Some motorists are breathing a sigh of relief after the announced three-month moratorium on the enforcement of new tint legislation.
The regulations were originally to go into effect today [yesterday], but the deadline has been extended to December 1.
Driver Hyacinth Bascombe said there was no need to rush.
“I understand the point of view in terms of identifying who may be in a vehicle, but is it necessary to rush it? I think consideration has to be taken for those who purchased vehicles with tint already installed, who would need more time. Nearer to the end of the year is favourable.
“A lot of parents are buying school clothes now, so a reprieve is necessary. In truth, I think they should forget about it altogether. I believe there are other means to deter crime,” she said.
A woman, who gave her name as Sheryl, said her tint was deemed “perfect” but she remained worried.
“What if one person says it’s good, but a police officer says it’s not? You don’t give me something saying that I passed?” she asked.
As for the moratorium, Sheryl said it was a good thing for those who didn’t get the chance to change their tint, adding she agreed with the new legislation in light of things like car-jackings.
A man, who declined identification, said three months was inadequate and he predicted a further extension would be made. He said one of the problems was vehicles with built-in smart glass.
“You’ve got vehicles coming down with glass that transitions; the hotter the outside gets, the darker it gets. So what are you going to do about them? Who will cover that cost to get that replaced?” he asked.
Despite his concerns, the man said he empathised with the police, who were “ordinary human beings” like everyone else and wanted to feel safer.
Hartell Holder said the tint issue was a diversion from the real problems in the country.
“We have dug up roads in Ashton Hall, St Peter, that were never fixed, and I have lost tyres due to potholes. Plus, we need more lights and/or reflectors on roads like the Ronald Mapp Highway; it’s ridiculous,” he said.
Monica Holder agreed with the move, as she said some vehicle tints were too dark, which was a problem at night when it came to visibility.
Herbert Jones said he will be getting his tint removed within the next couple of days. He said the extension was a relief.
“I don’t have a quarrel with taking off my tint because if you look at some vehicles, you can’t see who is behind the wheel and with the ignorance some people are doing, it is a good move,” he said.
A woman, who declined to be identified, said she was not worried about her tint despite not getting tested. Her mother, who also did not wish to be named, said she was a regular passenger but could not stand too much direct sunlight.
“My doctor warned me to avoid sunlight directly on my skin. So if I’m sitting in a car and it’s a bright sunny day, then I have to protect myself,” she said.
The older woman recounted how she once used the windshield sunshade to cover herself, causing no end of distress for her daughter, who could not see the side mirror. She said this was proof she needed a dark enough tint to keep the sun off herself, even if it was just on the passenger side where she usually sat.
Sade Clarke said the three months were inadequate as people needed even longer to adjust, especially as the places removing tint were booked up. She said she saw both sides of the issue, such as the need to protect from the sun versus the safety of officers, but wondered if there was not some middle ground. She added that reducing tint was not a guarantee of safety, as a criminal could still hide a weapon from sight.
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