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More Controversy Over Window-Tinting Ticket-Writing Campaign

September 2, 2003

By Molly Shen


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BELLEVUE - The Washington State Patrol is out to catch drivers with windows that are tinted too dark. And the ticket-writing campaign is causing quite a bit of controversy.

Window tinters and troopers are at odds over what the law means.

Mary Tobin is one of the people caught in the middle. Tobin got a $101 ticket for her tinted windows, and she came right back to the place that applied the film.

"Because when I came in to get my windows tinted, I said I wanted them as dark as they could be and the comment was they can only be so dark according to the laws," she explained.

Tobin asked for the darkest tint allowed by law, and according to Rudy Falsis of Bellevue's Mr. Tint and Sun, that's what she got.

"So we're reading at 29 percent (of light getting through)," Falsis says as he holds a light meter to her window. "In the RCW (state law), it says the very minimum is 24 percent. So we're well above that."

When Falsis says the law allows 24 percent, he means at least a quarter of the light must get through the window.

But the State Patrol has a drastically different interpretation. Troopers say you must let at least 65 percent of the light through.

Troopers started cracking down two weeks ago, and have written well over a hundred tickets.

They insist it's a matter of safety. Police need to be able to see into a car when they pull someone over.

But the tickets have sparked confusion and anger -- both for drivers and window tinters who believe the Patrol is getting it wrong.

Jaime Knutson is a window tinting sales representative with Madico. He's also involved with an industry group called the International Window Film Association.

"Definitely we need to get in contact with the State Patrol and work on educating them on what the law states," says Knutson. "Educating them on how to read the light meters."

The Patrol insists troopers have already had that training, that they've talked to the courts, and they stand by their interpretation of the law. Still because of all the questions, the Patrol will keep researching the law.

"Oh, I'm fighting it," says Mary Tobin. "I'm going to get a court date. I'm not gonna pay it."

Mary Tobin believes her windows are legal. The State Patrol says they're not.

A judge will decide who's right.

By the way, the law in question applies to front driver and passenger side windows. Vans and SUVs can have darker windows in the back.

You can read the full text of the law at this http://www.pcisys.net/~bpc/auto_law/tint/tint_wa.txt

 

It's always SOMETHING trying to impede people from enjoying their cars.

 

I understand why they have these laws, but this is getting ridiculous. Whenever ive been pulled over ive always got my windows already down waiting for the cop.

But now that im "illegally" tinted I just roll my windows down whenever i see cops. Most here dont care anyway, mine arent that dark.

 

NO SHIT! fucking asswipes have to bitch and gripe about everything...even HIDs...(i will admit though aftermarket HIDs are a bit annoying compared to factory)...

I always thought the tint law in WASHINGTON was 35%...bullshit if it is 65%

why even bother tinting if it's 65%?

 

Have you ever noticed that almost all new car ads feature cars with tinted windows both in print and on TV? Hmmmmmm.... could it be that they look good?

 

fockers.
i ride w 35% tints. illegal in Jersey (got jersey tags) although legal in PA. i also ride w no front plate (also illegal in jersey)

 

I have 15% tints.

Last time a cop pulled me over, I opened the left window and sun roof. Also, because it was at night, I turned on all 3 lights inside.

 

65% my ass! it is 35%. ive had 20% for well over a year now without a single problem now i gotta worry about this shit too.

 

just roll down your windows. jake will feel fine

 

What is the legal percent for NJ? It is pure b.s. if it is 65%

 

I’m pretty sure NJ is the same as PA.
Only 70% is legal on older (pre 1999) cars for U/V protection only.
70% is pretty much CLEAR if you didn’t know that.

Since newer cars (1999 & up) have built-in U/V protection you’re not allowed ANYTHING on the front-side windows.

If you’re not causing problems they usually let you slide with 35% on the sides, but not always.

Shawn S

 

I have 15% too, Only been pulled over once for it. State trooper singling me out out of a pack of cars doing the speed limt of 70mph down the FL turnpike one Sunday morning. That was in another car like 3 years ago.

 

I have a friend who is a cop and his personal feelings are that if at night, with your interior lights on, he wants to be able to see your face and hands as he walks up. Thats all.
So if anyone gets pulled over (day or night), it is always a good idea to turn your interior lights on and keep your hands in a visible spot. Like on the steering wheel or on the dash. He said it shows a little respect and some cops will be easier on you.

You gotta realize that even though your car comes "clear" there is always a slight tint to stock glass that when added to aftermarket tint, may be over the limit.

But is is total B.S. about how you "read" the laws. Does 35% mean it stops 35% and lets in 65%. Or does 35% mean that it lets in 35% and stops 65%...