No dark side to tinted car windows

I read with interest The Case Against Tinted Car Windows (Hugh Peralta, May 27).

The article argues that "Tinted car windows constitute a hazard in that the driver's vision of the road and of other users is thereby diminished - more so in artificial light, or lesser evening light." This statement is rather perplexing.

One must not confuse darkened rear windows with privacy glass. According to Subsidiary Legislation 65.11 - Motor Vehicle Regulations, darkened rear windows are to allow at least 30 per cent of light through, whereas privacy glass could even block out light completely. I assume that the article's author is referring to the latter, and possibly to vehicles with heavily tinted front windows which are illegal.

I drive a car with factory-fitted darkened rear windows which conform to the legal limits established in the regulations. I can assure that the driver's vision is not diminished. Tinted windows look darker from the outside than from the inside, giving the false impression that visibility is significantly hampered. Even when visibility through rear windows is diminished, as in the case of delivery vans, one can still drive safely, as long as one makes regular use of the side rear-view mirrors.

The article continues to argue that "occupants in cars having tinted windows are not identifiable". This argument holds true when all windows, including front windows, are tinted beyond the maximum levels stipulated in the regulations. Otherwise, both the driver and front passenger(s) could be identified (unless their face is covered), whereas only those in the rear would not. This scenario is not unlike that where occupants sit, albeit illegally, in the rear of a panel van. By the same argument, then, all panel vans should be declared illegal. I also do not agree that "tinted car windows are a boon to criminals". There are numerous ways to conceal one's identity. Face masks, hoods and crash helmets spring to mind. One may of course speculate that tinted windows could lead to an increase in crime; however I do not think that criminals lay in waiting until tinted windows appeared on the market.