am a motorcycle rider as you know by now. I have a fully tinted/mirrored visor on my helmet, that restricts 360 degree viewing at all times (that is including the helmet too) whereas the car has 100 percent visablility on the front windows...

why is it legal for me to tint my vision but not for him??

As the saying goes "if looks could kill" then it would be illegal.

[jaybb]

Who knows, I used to live in Florida and having tinted windows on the front passenger/drivers side was completely legal there (just not extremely dark "limo" tint).

When I moved out here for college at USC, I found out that it was illegal to have tinted windows when I got pulled over and cited. BMW said they would charge me almost $1000 to remove the tint as it was part of my lease package and would affect their resale value. My lease was up in less than 2 months at that point. So it wasn't worth it for me to pay all that money to remove it.

By the time I even found that information out, the same officer pulled me over and cited me again, this time he made it "non-correctable." The same CHP Officer pulled me over and cited me 5 times within a 3 month period for tinted windows. It was kind of inane.

In any event, I now feel like it's kind of a dumb law. Still lots of respect for you all though.

[SB 405]

I've noticed the latest craze is people who own dark colored cars have tint installed covering the tail lights. I assume this is illegal as well?

[chp36]

I've noticed the latest craze is people who own dark colored cars have tint installed covering the tail lights. I assume this is illegal as well?

Affirmative. During darknes taillamps must be plainly visible within 1,00 feet (vehicles manufactured after 1969). Ad dark colored lenses and this is not possible. This is an issue for me, especially during incliment weather (ie fog).

[Mac]

I've noticed the latest craze is people who own dark colored cars have tint installed covering the tail lights. I assume this is illegal as well?

It's a violation to alter factory lighting in ANY way - that includes covers, aftermarket lenses, etc. of any kind, unless they've been tested and certified to meet all requirements and specifications. Check section 26101 and 26104.

[retchp]

YM or Desert Rat may have seen this extreme example of "tinting" or window covering out in the Death Valley area. I used to regularly stop foreign tourists in the desert in the summer with aluminum foil covering ALL of the inside of their car windows except an approximate 12' x 18" area for the driver to look out of the windshield just ahead of the steering wheel and a smaller hole so they could look out both rear side view mirrors on each door window. It definitely kept the car's interior dark and cool but was always worth the cite.
Do they still do that?

[Fish'nChip]

SOOO my buddy got a ticket for having highly tinted front windows. so i got to thinking about why that is illegal...officer saftey came to mind first off. and reduction of vision came to me also...

my question is that i am a motorcycle rider as you know by now. I have a fully tinted/mirrored visor on my helmet, that restricts 360 degree viewing at all times (that is including the helmet too) whereas the car has 100 percent visablility on the front windows...

why is it legal for me to tint my vision but not for him??

Do you wear a tinted visor down at night? The motor riders that I know wear clear or yellow lenses at night.

You have to remember that window tint greatly affects your vision at night which is the main reason for the law. You may be able to see cars coming at night (with their headlights on) but what about a pedestrian or bicyclist. That is why if you have a medical condition you can put a sunshade up in the window...but you have to take it out at night. There is a huge difference looking out through a tinted vs. non-tinted window at night.

The majority of people put tint on their windows because they want the make their car look better not to shield themself from the sun. It is the same reason people use the headlamp/taillamp covers, license plate covers and put the opaque logos and lettering across the top of their windshield. Unfortunately all these things are illegal.

If you are worried about your interior fading/cracking then you can put the clear film that blocks UV (which is allowed if certain conditions are met) But you know what the average response is to that comment: "But that wouldn't make my car look as cool!" TOO BAD!

[dw]

If you are worried about your interior fading/cracking then you can put the clear film that blocks UV (which is allowed if certain conditions are met) But you know what the average response is to that comment: "But that wouldn't make my car look as cool!" TOO BAD!

I can understand that argument on older vehicles, but modern auto glass blocks a remarkable amount of UVA/UVB. I remember road trips growing up when we could get sun burnt through automobile glass. Not the case anymore.

[SB 405]

I've never tinted my windows but for as many years as I can remember I've used a car cover and have never had a problem from the elements. Have you noticed the factory tint on the new Mercedes? Looks almost blue.

[5-0]

i once took a fatal t-bone,intersection tc. the car that entered the intersection had tinted windows. the driver of the truck that was in the main thoroughfare told me that he could not tell if the driver saw him or not because her windows were tinted, so he assumed she saw him coming at 50 mph, truck had the right of way, she was entering the main rdwy. she was dragged a good 75 feet before completely stopping. it took over an hour to get her out. the fd work tremendously hard, their jaws of life was overheating from just bending metal. additionally, she was cited twice by 2 of our motors in the past and she just gladly paid the fine and left them on. now her parents are saying that its our fault, we should have made it "non-correctable". i got the green copy of the last motor that cited her and her statement to him was "but officer, it looks cool!"

[DESERT RAT]

Our DA here allows us to cite them for 24002(b)Unsafe vehicle. if the window tint is 20% Light transmission or darker, I got a Tint Meter (Very Handy). While in court one day, my partner got to witness a guy who I cited for this section. He stated " your honor, heres proof I got my tint taken off" the Judge says great, now your fine is "$120.00 (approx)!" "But your honor, I got my tint removed!" Judge says "Thats nice, the officer cited you for unsafe vehicle which carries a fine!" But, But, But.......... Hammer Drops $120.00, got love it! They had to pay to get their tint removed and a fine......:biggrin:

[5-0]

in my county you pay a fine either way, its +/- $177.00 but if the ofcr x's the no box you still pay the fine and must show proof of correction, double whammie!!!! if the ofcr x's the yes box, you only have to pay. so i cite them again and again and again and again and again...... 177+177+177+177+177, county and city ooves chp, cheng cheng!!! you get the message.

[Fish'nChip]

I've never tinted my windows but for as many years as I can remember I've used a car cover and have never had a problem from the elements. Have you noticed the factory tint on the new Mercedes? Looks almost blue.

Yeah, those higher end cars (Mercedes, BMW etc.) have some pretty cool glass in them. You can really tell when you look at it with polarized glasses or when you have to replace a window ($$$$).

You have to remember that they come from the factory with the glass tinted (not an applied film). FMVSS only allow certain levels of tinted glass installed in certain windows of cars. If you stopped a vehicle and it actually had dark tinted glass in the forward side windows there is no violation of 26708. You would have to go with 24002 because federal standards won't allow for it in that location.

The thing that is really pi$$ing me off lately are car dealers taking a brand new car and sending it out for tint and putting it back in the showroom. They then sell it and the buyer thinks it's factory. NOT!

There needs to be a law that makes an installer of illegal tint liable for any damage/injuries that occur. I GUARANTEE you that nobody will install it anymore:smile:

[makakona]

I can understand that argument on older vehicles, but modern auto glass blocks a remarkable amount of UVA/UVB. I remember road trips growing up when we could get sun burnt through automobile glass. Not the case anymore.
i recently borrowed my sister's untinted 2003 mazda for a drive from san diego to la and about died halway through the trip, my left arm was burning up! i decided then and there i'd never NOT have tinted windows. the back windows on my vehicle are very dark, but the front ones are fairly light and there's a huge difference between even that and my sister's or my husband's untinted vehicles. makes my car a ton cooler, too, when it's roasting in the california sun.

[Sportbiker]

well to me it all comes down to why the rule was initiated in the first place. Was it officer safety or was it personal safety...

honestly id haveta say that if i pull someone over, and they roll their window down before i get out of the car, then i wont cite them....if i havta knock on the window, then its commin off (i know, itll be that one time where he'll have a gun...yadda yadda yadda....then ill just use my skills that the acadamy and OJT will teach me...)

I have driven my buddy's car plenty of times, and i have never missed a single beat, whether it is a bike, pedestrian or another car...if you scan appropriatly in front of you, and stop at all intersections where you need to, then you wont miss anything....his tint is perfect too....you can see out just fine and its dark on the outside to where no heat gets in.

I do ride with the tinted screen, cause typically i would ride in the end of the day where it turns dark during the ride...you just get used to it.

oh yeah and that dealer tinting jobs....i see new vettes and high class cars with as dark of tinting as my buddy, and they cruise around just fine...

I totally dislike the fancier cars rollin around skirting the law here and there (tinted windows, no front plate, no rear plate , just the dealers fake-a-plate they give you when you by the car; this guys had his on for 3 months now, oh and those plate covers that are tinted)...i see the same people drivin around and nothin has changed on their vehicle...

this is a reason why i want to become an officer so badly, people skirtin the law, speeding, running stop signs (i live right by one and 50 percent of people if not more roll through it or just completely run it) weaving in and out of traffic....making dumb decisions......i mean these people need to just walk instead of drive sometimes...

[14596]

There needs to be a law that makes an installer of illegal tint liable for any damage/injuries that occur. I GUARANTEE you that nobody will install it anymore:smile: [/quote]



24005. It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale,
lease, install, or replace, either for himself or as the agent or
employee of another, or through such agent or employee, any glass,
lighting equipment, signal devices, brakes, vacuum or pressure hose,
muffler, exhaust, or any kind of equipment whatsoever for use, or
with knowledge that any such equipment is intended for eventual use,
in any vehicle, that is not in conformity with this code or
regulations made thereunder.

[Sportbiker]

so then you pull someone over and they say its stock....who takes responsibility for that. do you site the dealer or the driver??

[Fish'nChip]

24005. It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale,
lease, install, or replace, either for himself or as the agent or
employee of another, or through such agent or employee, any glass,
lighting equipment, signal devices, brakes, vacuum or pressure hose,
muffler, exhaust, or any kind of equipment whatsoever for use, or
with knowledge that any such equipment is intended for eventual use,
in any vehicle, that is not in conformity with this code or
regulations made thereunder.


Yeah, I was looking at that section but after thinking about it, when was the last time someone was actually cited for it. Infractions are not going to stop anyone. You can go into any auto parts store and find a hundred things that don't conform however they all say "For Off-Highway Use" or something of that nature on it. It would have to read like this:

Any person who sells, offers for sale,leases, installs, or replaces, either for himself or as the agent or
employee of another, or through such agent or employee, any glass, lighting equipment, signal devices, brakes, vacuum or pressure hose, muffler, exhaust, or any kind of equipment whatsoever for use, or with knowledge that any such equipment is intended for eventual use, in any vehicle, that is not in conformity with this code or regulations made thereunder, is civilly liable for any damages or injuries as a result of its use in a vehicle operated upon a highway.

It's a pipedream though. That law would never happen.

FnC

[Fish'nChip]

well to me it all comes down to why the rule was initiated in the first place. Was it officer safety or was it personal safety...

It wasn't officer safety....I can tell you that.

I have driven my buddy's car plenty of times, and i have never missed a single beat, whether it is a bike, pedestrian or another car...if you scan appropriatly in front of you, and stop at all intersections where you need to, then you wont miss anything....his tint is perfect too....you can see out just fine and its dark on the outside to where no heat gets in.

Isn't that like saying I have been speeding all of my life and haven't had a crash yet. It must be ok to speed then.

Just a thought.

[Sportbiker]

Isn't that like saying I have been speeding all of my life and haven't had a crash yet. It must be ok to speed then.

Just a thought.

Good point, but think about this...In other states it is legal to have full on limo tint, but in all 50 states it is illegal to speed...gets ya thinking about the purpose of the creation of the tint law in CA.

[dw]

I can understand that argument on older vehicles, but modern auto glass blocks a remarkable amount of UVA/UVB. I remember road trips growing up when we could get sun burnt through automobile glass. Not the case anymore.
i recently borrowed my sister's untinted 2003 mazda for a drive from san diego to la and about died halway through the trip, my left arm was burning up! i decided then and there i'd never NOT have tinted windows. the back windows on my vehicle are very dark, but the front ones are fairly light and there's a huge difference between even that and my sister's or my husband's untinted vehicles. makes my car a ton cooler, too, when it's roasting in the california sun.

This stuff (http://www.v-kool.com/vk75.asp?cat=2) is designed to pass the most optical light while blocking UV. It blocks only 23% of visible light transmission, and when combined with [legal] tint already in factory glass, is still technically illegal. It doesn't look "dark" so much as it has a sheen to it that makes it apparent the windows have film applied.


honestly id haveta say that if i pull someone over, and they roll their window down before i get out of the car, then i wont cite them....if i havta knock on the window, then its commin off (i know, itll be that one time where he'll have a gun...yadda yadda yadda....then ill just use my skills that the acadamy and OJT will teach me...)
So, as an applicant to the Highway Patrol, you've already made the decision you will not be enforcing all laws equally. I only hope you are honest about this if asked during the application process. Further, you "yada yada yada" a situation that could end your life or your partners life, as well as affecting your family, everyone you work with, and many others.

As a police officer, Sportbiker, you do not make the laws -- you are hired to enforce them equally and without prejudice. Each of us lives and works with laws that we may not necessarily agree with or see the rational behind. I suggest you take some time to seriously think about the safety, moral, and legal implications of the job you're applying for.


Good point, but think about this...In other states it is legal to have full on limo tint, but in all 50 states it is illegal to speed...gets ya thinking about the purpose of the creation of the tint law in CA.
California has always been progresstive in safety legislation and our standards are often adopted by other States.

[Sportbiker]

hmmm....Honestly, I didn't think about it that way. I actually sat back and realized what i had just said.



i guess i can just quote a member on here from another topic


"Letter of the Law versus Spirit of the Law"

[Your Mentor]

dw's right Sportbiker. Having a pet-peave is a moderate twist on taking some violations personally. Once you finally experience the shear volume of violations, both mechanical and moving, out on the road, day in, day out, you begin to realize that you simply can't take anything personally; especially tinted windows. People use vehicles for more than just transportation. To many, vehicles are a statement on who they are. If you take anything personally, or even try to twist the violation in that direction ("Do you know how fast I had to go to catch you?"; or looking at tint from an officer safety standpoint) you'll end up blowing up at a violator. Remember, we're payed to drive fast, approach vehicles on traffic stops even if they have NO see-through windows. It's a dangerous job but one you either accept as is or move on. As for tint, the law was NEVER passed for officer safety reasons. NONE of the sections in Division 11 and 12 of the Vehicle Code were written or passed with traffic officer's safety in mind. They are all about keeping motorists alive in the motoring environment. The tint law was passed because in reduced lighting, such as at night, the driver's side vision is severely reduced if tint is applied. That's why the section only mentions the side windows forward of the B pillar and the windshield. And they have to have a right side view mirror as well if the rear window is tinted. Some guys can't stand tint because of officer safety issues but that's a personal problem and not a valid motivation to enforce the section. We enforce it so the driver can see better and therefore drive more defensively, particularly when making turns at uncontrolled intersections. Besides, for every obsticle, there's a way to intelligently overcome it. I turn tinted windows in my favor on night time traffic stops by ordering the driver to turn on his inside dome light over the PA. Then I turn my spots at the ground on either side of the car. I can see in the car and they can't see out. Regardless, officer safety is about thinking tactically, being flexible, and creative. We have to work around every design feature of every vehicle. Why not regulate how fast a civilian's vehicle can go so officers won't have to drive at mach ten? Just be glad California has a tint law. Many states don't have any.

[Sportbiker]

and that is why you are the mentor. I greatly appreciate your insight. all of that COMPLETELY makes sense and makes you think outside of the box. please tell me your an FTO, because youd be a great one!

i have nothing else to say because i fully understand where that law is coming from and why we get to enforce it! Thank you!

[Your Mentor]

You said it perfectly Sportbiker: think outside the box. Nope, we don't get many trainees where I work. But I did teach several members of this forum while assigned to the Academy.

[DESERT RAT]

Sportbike you are mistaken about other states allowing full on limo tint! I have a copy of every single State Of The Union's window tint policy. The Darkest tint that is allowed is 25% tint on the front sides, the States are Ok, TX. I absolutley love it when I stop a out of state car and the driver informs me that his state allows his dark tint. I say "Oh really" well let me go back to my car and look your states limit! I walk up with my tint meter in hand and every states tint limit in same hand (Ofcr Safety). Well Sir, your window tint is......... 5% and your state allows 35%, not only are you illegal in Ca, but you are also illegal in your own state! Firme Aqui!


Oh and I take my window tint personal! If I have to have my left arm sunburned from driving, so does everyone else!:badgrin:

[Chippysgt]

That is "Firme Aqui, por favor". We have to keep our image up you know :lol:

BTW, make sure you have plenty of sun screen on that left arm. Back in the old days we did not think of such things and now my dermatoligist is burning things off my left forearm before they become cancer. Worse for blondes with blue eyes. I got the blue eyes and Irish blood that makes the sun my enemy even if I love it.

[DESERT RAT]

Geez Serge, you are retired and still giving a T.O's paperwork the "Ole Chicken Eye"!:badgrin: Just send me the "buckslip" via email and I will put it in my file!

[uoplax13]

BTW, make sure you have plenty of sun screen on that left arm. Back in the old days we did not think of such things and now my dermatoligist is burning things off my left forearm before they become cancer. Worse for blondes with blue eyes. I got the blue eyes and Irish blood that makes the sun my enemy even if I love it.




I guess if and when I make it out of the academy I'll have to try to get on a graveyard shift.......my skin tone isn't exactly sun-friendly :smile:

[Chippysgt]

DR,

That is Sarge not Serge........................oh no, Ole Chicken Eye strikes again.

How about if I give you a couple of extra weekends off next month???:biggrin:

[Your Mentor]

You're my kind of Sergeant!

[DESERT RAT]

I second that....

[Mac]

How about if I give you a couple of extra weekends off next month???

Big softie!

:badgrin: :badgrin: :badgrin:

[Mac]

How about if I give you a couple of extra weekends off next month???

Big softie!

:badgrin: :badgrin: :badgrin:

[MicahJames]

Sportbike you are mistaken about other states allowing full on limo tint! I have a copy of every single State Of The Union's window tint policy. The Darkest tint that is allowed is 25% tint on the front sides, the States are Ok, TX. I absolutley love it when I stop a out of state car and the driver informs me that his state allows his dark tint. I say "Oh really" well let me go back to my car and look your states limit! I walk up with my tint meter in hand and every states tint limit in same hand (Ofcr Safety). Well Sir, your window tint is......... 5% and your state allows 35%, not only are you illegal in Ca, but you are also illegal in your own state! Firme Aqui!


Oh and I take my window tint personal! If I have to have my left arm sunburned from driving, so does everyone else!:badgrin:

Hands down the funniest officer on this forum.

I'm always afraid my joker mentality will cause me problems, as it historically has. Good to know there is some room for comedy. :badgrin:

[PeckerHead]

I totally dislike the fancier cars rollin around skirting the law here and there (tinted windows, no front plate, no rear plate , just the dealers fake-a-plate they give you when you by the car; this guys had his on for 3 months now, oh and those plate covers that are tinted)...i see the same people drivin around and nothin has changed on their vehicle...

this is a reason why i want to become an officer so badly, people skirtin the law, speeding, running stop signs (i live right by one and 50 percent of people if not more roll through it or just completely run it) weaving in and out of traffic....making dumb decisions......i mean these people need to just walk instead of drive sometimes...

I would be willing to bet someone in your Division has an idea who you are if you are in the BG process. To be honest with you, posting this type of statement would concern me if I was your BI or on th QA panel. Some thoughts are just better left in our heads and never passed over the lips.