[ytdytvhxgydvhh]

Tinted windows are such a pet peeve of mine. I get it in the tropics but in most of America the individual benefits of dark tint seem like they’d be outweighed by the collective good of better visibility through cars, enabling eye contact with drivers, etc.

The SUV craze is really to blame - in general many US states don’t allow dark tint on traditional cars but do on SUVs. And since rear windows on vans and light trucks (aka SUVs) are exempted from window tint restrictions, pull up to a typical intersection in the US and look around and you can’t see worth a damn.

Somehow it’s ok for a Subaru Crosstrek to have dark tint but not an Impreza that is the same car but lower? There are even more weird situations like the Mercedes Benz GLA compact CUV which typically has tinted windows, but not the top-of-the-line AMG trim because that one has a lowered suspension, making it a “car” instead of a “light truck”.

[vegetablepotpie]

I was surprised by SUVs being able to have more window tint, and I looked it up, and you’re right [1]. For windshield and drive side windows it’s the same as a sedan, but for rear windows it can be darker for passenger comfort.

Apparently in Alabama at least, the manufacturer determines the designation [2]. So you might be able to call Subaru about the Impreza and have them call it “an SUV” to get that sweet rear window tint.

[1] https://www.suvradar.com/can-suvs-have-tinted-windows/

[2] https://www.alea.gov/dps/highway-patrol/alabama-tinting-regu...

[kevin_thibedeau]

This wouldn't be as much of a problem if "crossover" hatchbacks were properly classified as cars as they should be.

[dymk]

In most states (all?) it's illegal to have a tinted front window, yet people still have them, because it's not enforced. IMO cops should be citing people left and right for tinted windows and tinted license plate covers. You'd think they'd already be taking advantage of such an easy revenue source.

[sndknd]

Exactly this. I’m not a fan of cops, but ENFORCE THE LAWS.

If the tint is illegal, cite the person and force them to remove it right there.

If we aren’t going to enforce the law, remove it from the books.

[jstarfish]

They do though. It's one of those things you'll get cited for if you're already being cited for something else, or they need a reason to pull you over to begin with (seatbelt law). See how many people complain about this on tuner forums, especially in hot/sunny places like Arizona and California.

Sometimes they'll let you tear off the tint and avoid the citation.

Technically they should be ticketing everyone that doesn't use turn signals either but there are only so many cops, so many hours in the day, and more-pressing issues to deal with (accident reports, domestic disputes, etc.).

[SoftTalker]

Cops are understaffed and overworked in any major city. They have bigger fish to fry than worrying about stuff like window tint or really most traffic infractions that aren't just totally reckless driving.

Basically, if it's something that would just be a ticket and a fine, and not an arrestable offense, chances are good they have something more urgent to deal with. Even if it's something they could make an arrest for, if the prosecutor is just going to dismiss the case, why bother?

Chickens are coming home to roost after the last few years.

[Kye]

I doubt cops like pulling people they can't see over. They could be shot dead and never see the gun.

[vivalasvega]

Perhaps, then, those officers could get safer jobs doing something else, if they are unable to perform their duties. Or perhaps it could be harder to drive around freely with and conceal a deadly weapon. We have a lot of options other than "just let people break the law, I guess".

[sndknd]

Nope. “Let people break the law” is the new standard.

[sobkas]

> Nope. “Let people break the law” is the new standard.

First of all cops in America don't have to do nothing. Being robbed or murdered? Nah, let's look other way. Mass shooter on the prowl? But he can shoot at me better hide. White person in expensive car, nothing happened, nothing to see. But as soon there is money to be made through civil forfeiture, every cop is all of sudden a brave law defender. There is no money in law enforcement, but a lot in legalised theft.

[reducesuffering]

> Perhaps, then, those officers could get safer jobs doing something else, if they are unable to perform their duties.

Do you have this same energy for every hazardous occupation? Like when workers protest dangerous working conditions? Do you also advocate they "could get safer jobs?"

[Aeolun]

Well, “make conditions safer” has historically not gone down well in the states.

[0xcafefood]

There are many issues facing the US, but consistently unsafe working conditions doesn't seem to me to be one of them. Can you explain why you think there's widespread opposition to workplace safety in the US?

[dymk]

Take a picture of car and the license plate, and send them a citation in the mail. We already have traffic cameras doing the same thing.

[Zak]

SUVs having different rules is bizarre, but I'm confused as to how this impairs your ability to make eye contact with drivers since it doesn't apply to the front windows.

[ytdytvhxgydvhh]

Because it’s normalized dark window tint all around over the past few decades. We used to think family cars looked like this rather than the heavily tinted vehicles of today: https://i.insider.com/5e875eba8427e939fb61ffb4?width=1200&fo...

So now individuals get dark tint on windshields and front side windows, which would have really stood out 40 years ago but now is just another dark window in a sea of dark automotive glass. That’s my theory anyhow.