$154 ticket for my tint

What part of "it's illegal" do you not understand.
Sorry - no sympathy here.

 

Like Detprius, I gave up after the 2nd ticket and stuck with 70% tint on the front windows. Life is much easier now that I don't have to stress every time I see an officer.

 

Eh, with 70% on the front you are still illegal because cumulatively the VLT is still below our CA limits. Your VLT is probably in the high 50% range. So the police officers can definitely still get you for it if they choose to. Fortunately it is passable most of the time; just stay away from Elk Grove or some other parts of our area.

 

Ahh but you forget that I have white interior and I'm a white boy so the windows do not appear to have any tint on them in most cases.

 

What is the reasoning for the dark tint, do you not want to be seen or you more concerned about a comfort control level inside the vehicle? It does look nice against the color of the car.

 

Can't speak for anyone else, but I have my cars tinted because I think it enhances the look of the car. Same reason for getting new wheels & other mods - I think it looks sweet.

Anyway, I always had full-illegal tint on all my windows (except front windshield) and got pulled over a few times and never had anyone ever question my tint. I was a few shades over the legal limit, not limo or anything like that. For me, the price of a ticket would have been worth it. I really liked how the tint looked on my 2005.

I'm really surprised you got a ticket. I know it's illegal to go over the tint limit, but you're the first person I've ever heard who got a ticket for it. Sorry 'bout that!

Not sure what some people have against window tint. It's just a matter of personal preference, I guess.

 

Don't you know that you need dark tint to be able to see your movies/video games more clearly.....

 

And they're going after the bank and airline industries big time for charging excessive fees and not rolling the fees in the costs

 

It's notable that if you go in to challenge a ticket in pretty much any way, including going in to ask for clarification or a payment plan, they tack on fees.

Generally, if you get handed a ticket the number on the ticket is the amount you pay to get out from under it. It's only if you challenge the ticket or utilize court time (by, for instance, going to a court date and pleading no-contest) that they typically add anything to the $ amount on the ticket.

 

I am pretty sure that it is not the same people. The Federal government isn't all that active in the traffic violations area.

 

I know and of course they justify by saying just don't violate any traffic laws and you can avoid the steep fines. But the same can be said of paying your bills on time and living below your means. Just hypocritical in my opinion and they shouldn't meddle in these things and make it more expensive for the rest of us.

 

I have mine tinted, and haven't been stopped by any officers (yet, as some of you would say). I actually went through a seat belt check point last summer, and they just waved me through. It's not the full dark up front, but anything here on the fronts is illegal. I actually wish I'd got a shade lighter, because sometimes seeing at night can become a challenge out the side windows. That said, it makes a TON difference on the interior comfort of the car in the summer (opposite effect in winter).

I would tend to agree with others, that the added $$ is some sort of "administrative fee" added in. I guess I'm lucky here, because our officers seem to have better things to do. However, as you said, you were initially pulled over for speeding, so he probably gave you a ticket that was more in your benefit in that it probably doesn't add points to your license.

 

While I think the tinting laws don't make sense, I consider having tint that does that cannot be seen through to be safety hazard. It reduces the visibility of other drivers through your windows. For example, seeing braking lights two cars ahead gives a driver an earlier warning to slow down. It is also especially useful where street parking is allowed on a street you are attempting to turn onto. The street parked vehicles obstruct your view, but a dark tinted vehicle doesn't even allow you to see through it, potentially obstructing the view of an oncoming car.

As for the laws not making sense, I think tinting for heat rejection makes a lot of sense. A cooler, more comfortable cabin reduces driver anxiety and road rage and allows the driver to be more alert and relaxed. Not allowing the front windows/windshields reduces the effectiveness of heat rejecting tint especially in the Prius where the windshield is so large.

So while I appreciate that you should have some freedom in tinting to your heart's desire, I think the safety of other drivers trumps looks.

As alternative to dark tint to protect your expensive audio equipment, you should consider buying insurance to cover said equipment with the tint fine money instead.

 

My guess is that it is a law pushed for by the police unions almost exclusively - I know if I had to stop a car in a cruddy neighborhood late at night I'd want to be able to see inside of the car to see if the driver had his hands on the wheel (like we were all taught the first day of driver's ed) or if they are reaching under the seat.

 

I can't speculate on who pushes it, but it isn't useful only to police. Seeing into the car is also safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. Making eye contact is important to know that the driver sees you. If you can't see the driver, you can't tell if they see you or not.

 

Fixed. One point I have to make though, Alabama doesn't have mountains. hahahaha Hills maybe, but not mountains. Come out west if you want to see real mountains!

 

This is the reason I also love having a sunroof. If the sunroof is open or if the sunshade cover is open it helps make the tint appear less dark to any cops. If I close the cover the tint appears darker but not so dark that I get bothered by cops. Just drive smart so that you don't attract any attention.

I have 35% on my 09 Corolla along with 50% on my front windshield & I've never had any problems either in my Corolla. I also have a sunroof in the Corolla.

 

In my experience, most of them are looking at cell phones.

Tom