Tinted Windows

Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
calibrax said:
The cars you've seen on the road are illegal.
Indeed. And lots if them.

Quite why they are still driving about like that is beyond me. It would be the easiest 3 points and fine that the police could dish out all day long, but for some reason they don't bother, which especially surprises me seen as how it's a safety matter.

If every traffic officer bagged just one set of illegal tints per day it would be a start.

matty6660

Original Poster:

65 posts

126 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
CaptainMorgan said:
I've seen someone walk out the pub pissed as a fart and drive home, is it ok for me to do the same?
That wasn't my question was it. I was wondering if I'd misunderstood the law - as there are so many people who drive with 'apparently' illegal tinted windows.

Mk3Spitfire

2,921 posts

127 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
NinjaPower said:
but for some reason they don't bother,
Because you need a tintman. And not every officer has one.

Snowboy

8,028 posts

150 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
CaptainMorgan said:
I've seen someone walk out the pub pissed as a fart and drive home, is it ok for me to do the same?
Exactly. smile

I do recall that when I looked at window tints for an old car of mine I was surprised at how light 70% was and just how many illegal cars there must be.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Mk3Spitfire said:
NinjaPower said:
but for some reason they don't bother,
Because you need a tintman. And not every officer has one.
Good point and well put smile

Mk3Spitfire

2,921 posts

127 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
NinjaPower said:
Good point and well put smile
Thanks. wink

thescamper

920 posts

225 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Mk3Spitfire said:
NinjaPower said:
but for some reason they don't bother,
Because you need a tintman. And not every officer has one.
So here is a radical thought make every MoT station have one and make compliance part of the MoT.

Mk3Spitfire

2,921 posts

127 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
thescamper said:
So here is a radical thought make every MoT station have one and make compliance part of the MoT.
Unfortunately, it's an MOT requirement to have tread on your tyres. This doesn't mean all cars have good tyres.

crossy67

1,570 posts

178 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Up until 1984 (I think) all front glasses had to transmit 75%. I heard a rumor that Peugeots were failing this at some point, maybe this is why the limit was changed for front door glasses. I can't think of a car currently being sold with clear glass. Even clear glass will only transmit ~83%vlt (visible light transmission). There fore if you have 83% and you install a clear film that will also transmit ~83% you will then be below 69% and therefore illegal.

There are a lot of companies that will tint to below the limit and tell people "you can get away with a light smoke". There are limits, these limits are measurable and enforceable.

As darkened windows reduce light getting into the vehicle and your eyes see reflected light the effect will be doubled looking from the outside in. There are a lot of things that will effect how dark a tint job will look. How big the windows are, how tall the vehicle is, if you can see through to the windows on the other side, the colour of the interior and the colour of the cars body work. Bright colours (not necessarily light) will show of a tint job better.

cheesesliceking

1,571 posts

239 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Don't from a practical stand point go darker than 70%, it makes parking at night tricky for one thing.. been there with limo tint on the rear windows it was a PITA.

oobster

7,059 posts

210 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
When I was in my late teens/early 20's (over 20 years ago now) I had dark 'limo' tint on my car, all side & rear windows. The film was applied properly by a company who specialised in window film tints, otherwise it would have more bubbly than an Aero if I had done it myself.

I realise that this might not be the case for everyone but I don't ever recall having a problem where I felt I couldn't see approaching traffic at junctions etc. I never once pulled out in front of anyone. I don't even remember it being in any way a PITA. I just got used to the level of visibility quite quickly and adjusted my driving to suit.


loose cannon

6,028 posts

240 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Sunglasses what light do they let in ? ears

loose cannon

6,028 posts

240 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Sunglasses what light do they let in ? ears

Drumroll

3,727 posts

119 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Unless you are a real prune you don't drive in the dark wearing sunglasses. Tinted glass (less than 70%) in the dark is a real safety issue.

loose cannon

6,028 posts

240 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Drumroll said:
Unless you are a real prune you don't drive in the dark wearing sunglasses. Tinted glass (less than 70%) in the dark is a real safety issue.
You didn't answer the question ? The question was how much light do sunglasses let in I never mentioned wearing sunglasses at night wink but as you have brought it up how much light do anti glare night driving glasses let through ?

carbonjunkie

228 posts

196 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
Only a 15% tint is allowed on spectacles. Most, if not all, of those anti glare glasses you see advertised are illegal to use. Incidentally, technically tint on windscreens and specs should be combined.

A standard clear spectacle lens without an anti reflection coating transmits between 92-90%, some cheap photochromic lenses are when clear transmit less than 85% and are therefore technically illegal for night driving unless you put an AR coating on them. Not that the people selling them to you will tell you that.

CaptainMorgan

1,454 posts

158 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
matty6660 said:
That wasn't my question was it. I was wondering if I'd misunderstood the law - as there are so many people who drive with 'apparently' illegal tinted windows.
As the other person whining about my post said, it's pretty simple to understand. My reply was because you know the law and have ready it yourself but cant grasp it for some reason, maybe thinking because others flout it you might be able to as well? Anyway, I was offering you another way of looking at it to help. Never mind. Oh and theres no 'apparently' if they're dark they're illegal.

As for the sunglasses situation, I guess the majority of people dont wear their glasses in the dark/heavy cloud etc so it isnt an issue not being able to see properly in these conditions?

calibrax

4,788 posts

210 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
I'm sure the law has less to do about you being able to see out, and more to do with the police being able to see in...

Bigyoke

152 posts

131 months

Monday 4th August 2014
quotequote all
calibrax said:
I'm sure the law has less to do about you being able to see out, and more to do with the police being able to see in...
Absolutely right, can't see any other reason why 'they' would want to ensure you could actually see out of your car when driving it. It must be so plod can see if you're eating a Mars bar, smoking or just look like the wrong sort! Nothing to do with safety at all.

T0nup

683 posts

199 months

Monday 4th August 2014
quotequote all
Q - How competent are you at using your wing mirrors to reverse your vehicle?

Cos seriously, at night with 70% tint in the back, it will be like driving a van. Extra vigilance via the mirrors will also be required in daylight hours... So, if you can't reverse for candy, I'd leave well alone in all your windows.