Window Tinting
It’s Tuesday, which means Sgt. Eaton is back with another edition of #TrafficTipTuesday!
“Hello and welcome to a very merry edition of #TrafficTipTuesday. Recently I was in our Southern Precinct chatting with one of my favorite Deputies. He had a great suggestion for a topic that we see allllllll the time on Harford County roads. Let’s get to it!
There are lots of reasons to have window tint applied to your vehicle. Some people like the way it looks. Some people have small children that they want to protect from sun damage, and others out there have medical conditions (usually involving their eyesight) which requires their windows to have some level of tint. Whatever the reason is, it seems that everyone has tinted windows. This is all fine and dandy, as long as you follow the laws set by the State of Maryland.
Window tint is measured based on the percentage of light that can pass through the window after the tint in applied. The Maryland Transportation Article sets that legal amount at 35%. This means, if your window allows LESS than 35% of the light to pass through your tint is considered illegal. Many Deputies are issued a “tint meter.” This small portable device is placed is hooked over the edge of a vehicle window and tells us exactly how much light is coming through. If the reading is less than 35% you could be issued either a $70 citation, OR an equipment repair order. A repair order means you will need to remove ALL of your tint and have your vehicle re-checked within 10 days, or your vehicle registration could be suspended.
Oh yeah…one other thing. Window tint is not permitted in ANY amount on your vehicle’s windshield. No tint meter needed for these violations. Windshield tint anywhere below the AS1 line (small marks on the edge of your windshield about six inches or so from the top) is the basis for a stop and having some paperwork issued. You may be saying to yourself “Wowsers, Traffic Sergeant Eaton. You sure do sound kind of serious about this.” Frankly, I am. While cars with window tint is not a signal for being involved in a crime, when a heavily tined vehicle is involved in a crime, it makes it more difficult to identify possible suspects, and it poses a safety hazard as you are unable to tell if the person in the vehicle has a weapon.
As always, if you have a question or concern, please leave it in the comments below. Also, if you have a specific concern with unsafe driving in your area, such as speeding, drag racing, etc., give us a call, send an email, or reach out on social media. Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
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