Wandtv.com, NewsCenter17, StormCenter17, Central Illinois News-New state automobile law changes window-tinting restrictions
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Springfield, IL - A new state law allows you to drive with darker tinted windows.
“We've had a lot of questions about it and a lot of people are very interested in it. So a lot of people do want their front windows tinted,” said Street Art owner Sandy Fredericks. Why would anybody want the windows on their vehicle tinted? “To protect their interior, for the glare, privacy.” According to Fredericks, there's an issue of safety. “If you have window film on any windows in your car, the glass does not shatter if its broken. It sticks to the window film, so it prevents people from getting cut.”
“The film is metalized, the film it reduces 99% of the UV rays and reduces up to 70% of heat inside of your vehicle,” said Street Art Installer Francesco Ribaudo.
That is the way most vehicles come from the factory with just your standard anti-glare coating, but as of October 31st you now have up to a certain shade tinting on the front windows, and near-opaque limousine tinting on the rear windows which allow only 3% of light to pass through. Bill Glasscock, the owner of A1 Cool Tint, explains.
“The new law actually is a little bit confusing. If you have tinted windows in the back from the manufacturer you're only allowed to have 50% on your front windows. If you have nothing on an automobile at all, you can have 35% all the way around.”
Law enforcement officials say tinted windows do raise a safety concern such as during a safety stop where an officer may not be able to see who’s in the car or what they may have in their hands. Some people are allowed to drive with darker window tint because of a medical condition which makes them sensitive to light. In those cases the state issues a special license plate.
