Tinted front car windows not OK in B.C.; Kelowna RCMP issues reminder

Kelowna Mounties are seeing an increase in vehicles with tinted front driver and passenger windows, and wanted to remind the public it is illegal and potentially dangerous.

"And yes, this counts for all the Alberta drivers, too," RCMP Const. Solana Paré said in a press release.

Why are tinted windows illegal?

• If the vehicle is involved in a collision the glass is designed to break into small pieces, the window film doesn’t allow this to happen and the glass can become a large sharp object, possibly causing injury to the occupants.
• Tinted windows decrease the vision depth that a driver observes through the window, reducing his/her perception of objects through the window.
• Police officers are unable to observe how many occupants may be in the vehicle during traffic stops.
• Civilians are unable to identify occupants should the vehicle be involved in a hit and run or possible road rage incident.

Failure to comply with this law can cost you $109 under Section 7.05 (8) of the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act Regulations and/or an Inspection Order.

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