CLARKSVILLE, TN – The Clarksville Police Department has seen a rise in cars with tinted windows, and they issued a warning to the public that window tints are illegal and pose a public safety threat.
Tinted windows are a violation of state law (TCA 55-9-107), and that applies to all vehicles regardless of what state the vehicle is registered, CPD said in a news release.
The Tennessee law specifically states: “It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle that has a visible light transmittance of less than 35%; or (with the exception of the manufacturer’s standard installed shade band), reduces the visible light transmittance in the windshield below 70%.
All windows on motor vehicles come with a glazing/tinted process that has already reduced the light transmittance to approximately 70% on all windows. The only windshield tint that is allowed is approximately the top 6 inches of the windshield, the “shade band.”
Illegally tinted windshields pose a safety threat to the citizens of Clarksville and Montgomery County. Concerns include:
- Visual acuity and depth perception are affected when windows are tinted too dark. This limits the driver’s visibility, especially during inclement weather conditions or low light/nighttime driving and increases the chance of a crash which could cause injury to all parties involved.
- Pedestrians walking are virtually impossible to see, especially if they are wearing dark clothing.