Drivers urged to know the law – 6 weeks till tint enforcement starts

IN SIX weeks, the Windscreen and Window Tint Regulations 2020 will be enforced by police and officers from the Licensing Office in an attempt to maintain road safety and add another layer in the state's approach to fighting crime.

On July 29, the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Windscreen and Window Tint Regulation initiative was launched at the Ministry of National Security, Temple Court, Port of Spain.

Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who spoke at the launch, said the legislation was not new but was "put on hold" because of the covid pandemic.

"It really was not a time to enforce some of the measures taken. This law is not new, it was passed since 2018, if I'm not mistaken, in the Parliament," Sinanan said, adding that a new method of enforcing the tint regulation eliminates the subjectivity that was involved previously. He said the new method is science-based, with the use of tint-measuring devices.

"We felt it was time to use a scientific method...as it gives everyone a fair chance."

Sinanan said this regulation is not about raising revenue or penalising people, but about road safety.

"Though we have seen a spike in road fatalities this year, it is not going to deter us. We are going to continue implementing (regulations) that will improve road safety in Trinidad and Tobago."

Sonia Francis-Yearwood, permanent secretary in the ministry, said enforcement of the tint regulation is part of the ministry's broader vision to modernise Trinidad and Tobago's vehicular and traffic laws.

"Road accidents, though preventable, are a grave public health and developmental concern."

She said the ministry has been proactively implementing initiatives and solutions to promote road safety.

Some of these  include seatbelt regulations, mobile phone regulations, child booster seat regulations, introduction of speed technology, introduction of the demerit point system, and reform of the fixed-penalty and traffic ticketing system.

"Each of these measures represent a step forward in our mission to create a safer road environment for all users." Francis-Yearwood said the tint regulations will not only be used to tackle road safety, but also national security.

"Heavily-tinted windows have long posed a significant challenge for law enforcement, often being exploited by individuals seeking to engage in criminal activities under the cover of darkness and anonymity.

"By introducing and strictly enforcing these tint regulations, we are not only making our roads safer but also taking a proactive stance against crime."

She said these regulations will enhance the ability of law enforcement officers to monitor and apprehend those who seek to disrupt Trinidad and Tobago's peace and security.

CoP Erla Harewood-Christopher welcomed the launch saying, "The TTPS welcomes this legislation as it is another tool in the arsenal to fight crime and criminality."

She said this will help with the safety of officers and bolster her plans to reduce violent crimes.

"There are 200 officers already trained in the use of the (tint measuring) device and more will be trained soon."

Commissioner of Transport Clive Clarke said approximately 90 per cent of licensing officers are also trained in using the tint-measuring device.

Francis-Yearwood said the Works and Transport Ministry will launch a "comprehensive" national public education campaign in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security themed Keep it Legal – Know Your Tint Levels.

"This campaign aims to raise awareness among the public about the new regulations, the legal limits of window tinting, and the broader implications for road safety and security."

Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds said the legislation will help the general public with issues such as mistaken identity, identify perpetrators more easily and allow law enforcement to detect contraband more easily.

Hinds added that 2,500 CCTV cameras were recently installed throughout the country.

Francis-Yearwood said the tint regulations will be subject to two reviews, one at six months and the other at 12 months after the launch, to analyse their effectiveness.

"This ongoing evaluation will help ensure that the laws are working as intended and will allow us to make any necessary adjustments to better serve the public's interest in road safety and security."

EDITOR'S NOTE:
For a full breakdown of the law, consequences and exemptions, visit the Ministry of Works and Transport website: https://www.mowt.gov.tt/Divisions/Transport-Division/Tint