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Windscreen tint confusion



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Published Date: 29 September 2008
I was recently stopped by a traffic officer for having "excessive" window tints on the front windows of my vehicle.
The officer measured the light passing through the windows with a machine and informed me that my vehicle was technically "defective".
I informed the officer that I undertook a lot of surveillance as an enquiry agent and that tinting enhances my chances of obtaining evidence.
Nevertheless he told me to have the tints removed or have lighter ones fitted and to contact him when I had completed the work.
Having driven the vehicle for over 12 months I have never encountered a situation, night or day, where my vision has been impaired.
Furthermore, experiments carried out at Loughborough University suggest that window tints have no adverse effect on a driver's vision.
Perhaps the Prime Minister's chauffeur would like to comment on how clearly he can see the police motorcycle outriders through excessive tinting
Finally, when the officer had dealt with me, I put on my sunglasses which allow considerably less light through than the "defective" tints on my vehicle and drove off.
I am still trying to understand the logic behind the fact that you can drive a vehicle with dark sunglasses on but woe betide anyone who drives a vehicle with tints.
AG Fisher, via email

Easy to criticise energy plan
Gordon Brown has taken some stick over Labour's plans to help low-paid homeowners to insulate their lofts in the light of swingeing energy price rises, instead of taking more direct
action.
But every little helps, as my granny used to say.
And it does seem unfair when Mr Brown's party have been responsible for introducing pensioners' winter fuel payments as well as other measures to help the elderly, including nationwide free bus travel.
People are always so quick to criticise governments, which is why it is always easier being on the opposition
benches.
Name and address supplied

Raising awareness of dyspraxia
Being diagnosed with a condition that is practically unheard of by many can make life very hard.
While a lot of your readers probably know about behavioural, social and learning problems such as Dyslexia, ADHD and Asperger Syndrome, I am sure relatively few are familiar with Dyspraxia. Symptoms include difficulties such as walking up and down the stairs, getting dressed, tying shoelaces, forming relationships and an inability to remember more than two or three instructions at once.
It is thought two children are affected in every class of 30 and it is not a condition that you simply grow out of.
However, because it is not an 'obvious' disability, there is a real lack of general understanding.
Since finding out about the condition and the very real implications it can have on daily life for those affected, I am proud to be supporting the Dyspraxia Foundation's national awareness week, Dyspraxia: Making Sense of it All (September 27 to October 4). The campaign seeks to ensure the condition and those affected by it receive recognition and support.
I am urging all readers who suspect that they or a family member may have dyspraxia, or are showing some of the symptoms, to go online to
www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk or call the helpline on 01462 454 986.
The charity is also launching a special competition during the awareness week - Reach for the Stars! - for more information see the website above.
Jon Lee, West End Star
and former member of S-Club 7

The full article contains 577 words and appears in Wigan Evening Post newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 01 October 2008 11:29 AM
  • Source: Wigan Evening Post
  • Location: Wigan
 
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1

Diagfadan,

Wigan 29/09/2008 19:59:06
Re. AG Fisher article tinted windscreen. Accepting that you can see quite clearly through your tinted windscreen, could it be that pedestrians sometimes make road crossing judgements based on eye contact with the vehicle driver?
2

Bainsey,

30/09/2008 08:53:17
Diagfadan - In this case how would the pedestrian make eye contact with the driver of a large HGV ?

Think the police are collecting their 'Policemans Xmas Ball' donations, which is easier to obtain form the poor 'petty offence' drivers than most criminals !!
3

Diagfadan,

Wigan 30/09/2008 19:23:36
Good point Bainsey
4

Ian Berry,

Wigan 01/10/2008 13:59:11
Just to clarify AG Fisher isn't referring to his windscreen but his front drivers and passenge windows. It has long been the law that front windows must allow a certain percentage of light pass through them. You make the comment that you wear sunglasses that allow even less light through them than your exsisting tints but would you wear those sunglasses at night? Having been in cars with with window film fitted, I must agree that visability does suffer at night.
Also what as an HGV got to do with anything? I've yet to see one with tinted winows yet.
5

Homer's clone,

Orrell 03/10/2008 01:40:05
Tinted windows.
It's the law,what makes you any different.Abide or incurr the wraith of plod,the rest of us seem to get by without it.A little message to all who drive with your fog lights on as well.They're for use in foggy/misty/reduced visibility conditions.They're not "driving lights" used as a posing accessory!
Theres a little tip to stop you getting a fine!
6

Bainsey,

06/10/2008 13:02:20
Ian Berry - The comments I made in relation to lorry drivers was in view of 'eye contact'. With regards to the law it is a joke as the rear windows can be tinted and you look out of these at night time !!

Oh and yes I have wore sun glasses at night time !!

Homer's clone - I know its the law but its another way of extracting the general publics cash with these silly on the spot fines for pathetic reasons, i.e. tinted windows !!
7

Ian Berry,

Wigan 06/10/2008 20:52:34
I would have thought forward vision was most important when driving a vehicle hence the law doesn't allow any heavy window tints at the front of the vehicle, to me this seems quite reasonable and I don't understand the complainants point. If there wasn't a law to detail what is and isn't allowed what would stop anyone going to rediculous extremes?

Also why are you driving at night wearing sunglasses?
8

Stevie. B,

09/10/2008 20:06:09
Because he can!!
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