window tint

[G1500]

I don't eat fries I drop, I leave them there

I honestly feel that if you are truly driving defensively, you would not need any sort of communication to the other drivers other than your signals.

Not really touchy, just don't know why it is such a big deal for people to have to see other drivers. I see people on the freeway trying to look into my windows all the time, I don't know what the fascination is. Those are the people who cause delays and accidents if you ask me. My window tint has yet to cause an accident.

[tempdrummer]

I have a question, how is it dangerous if you can't see me? Why do you even care? You should be focused and concentrated on your driving instead of watching me while you drive.

I never said I was watching you "drive". I said at an intersection (or 4 way stop) its annoying when you can't see if anyone is looking, waving you through or acknowledging the fact that i'm about to drive through.

Its called driving defensively. I'm always the guy to wave the other car through rather than just assume the other person saw me and isn't gonna t-bone me cause he's bent down picking up a french fry he just dropped.

[G1500]

That is your driving style then. I can drive all day long without having to see another person's face. I seem to have no problem with it.

[MaHoTex]

If said vehicle had crystal clear windows, and was turning and not looking, what would you do?

The situation is the same. Just being able to see someone doesn't change.

Not the same. If you are about to pass an intersection where a car is trying to turning into your same lane, it certainly is helpful to see if the person is looking in your direction. If they are starting the slow roll anticipating me passing and only THEN merging in behind me while looking in my direction is totally different that if they do the same exact thing but are looking away.

The slow roll in anticipation of me passing is hugely different that a slow roll while looking the opposite direction.

Of course, the risk of them pulling out is still present, it is MUCH more likely they will see me if their eyes are on me. My ability to see their face and not the back of their head greatly influences my reaction/decision on what to do next.

So, I argue that being able to achieve eye contact is critical and it is ineed safer.

[G1500]

Wow, a lot of ignorant spouting off regarding tint NOT being an officer safety factor... DO THE JOB and THEN come back and tell me/everyone that it's perfectly safe NOT being able to see clearly into a vehicle on a traffic stop or that window tint does NOT compromise officer safety in any way...

Not saying an officer's job is not easy or not dangerous, but what about other states that allow tinted windows, is it easier for them to do the job, or is it just dangerous in CA?

Either way, it is beside the point, if I get pulled over, I roll my windows down so the officer can see in the vehicle, and I have license, registration, and proof of insurance ready for him. This way, he can clearly see into the vehicle to see what I am doing.

I do agree though with some others, with super dark tint on the rear windows of a vehicle, the officer cannot see in. If some gang bangers were getting pulled over, and the officer could clearly see the driver, and there is someone hiding out in the back seat, he could be in for some trouble.

People need to remember, bad people do bad things, whether they are breaking the law at the time or not. An officer's life could easily be in danger if he pulls over a vehicle with no tinted windows and lets his guard up for a split second.

I have noticed though, since I have had my windows tinted, that I drive safer, and make sure all my ducks are in a row, more so than before, simply due to the fact that the minute I pull out of my driveway I have a reason to be pulled over at any time.

[97F1504RAD]

Wow, a lot of ignorant spouting off regarding tint NOT being an officer safety factor... DO THE JOB and THEN come back and tell me/everyone that it's perfectly safe NOT being able to see clearly into a vehicle on a traffic stop or that window tint does NOT compromise officer safety in any way...

That would depend on how dark the tint is.

[Samuelx]

4 way stops are a perfect example of when it is good to see the other drivers. How about passing an interesction with another car trying to turn out? It is good to know they are looking your direction.... I think it is a good defensive driving.

Absolutely. ALWAYS better to be able to see than not.

[Samuelx]

Wow, a lot of ignorant spouting off regarding tint NOT being an officer safety factor... DO THE JOB and THEN come back and tell me/everyone that it's perfectly safe NOT being able to see clearly into a vehicle on a traffic stop or that window tint does NOT compromise officer safety in any way...

[G1500]

4 way stops are a perfect example of when it is good to see the other drivers. How about passing an interesction with another car trying to turn out? It is good to know they are looking your direction.... I think it is a good defensive driving.

If said vehicle had crystal clear windows, and was turning and not looking, what would you do?

The situation is the same. Just being able to see someone doesn't change.

I drive like none of the cars on the road are looking at me. What is they aren't, I am prepared.

[MaHoTex]

I have a question, how is it dangerous if you can't see me? Why do you even care? You should be focused and concentrated on your driving instead of watching me while you drive.

4 way stops are a perfect example of when it is good to see the other drivers. How about passing an interesction with another car trying to turn out? It is good to know they are looking your direction.... I think it is a good defensive driving.

[G1500]

This is a law that has always aggravated me. My stance is somewhere in the middle. I think front windows should be allowed to have tint but no more than 30% tint.

At 30% you get decent protection from the sun but its still very much visable for the safety of other drivers. You can see me, I can see you.

Its the people rolling around with 5% tint on the front windows that piss me off. When I pull up to a stop sign and I have no idea if theres even a person at the wheel its just not safe.


As for it being for the officers safety. BS. You can have 0% tint on the back and rear windows where thugs can be watching your every move but its totally safe cause you can see the driver?

I'm all for officer safety, dont get me wrong, but lets be realistic here.....oh wait...we're in california....thats right.

I have a question, how is it dangerous if you can't see me? Why do you even care? You should be focused and concentrated on your driving instead of watching me while you drive.

[oddjob]

In my day lots of us didn't write fix it tickets on vehicles. We stopped them, but didn't write tickets. It was probable cause for the next officer. Tinted windows (along with other "fix-it" violations) are good tools for law enforcement.

On my vehicles I have no tints.....Sun glasses are good enough for me.

[tempdrummer]

This is a law that has always aggravated me. My stance is somewhere in the middle. I think front windows should be allowed to have tint but no more than 30% tint.

At 30% you get decent protection from the sun but its still very much visable for the safety of other drivers. You can see me, I can see you.

Its the people rolling around with 5% tint on the front windows that piss me off. When I pull up to a stop sign and I have no idea if theres even a person at the wheel its just not safe.


As for it being for the officers safety. BS. You can have 0% tint on the back and rear windows where thugs can be watching your every move but its totally safe cause you can see the driver?

I'm all for officer safety, dont get me wrong, but lets be realistic here.....oh wait...we're in california....thats right.

[MaHoTex]

Can't. There is no medical exemption in the vehicle code for window tint, and a doctors note has absolutely zero legal meaning. IF there is a medical necessity, the VC does authorize a driver to use a "removable sun shade" provided that it is removed during vehicle operation at night, refer to 26708(a)(10) CVC:

Hmmm. Dang.

How the heck do ya'll remember all of thee stupid CVC codes... GEESH... Just when I thought I had it all figured out I get the smack down.

[Turo]

I pretty much stopped using AC altogether once I got window tint. It is REALLY bad on the way to work because I take 405 South, so the sun is right in my freaking face, then on the way home I take 405 North and again the sun is right in my freaking face.

I hear ya there.