Why is tints illegal?

MrAdams · 06-12-2009, 11:55 AM

I tried searching the forum. I tried google and nothing so I was wondering.

Why is tint illegal in California? I mean I would think if it was such a big deal it would be illegal in every state...
does anyone know the actual reason for the tint law? the only thing I've heard were opinions.

Big Windy · 06-12-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1989baby

I tried searching the forum. I tried google and nothing so I was wondering.

Why is tint illegal in California? I mean I would think if it was such a big deal it would be illegal in every state...
does anyone know the actual reason for the tint law? the only thing I've heard were opinions.

there is no real reason. the simple fact is that police want to control their people. it probably started off as a law that seemed reasonable at the time, but has now become pointlessly strict. what a police officer or lawmaker would likely say is that the driver should be visible at all times while operating his/her vehicle. its an outright joke because many cop cars and law enforcement vehicles have the heaviest tint on the road. just another example of hypocrisy. my personal problem with the law is the method by which it is enforced (especially in CA). it is also troublesome because the law is unreasonable. there are plenty of reasonable levels of tint out there that still leave the driver visible...no reason to ban it altogether.

maybe some cops can chime in.

mPlasticDesign · 06-12-2009, 12:04 PM

Because tint (if dark enough) will obstruct visibility, especially at night. Rather than argue with millions of motorists, whether or not the degree(%) of their tint is "safe" or not, CA just says NO tint at all. Other possible reason, revenue! BTW, I have tint all the way around!

Crazy Bimmer · 06-12-2009, 12:41 PM

I been told its for the officers safety when they approach your vehicle.

If the tint is too dark then they dont know who/what they are coming up to.

I can respect that but then again when i get pulled over i put my windows down before the cop even gets out of their car. Yet i still get a ticket. Price to pay to have them.

modbargains · 06-12-2009, 01:55 PM

Officer Safety, plain and simple.

jackolo · 06-12-2009, 01:57 PM

I was hear about "officer Safety" as well. Another reason I hear is that it's a safety issue for yourself as well. If you can't open your door and need to kick out the window, it's much more difficult, also if the window breaks and instead of shattering, it's one larger piece, it's supposedly more dangerous... or so I've heard. I don't know if it's true but that's another reason that I've heard... then again, your front windshield isn't supposed to shatter either... nevermind.

rominl · 06-12-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackolo

I was hear about "officer Safety" as well. Another reason I hear is that it's a safety issue for yourself as well. If you can't open your door and need to kick out the window, it's much more difficult, also if the window breaks and instead of shattering, it's one larger piece, it's supposedly more dangerous... or so I've heard. I don't know if it's true but that's another reason that I've heard... then again, your front windshield isn't supposed to shatter either... nevermind.

not sure about the shattering part, coz' they do allow tint in the rear windows, just not the front. i guess i can buy into the police safety issue, as well as visibility (i wear in my friend's limo tint car i couldn't see very clearly). but at the same time i also think it has become a revenue generator in some sense

Bimmer Nerd · 06-15-2009, 12:29 AM

officers safety.

KwlAznKid · 06-17-2009, 06:54 AM

yes officer safety..
however a local tint shop told me that we're allowed to have 70% in the front now is that true? they said the law changed recently

Ca$hOnly · 06-17-2009, 12:18 PM

I have 15% tint all around and it is tough to see out the side windows at night. Pedestrians are especially hard to spot if they creep up from the side.

I fully understand why tiniting the front windows is illegal. However, i still do it because it looks much better.

1cleanm6 · 06-18-2009, 01:04 PM

MONEY....thats it plain and simple.....

police safety? BS...

inmotion · 06-22-2009, 01:50 AM

I have family members serving for the state and county forces. Contrary to the notion of revenue generator, these fix it tickets do very little to assist in government budget. A fix it ticket (if box checked to be fixable) is $10-$20. The bread and butter for CHP is speeding tickets. That's where the money is for the government.

06-12-2009, 11:55 AM	#1
MrAdams do a wheelie!!! 154 Rep 929 Posts Drives: E46 M3 - '72 2002 - '65 Impala Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 M3 Sedan e90 [0.00]	Why is tints illegal? I tried searching the forum. I tried google and nothing so I was wondering. Why is tint illegal in California? I mean I would think if it was such a big deal it would be illegal in every state... does anyone know the actual reason for the tint law? the only thing I've heard were opinions. __________________ ~Adam
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06-12-2009, 12:04 PM	#3
mPlasticDesign Major General 684 Rep 5,069 Posts Drives: BMW 230i Msport w/LSD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Astral Projecting: ∞ 23.516 -122 02.625 0242.101 ĕv'rē-hwâr' iTrader: (16) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 997.2 [10.00] 2019 Hyundai N (Sold) [10.00] 2013 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00] 2011 1M Coupe (Sold) [8.78] 2008 E90 M3 (Sold) [8.60] 2007 Z4 Mcpe (Sold) [9.50] 2005 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00]	Because tint (if dark enough) will obstruct visibility, especially at night. Rather than argue with millions of motorists, whether or not the degree(%) of their tint is "safe" or not, CA just says NO tint at all. Other possible reason, revenue! BTW, I have tint all the way around! __________________
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06-12-2009, 12:41 PM	#4
Crazy Bimmer The Jesal 391 Rep 5,859 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (20) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	I been told its for the officers safety when they approach your vehicle. If the tint is too dark then they dont know who/what they are coming up to. I can respect that but then again when i get pulled over i put my windows down before the cop even gets out of their car. Yet i still get a ticket. Price to pay to have them. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 - SOLD
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06-12-2009, 01:55 PM	#5
modbargains Brigadier General 170 Rep 3,160 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i & 01 Toyota Avalon Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Habra, CA iTrader: (5)	Officer Safety, plain and simple.
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06-12-2009, 01:57 PM	#6
jackolo Groin Grabbingly Trascendent 44 Rep 431 Posts Drives: 17' M3 ZCP AY/SS 6MT Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edmonton AB iTrader: (5)	I was hear about "officer Safety" as well. Another reason I hear is that it's a safety issue for yourself as well. If you can't open your door and need to kick out the window, it's much more difficult, also if the window breaks and instead of shattering, it's one larger piece, it's supposedly more dangerous... or so I've heard. I don't know if it's true but that's another reason that I've heard... then again, your front windshield isn't supposed to shatter either... nevermind. __________________
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06-15-2009, 12:29 AM	#8
Bimmer Nerd Major General 519 Rep 7,789 Posts Drives: 6MT F80 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Santa Monica, CA iTrader: (12)	officers safety.
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06-17-2009, 06:54 AM	#9
KwlAznKid Brigadier General 354 Rep 3,036 Posts Drives: BMW/MERCEDES/PORSCHE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles/Fremont USC/UCSD Alum iTrader: (6)	yes officer safety.. however a local tint shop told me that we're allowed to have 70% in the front now is that true? they said the law changed recently __________________ BMW E93 M3 / Mercedes Benz W209 CLK500 BMW E64 650I(sold) / BMW E92 328I(sold) / BMW E46 M3(sold) / BMW E92 335I(sold) Porsche 996 911 C2(sold) / BMW E46 325CI(totaled)
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06-17-2009, 12:18 PM	#10
Ca$hOnly Major 47 Rep 1,073 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: In ur fridge, eatin ur foodz iTrader: (5)	I have 15% tint all around and it is tough to see out the side windows at night. Pedestrians are especially hard to spot if they creep up from the side. I fully understand why tiniting the front windows is illegal. However, i still do it because it looks much better. __________________
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06-18-2009, 01:04 PM	#11
1cleanm6 Brigadier General 441 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: M5 comp/Range/i3S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (7)	MONEY....thats it plain and simple..... police safety? BS...
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06-22-2009, 01:50 AM	#12
inmotion Lieutenant 10 Rep 528 Posts Drives: where do I start? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Newport Coast, CA iTrader: (0)	I have family members serving for the state and county forces. Contrary to the notion of revenue generator, these fix it tickets do very little to assist in government budget. A fix it ticket (if box checked to be fixable) is $10-$20. The bread and butter for CHP is speeding tickets. That's where the money is for the government. __________________ E60 M5 Silverstone, Balloon White Gallardo Spider, Rosso Corsa F430, Audi CG Q7 Sportline, IS R8 before and DG R8 now, Basalt Black Carrera GT, SG M3 DCT, Orange GT3RS, IS CLK63 Black Series On order: 2010 R8 V10
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