So I got a ticket for window tinting...

[rocktheworld87]

Hi everyone
I'm new to CP and still getting used to the site, so pardon me if there has already been a thread about this.
This is my first post and I need help

I was driving on bow trail today, and got pulled over by police for having tinted windows on my car and got a $57 ticket

Police officer told me that i can't have any tint at all on the two front windows
Is that true??? I've heard from many people that you can have the front windows tinted as long as the shade doesn't exceed certain degree..(i'm not an expert on this)

He said that if i get pulled over one more time for the tinted window, they will take my car and send it to the shop to remove the tint.
Do you think I should remove it???

and lastly, is the ticket going to affect my insurance?
I don't mind paying the ticket, but i'm currently registered under my dad, so i'm worried that the ticket is going to raise the insurance..

Please help me out CP!! and thanks!

[CMPunk]

The officer is correct...there is no tint allowed on passenger/driver windows in Alberta

[wooohooo]

I would think you should remove it.

[DropIt]

As far as I know it won't affect your insurance. But at the same time, this law was passed like 4 years ago? You should probably get it changed, I mean its a free reason to pull you over. What's the point of having it? Its really not that super awesome looking

[Orv]

I know a lot of guys who have gotten this ticket including one where the cop demanded he remove the tint right there on the side of the road. He talked his way out of having to do it on the side of the road but had to do remove it within a week then go back to the station to show the officer.

[Ben Dover]

Some guy I know also got one just a few days back. Looks like they must be coming down hard on it this month. As far as I know, its very rare for them to just pull you over for window tinting. Just go to court and try getting a resolve.

[HotHotHeat]

Welcome to Calgary, where tax dollars are used for tint enforcement.

Make the world a better place, punch a traffic cop in the face.

[MaxPower]

I'm surprised you got pulled over for just window tint. Usually it's when they need to make their quotas they'll get you speeding and then tack on the tint as a bonus. Although now I check my watch and see that's it's the end of the month, so yes they got you to make their quota, hard luck.

I've received two window tint tickets, both within three days of the end of the month on a quota blitz. The SECOND time I got the window tint ticket, the officer said something along the lines of "as of this ticket we have you on record, so if we catch you again, we'll tow your vehicle on the spot to somewhere that'll remove the tint.". As I had already been citied for that violation I'm assuming he's lying. Maybe I'm wrong though.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

The officer is correct...there is no tint allowed on passenger/driver windows in Alberta

What about factory tint? mine fairly dark (not as dark as the rest) on my SUV.

[3 Justin 3]

Window tinting tickets have got to be the stupidest thing a Cop can do. For the record I don't have them. But how dumb of a society do we live in, where instead of solving crimes and fighting proper criminals, police are just catching people for speeding and tinted windows.

It is bloody pathetic.

What's so wrong with tinted windows in the first place? Like just stupid laws.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

What's so wrong with tinted windows in the first place? Like just stupid laws.

The main reasons are:

1) The police officer can't tell as easily if you're reaching for a gun when they approach your vehicle

2) it's harder to see, especially at night and can lead to more accidents.

I have tinted windows all the way around, minus the windshield, but I only went for 35%. I've never received any hassle despite being pulled over a few too many times.

I admit it hampers my vision a bit at night, especially with auto dimming side mirrors. It's definitely more difficult to see objects that don't have headlights (which aren't many important ones).

If you are blacked out pretty good (20% or less) expect tickets.

If not, a couple tips:

1) roll down your window right away when pulled over, if you have a sunroof make sure the shade is open, the extra light decreases the appearance of your tint.

2) if it's at night, turn on your interior lights, it will make your windows look a lot less tinted and hopefully save you the ticket.

In lots of sunny states a certain level is legal. In some really sunny states (California, Arizona) it's common for people to tint their windshields to keep their cars cooler when parked. Really scary at night in the middle of nowhere with no street lights in these cars...

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Window tinting tickets have got to be the stupidest thing a Cop can do. For the record I don't have them. But how dumb of a society do we live in, where instead of solving crimes and fighting proper criminals, police are just catching people for speeding and tinted windows.

It is bloody pathetic.

What's so wrong with tinted windows in the first place? Like just stupid laws.

One problem is that an officer cannot see who they are pulling over. In a situation where you are approaching a vehicle, it's important that the cop be able to see the inside of the car, in order to assess any potential danger. Also when walking up a to a car the cop will be able to see if a passenger or driver is/are reaching for a weapon of some kind.

This has to be the easiest ticket to avoid getting.....

[Hemi-Cuda]

when i had my 3 rear windows done the guy flat out said that it's illegal to have the front ones done and i'd likely get a ticket if i did, though he still offered to do them if i wanted. i said no, and asked what was the point of spending more money just for a higher likely hood of a ticket? he couldn't give an answer for that one

you would have saved a lot more money in the long run by not getting them done at all

[MaxPower]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

The main reasons are:

1) The police officer can't tell as easily if you're reaching for a gun when they approach your vehicle

2) it's harder to see, especially at night and can lead to more accidents.

I will agree that these are the reasons for the law, but man are they stupid reasons.

If the police are that worried about people reaching for guns, then car doors should be illegal. Car doors are impossible to see through!

What about pants or shirts?! I could have something hidden in there too! Outlaw shirts and pants!

And tint IS harder to see through, I agree, except it's just like the tint on the sunglasses I see every police officer wearing all the time. What's the difference?

Three cheers for arbitrary, money-making laws!

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by MaxPower

I will agree that these are the reasons for the law, but man are they stupid reasons.

If the police are that worried about people reaching for guns, then car doors should be illegal. Car doors are impossible to see through!

What about pants or shirts?! I could have something hidden in there too! Outlaw shirts and pants!

And tint IS harder to see through, I agree, except it's just like the tint on the sunglasses I see every police officer wearing all the time. What's the difference?

Three cheers for arbitrary, money-making laws!

Give me a break. In a city full of gangs ripping around in tinted out Honda Civics then I'm all for giving the police a small leg up.

[Pinner]

Another reason,

Making eye contact with pedestrians,cyclests and other drivers, that said my windows are tinted

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Window tinting tickets have got to be the stupidest thing a Cop can do. For the record I don't have them. But how dumb of a society do we live in, where instead of solving crimes and fighting proper criminals, police are just catching people for speeding and tinted windows..

They can do both, in fact they do do both.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by MaxPower

I will agree that these are the reasons for the law, but man are they stupid reasons.

If the police are that worried about people reaching for guns, then car doors should be illegal. Car doors are impossible to see through!

What about pants or shirts?! I could have something hidden in there too! Outlaw shirts and pants!

And tint IS harder to see through, I agree, except it's just like the tint on the sunglasses I see every police officer wearing all the time. What's the difference?

Three cheers for arbitrary, money-making laws!

Three cheers for a really ######ed post.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by MaxPower

I'm surprised you got pulled over for just window tint. Usually it's when they need to make their quotas they'll get you speeding and then tack on the tint as a bonus. Although now I check my watch and see that's it's the end of the month, so yes they got you to make their quota, hard luck.

I've received two window tint tickets, both within three days of the end of the month on a quota blitz. The SECOND time I got the window tint ticket, the officer said something along the lines of "as of this ticket we have you on record, so if we catch you again, we'll tow your vehicle on the spot to somewhere that'll remove the tint.". As I had already been citied for that violation I'm assuming he's lying. Maybe I'm wrong though.

I've been pulled over and ticketed for just tint and I had one week to take it off and show it to the cop.

As for as the reason for the law, the cop that pulled me over said it was because the tint won't allow the glass to shatter in an accident which is less safe. Not sure if that is the official line, but it's what he told me.

[Coys1882]

My opinion on traffic tickets is as follows. If you don't like paying the ticket you get - don't break the law. If you don't like the idea of what you feel are petty laws only existing for the CPS to generate revenue - lobby your alderman to spend tax dollars on things like the police department instead of stupid footbridges. Then they'll be able to focus on 'real crimes'