Home »
Police ask drivers to ‘please remove the shades’
Over the last several years, there has been a proliferation of motor vehicles operating in the East Kootenay with film window tint affixed to the front driver and passenger side windows.
This alteration to a motor vehicle is prohibited under Section 7.05(8) of the Motor Vehicle Act of British Columbia. Film tint reduces the amount of light penetration into the cab of the vehicle, reducing the ability of the drivers of other motor vehicles to make eye contact with the drivers of these modified vehicles at intersections.
“Any reduction in the ability of driver’s to make clear eye contact with each other at intersections increased the possibility of a side impact collision,” said Sgt. D. Erichsen of the RCMP’s East Kootenay Traffic Service Unit. “It is a safety issue, and one that police officers in the area are being called upon to stringently enforce.”
Sgt. Erichsen went on to explain that in addition to reducing the ability of drivers to see and make eye contact with each other, film window tinting also causes the safety glass to fail. In the event of a side impact collision, the window glass is supposed to shatter, cube and collapse. Film window tinting causes the glass cubes to clump together and become a projectile into the vehicle. This can lead to additional injury and facial lacerations to those travelling inside of the vehicle.
Sgt. Erichsen reported that the issue of tinted windows has recently came to a head when it was learned that some local car dealerships were offering for sale vehicles with film window tint applied to the side windows. Before this began, the problem was isolated to vehicles imported into the province from jurisdictions that allowed this modification or to those who made the personal choice to break the law.
“Dealerships are prohibited from selling any vehicle which does not conform with the Motor Vehicle Act and its regulations by Section 222 of the Motor Vehicle Act. By applying film window tint to new vehicles, these dealerships are violating legislation and placing their clients in jeopardy by selling them vehicles that do not comply with the regulations of the Motor Vehicle Act,” Erichsen said.
Drivers are being advised by the police that if their vehicle has film window tint affixed to the front side windows, the driver is subject to a fine of $109. Additionally, the vehicle can be ordered for inspection, at the owner’s expense to ensure that the vehicle fully complies with the Motor Vehicle Act and its Regulations.
“Of course,” Sgt. Erichsen reminded, “this means that the film window tint would have to be removed prior to the inspection in order to pass.”
When questioned as to whether those driving vehicles registered outside of British Columbia must comply with this regulation, Sgt. Erichsen answered, “A motor vehicle operated in British Columbia must comply with the regulation of the Province or jurisdiction where they are registered. In the case of Alberta registered vehicles, that means, yes, drivers are subject to the same fine and requirements as B.C. drivers. Tinted windows are prohibited in Alberta as well. In fact, there is not a jurisdiction west of Ontario that allows tinted side windows.”
East Kootenay Traffic Services
