#1: Fined for Window Tints Author: vintageoriginal, Location: London, UKPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:34 pm ---- Hi all,
So tonight I was fined £30 for having my front windows tinted beyond legal limits. Now before you're quick to judge, I'm not one of these mugs that drives around with black limo tints on the front windows - I agree that this is plain stupid from a safety perspective. I had ultra light window tints applied to the front windows not for looks, but more because my car was broken into twice in the space of 2 months, and the film helps to secure the glass if it's broken. My front windows were tinted by 10%. The law states that the windows must allow 70% of the visible light through, and when tested with the policeman's meter mine registered 58.1%, so fair enough they're illegal (just!) and I was fined accordingly.
However, the incident occurred at Heathrow airport whilst I was waiting to pick a passenger up. After issuing me the ticket, the policeman then forced me to remove the tints there and then, 'use your ignition key to get started' he said. So after twenty minutes of embarrassment I got the films off, leaving scratches and the horrible sticky glue. My question is this - are the police legally allowed to force you to remove the tints by the roadside? I was completely fair with the guy, didn't kick up a fuss of any kind, admitted my guilt and accepted the fine, but I found the whole experience embarrassing, degrading and incriminating.
I am not looking for any comments like 'you're an idiot for having your windows tinted in the first place', but any real information would be helpful.
#2: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: wagsy206, Location: Coatbridge, LanarkshirePosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:37 pm ---- yep. they can. if the vehicle is found to be unsafe (even tints) you're not permitted to drive it until it's safe to do so.
it is a shame that it happened though, but there is some clear film which does the same thing.
#3: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: NorthantsBen, Location: Raunds, NorthamptonshirePosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:38 pm ---- I got told by tinting shop last week that you can't have any on the front now ?? Just going on what they said
don't forget there might be factory tint on the windows too
on itv tonight they were making people remove or they will take the car Last edited by NorthantsBen on Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:45 pm; edited 3 times in total
#4: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: meady, Location: basingstokePosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:38 pm ---- ive seen them just tell u to peel a bit off the top corner so they no your guna remove them as it would look silly otherwise but not the whole tint
#5: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: Golfguy206, Location: PeterboroughPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:39 pm ---- Dont think they can MAKE you do it there and then.
I know they can give you a rectification order or someithing like that. This makes you take it off in the next 7 days or something + the fine.
I would have said that the distortion in your vision caused by the glue on the glass now makes your vehicle a hazard to use now that they made you take it off - it would have been safer to drive home with your front windows down!!
#6: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: bradste79, Location: bradfordPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:39 pm ---- on traffic cops, i remember a woman been stopped in a range rover and the officer got her husband to start to remove the tints..... so i would guess he was within his rights
I would have said that the distortion in your vision caused by the glue on the glass now makes your vehicle a hazard to use now that they made you take it off - it would have been safer to drive home with your front windows down!!
I totally agree, it was a state. After I'd finished he said 'By the way, don't try and put the windows down again until you wipe that off with meths or you'll burn the electric motor out.' I found the whole thing completely ridiculous.
#8: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: pug_quiksilver, Location: Bognor Regis, West SussexPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:59 pm ---- They are quite within their powers to tell you to remove it there and then because as long as you drive it with that you are committing a moving traffic offence.
#9: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: Iain, Location: Aberdeen, ScotlandPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:03 pm ---- You can't have ANY tint on the fronts, they come already tinted pretty close to the legal limit.
#10: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: Razpulsedj, Location: Partying with the Info ShufflersPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:10 pm ---- Sat watchin police camera action and someone had over the limit tints and the police do have the power to make you remove them, end of the day if they let u go, how'd they know you ain't gonna leave them on? Agree with what your saying totally about you having them because of the break ins, but in the police eyes they can just tell you to get a better alarm and to keep anything in the car hidden. Police should be out there fighting crime instead of this lark imo
#11: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: Howey, Location: Kings LynnPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:14 pm ---- Unlucky mate I think the are within their rights to tell you to get them off on the street
Foliatec do clear security film, so if you are worried then you can buy that instead... Foliatec is also called "eurostyling" as well if you cant find it
#12: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: pug_quiksilver, Location: Bognor Regis, West SussexPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:18 pm ----
Razpulsedj wrote:
Police should be out there fighting crime instead of this lark imo
That's why we have traffic officers dedicated to fighting crime on the roads and neighbourhood response officers dedicated to fighting general crime.
#13: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: vintageoriginal, Location: London, UKPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:22 pm ---- Ok, thanks for clearing this up. I'm going to look into having some (EVEN) clearer tints fitted though, I think they deter thieves as they make the glass more difficult to peer through (I never got a break-in since having them fitted). The policeman completely patronized me going, 'yeah, they look wicked, isn't it, bruv, safe' - I'm not a chav at all and he clearly didn't understand the other benefits.
Foliatec do clear security film, so if you are worried then you can buy that instead... Foliatec is also called "eurostyling" as well if you cant find it
Thanks Howey, will look into it.
#15: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: mattievrs, Location: LeicesterPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:25 pm ---- a guy on the old site (phillspug) got pulled for his limo tints and made to remove them there and then.When you have the fronts tinted you sign a disclaimer (at tintcentres anyway) to say you admit theyre illegal on the front windows.
Most front windows are tinted from factory close to the legal limit aswell.
The policeman completely patronized me going, 'yeah, they look wicked, isn't it, bruv, safe' - I'm not a chav at all and he clearly didn't understand the other benefits.
What a p***k They do it just to try and get a reaction so they can breathalize/ vehicle search or check your tyres etc...
#17: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: Ali_H, Location: Chichester, SussexPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:32 pm ---- Windows comes with a factory 30% tint so I guess 10% on top gives a rough 58.1%.
One of the tricks they can sometimes use is doing the light test in the shade, which gives a slightly darker reading.
And the fighting real crime thing is a bit boring now... traffic coppers are fighting real crime relevant to their job - traffic crime. Did you also know they also do other really out of order things like stop drunk drivers and people with no insurance? And they chase car thieves too!!
And the fighting real crime thing is a bit boring now... traffic coppers are fighting real crime relevant to their job - traffic crime. Did you also know they also do other really out of order things like stop drunk drivers and people with no insurance? And they chase car thieves too!!
And the fighting real crime thing is a bit boring now... traffic coppers are fighting real crime relevant to their job - traffic crime. Did you also know they also do other really out of order things like stop drunk drivers and people with no insurance? And they chase car thieves too!!
I agree that their job is important and 'he was only doing his job'. But I'm not a criminal, have no points on my licence, have never had an accident, and he seemed to make out that I was a danger to society if I drove another yard. Had it been mid-afternoon you would never have been able to tell they were on there, it was only that it had just turned to dusk that they made any noticeable difference.
And the fighting real crime thing is a bit boring now... traffic coppers are fighting real crime relevant to their job - traffic crime. Did you also know they also do other really out of order things like stop drunk drivers and people with no insurance? And they chase car thieves too!!
I DONT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!
Seriously mate, it happens! They don't just stop people doing 31 in a 30!
#22: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: pug_quiksilver, Location: Bognor Regis, West SussexPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:14 pm ---- Individual officers discression at the end of the day. Sorry to see you were caught up in it though.
And the fighting real crime thing is a bit boring now... traffic coppers are fighting real crime relevant to their job - traffic crime. Did you also know they also do other really out of order things like stop drunk drivers and people with no insurance? And they chase car thieves too!!
I agree that their job is important and 'he was only doing his job'. But I'm not a criminal, have no points on my licence, have never had an accident, and he seemed to make out that I was a danger to society if I drove another yard. Had it been mid-afternoon you would never have been able to tell they were on there, it was only that it had just turned to dusk that they made any noticeable difference.
they cannot check the tint unless in direct sunlight!!
i know of people pulled over and had the police try and check the tints under street lamps, with a torch etc,
dont hold me to it, but i swear by the traffic book they have to give you a 7 day ticket to get your vehicle checked and if illegal get them removed!!
#24: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: NICKST, Location: Little hulton (worsley)Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:10 am ---- They now the law and there always right. But the way they talk to people some times is well out of order. I was at work yesterday delivering 100 tubs of 5 litre oil. Pulled up out side the garage when a traffic cop told me u cant park there. Tried to explain that a was unloading. But he was aragant and said that I still had to move the van so I jumped in the van and moved it literally 3 meters down the road then he fined me £60 for not wearing a seat belt when I moved it the three meters, which in my opinion is very petty and a wast of tax payers money.
#25: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: Rob2859, Location: HalifaxPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 2:48 am ---- was on police camera action last night. e got made to peel them off. it was a yound drivers special i think
#26: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: iainlovatt, Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 2:53 am ---- also depends on how old the car is!? i cant remember the exact date but i think it may be before 2001 and you are aloud much darker tints on the front window!
#27: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: spike_202, Location: West midsPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 3:39 am ----
mattievrs wrote:
a guy on the old site (phillspug) got pulled for his limo tints and made to remove them there and then.When you have the fronts tinted you sign a disclaimer (at tintcentres anyway) to say you admit theyre illegal on the front windows.
Most front windows are tinted from factory close to the legal limit aswell.
No way he had his done with me lol, i havent heard from him since the old site.
#28: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: mattievrs, Location: LeicesterPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 3:44 am ----
spike_202 wrote:
mattievrs wrote:
a guy on the old site (phillspug) got pulled for his limo tints and made to remove them there and then.When you have the fronts tinted you sign a disclaimer (at tintcentres anyway) to say you admit theyre illegal on the front windows.
Most front windows are tinted from factory close to the legal limit aswell.
No way he had his done with me lol, i havent heard from him since the old site.
yeah it was back in august last year he was caught.Ive heard from him a couple of times via facebook but he didnt resign up to the site after it went down.
#29: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: RicH, Location: South East UKPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:30 am ----
nick180 wrote:
They now the law and there always right. But the way they talk to people some times is well out of order. I was at work yesterday delivering 100 tubs of 5 litre oil. Pulled up out side the garage when a traffic cop told me u cant park there. Tried to explain that a was unloading. But he was aragant and said that I still had to move the van so I jumped in the van and moved it literally 3 meters down the road then he fined me £60 for not wearing a seat belt when I moved it the three meters, which in my opinion is very petty and a wast of tax payers money.
What! What an absolute a*****e! I cant stand the majority of them. Some of them are really polite and just ask a few questions and then just say have a good night and thats it but some... makes me angry.
I feel sorry for you having to remove the tints there and then at a pickup zone. How embarassing like you said, but what can you do..
#30: Re: Fined for Window Tints Author: D4NTP, Location: Not Leeds or its surrounding areas!Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:52 am ---- Couldn't you just wind the windows down........
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I think the are within their rights to tell you to get them off on the street 
They do it just to try and get a reaction so they can breathalize/ vehicle search or check your tyres etc...
