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Tinted Windows New Hampshire incident with police

DreamWorks61

DreamWorks61

Full Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
418
Location
Londonderry, NH
I was stopped by a Nashua NH police officer the other day and after approaching my drivers window she asked me if I knew why she pulled me over?? I said no!? She said your tints....they're too dark and that she couldn't see in the vehicle when she first spotted me.? I told her that I had them checked out by the Pelham, NH PD and they said they were fine and that they could see through them.? She then had me roll the window back up to see if she could see through them while standing on the side of the vehicle and agreed after that she could but it was very close to what's not allowed.? She let me go but with some great advise...she said here's something I want you to think about "it's summer time and we all go to cook out, outings and alot of outdoor events which could involve a drink or two if you're a social drinker right"?? I agreed with her.? She then said well, you just might get pulled over again and questioned about your tints in the future and it just could be after one of these events and you may have had only one or two drinks. What if the officer smells alcohol on you while questioning your tints?? I thanked her and removed the tint from the drivers and front passengers window the next day.
Truck still looks sexy minus the front tints.
Is New Hampshire the only state that doesn't allow tinits? :B:
 
Hi, 

Another NH member here.  I live in Nashua, just moved there a few weeks ago.  I hope to see you guys around. 

-Mark


 
A state trooper pulled me over and gave me the same lecture in my tinted-in-Florida T-Bird. Apparently any tint at all (despite what the Pelham PD said) has to be approved by the director of motor vehicle safety, and there has to be a health reason before it'll be approved. And yes, according to the current law, LE does have the "right" to remove the tinting, or require that you remove it, before letting you drive off.

Anyway, I a friend of mine was married to the Exeter chief of police, so she asked him about it. Turns out the main reason for the ban on front window tinting is so a cop can see if you're drinking while driving.  :rolleyes:
 
The cop ripped the tint off your window himself you say? I'd have been PISSED!
Even IF he had every right.  :8:

There are good reasons for tint laws.  A few years ago, people would tint all of their windows so dark that you could NOT see in even if you were standing next to the vehicle. They'd even tint the windshield and leave a small gap big enough to see thru!  I've even seen the whole windshield tinted, and with mirror tint.  Imagine trying to drive something like that at night.  That's why there are laws regarding tint..because of stupid people that overdid it. 

Now for a police officer stopping a vehicle, being able to see the occupants inside as they approach, to see if they're up to no good, is a good excuse for LEO to dislike window tint.  Nowdays the only things you see with "Limo" tint (really DARK tint) are Limos, and most police cars in Texas!  I do get somewhat miffed when I see a LEO car with very dark tint, when I can't have dark tint on my vehicle to protect the interior from UV, and hide my personal belongings from dishonest folks.

I'd love to have a coating that works like Transitions lenses in glasses.  The windows get dark in the sun, but clear up at night so you can still see. I'm sure it could be done, but would be cost prohibitive for us common folk. 

 
I found out the hard way that you can...and will get tint tickets in a state that you're just visiting.  I lived in AL, had AL plates, AL insurance and AL DL.  I was TDY in VA and got stopped for tinted windows.  when they metered them, it read 6% and I was ticketed.  I went home, changed clothes and left.  Within 45 minutes of the first ticket, I was stopped and ticketed AGAIN!!!  His reasoning for the 2nd ticket was "you had time to peel it off."  Not sure who's peeled off tint, but it aint a 45 minute job.  It takes longer to remove tint than it does to install it.  I fought the tickets and lost, but ended up only paying $45 in court costs...and kept my 6% tint.

(the above was copied from an earlier post from another thread)

this wasnt the 1st or last time i was stopped for tint.  I think they use it as an excuse to stop and check things out in the vehicle.  Out of all the times i've been stopped, I gotten only a few tickets, and have never had to pay one in court.

B
 
:love:i dont know if where you all live,they have the 50 % tint here in texas we have a 50 % tint checkered,the window has checkered tint 1/4 inch squares and 1/4 inch clear and then 1/4inch tint ,,do you see it becomes 50% and all police say its the best,,your man in the field abuelito :B:
 
abuelito said:
:love:i dont know if where you all live,they have the 50 % tint here in texas we have a 50 % tint checkered,the window has checkered tint 1/4 inch squares and 1/4 inch clear and then 1/4inch tint ,,do you see it becomes 50% and all police say its the best,,your man in the field abuelito :B:
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LOL, I had a judge in Bell Co. TX who was nice enough to provide me with a copy of the tint law because he felt i was probably a little too dark for TX tint laws. 
 
One area unmentioned about window tint is officer safety.
Many troopers and other officers have been shot and killed during traffic stops. Some were surprised by the suspect's actions due to the fact the window's were tinted and the officer couldn't look for warning signs.
Also a point to consider is the car occupant's safety. If the officer is on edge because he can't see then he is more likely to react with force to any sudden movement to protect his own life. That is the reason people who are stopped should put both hands on the steering wheel and only move slowly and when the officer tells you to.
You have to remember that officer doesn't know you at all and has to assume the worst case scenerio in order to do his job and come home to his family.
Every profession has bad examples but most LEOs are just trying to keep the public safe and catch the bad guys. ;D
 
Vaeagleav said:
One area unmentioned about window tint is officer safety.
Many troopers and other officers have been shot and killed during traffic stops. Some were surprised by the suspect's actions due to the fact the window's were tinted and the officer couldn't look for warning signs.
Also a point to consider is the car occupant's safety. If the officer is on edge because he can't see then he is more likely to react with force to any sudden movement to protect his own life. That is the reason people who are stopped should put both hands on the steering wheel and only move slowly and when the officer tells you to.
You have to remember that officer doesn't know you at all and has to assume the worst case scenerio in order to do his job and come home to his family.
Every profession has bad examples but most LEOs are just trying to keep the public safe and catch the bad guys. ;D
Click to expand...

good point.  even when i'm in a vehicle without tint, i ALWAYS keep my hands on the wheel.  Its not only he officer's safety you need to worry about, but your's also.  When he/she asks for reg, insurance or whatever, i inform them that its in the glove compartment before i start reaching for it.  The last thing i want to do is get shot by a nervous police because i make a stupid move.
 
She let me go but with some great advise...she said here's something I want you to think about "it's summer time and we all go to cook out, outings and alot of outdoor events which could involve a drink or two if you're a social drinker right"?  I agreed with her.  She then said well, you just might get pulled over again and questioned about your tints in the future and it just could be after one of these events and you may have had only one or two drinks. What if the officer smells alcohol on you while questioning your tints?
Click to expand...
 

this might be the stupidest thing I've ever read of a LEO saying to someone  :rolleyes:
 
Been pulled over 2 times because of my tint... been let go 2 times as well.

Just roll down your window AS SOON AS YOU GET PULLED OVER!!! This way he can see you and is less likely to give you crap about your window tint.

Of course this is just my opinion and 3 cents worth of advise.

AB, I had that checkered tint on my windows 1 time... but I was too busy trying to play Tic-Tac-Toe while I was driving. I guess you can say it was a little distracting.
 
NatsCanAv said:
I hope this doesn't hurt attendance at the White MNT GTG .. next fall  :E:

Nats
Click to expand...

Do you mean the Fourth Annual Avalanches in the White Mountains, target date September 9, 10, and 11? Featuring (hopefully) an Avalanche-only sunset drive up Mount Washington the evening of the 10th? And the now-internationally famous Cruisin' the Kanc on the 11th? And yes, this is a shameless plug?

No. I don't believe the cops will bother anyone with tinted windows and out-of-state plates. At least, they never bothered me until I changed the T-Bird's registration from Florida to New Hampshire.
 
I just have a comment on this post - Yes tint DOES look and make your truck look 10X better BUT officer safety and your own in more important than looks. I suggest ANYONE who is getting their vehical tinted to BE SURE what your state tint laws are and what is the highest you can go before getting a ticket.  Yes you CAN go above the limit but that is pushing it and would you rather have tint that looks good and is obeying the laws or pay $$$ for a ticket??? I also suggest anyone who is getting their truck/car tinted professionally to have the tinter sign a peice of paper to prove (if you DO get stopped by the police) that your tint is within the law limits. Why go above the limit and pay $$ for tickets when you can have good tint that is safe and looks just as good? Just my $0.02! Thanks!
Ty
 
wildernesschik said:
Dream,

Hope I didn't offend you with my email?? Tell me more about this "inner child that's curious and innocent"?? Be a ?Big Boy? and just answer my questions....come on, you can do it!

Sara >:D
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I don't know you well enough for you to offend me, hope that answers that! ?I did answer your questions, check your email! ?I do have an "Inner child that's curious but innocent". ?Not to worry, it's all good stuff! ?Now go check your email. I've answered all your questions.....hell I even answered questions you've yet to ask me!

Rod ?:p
 
wildernesschik said:
Dream,

Hope I didn't offend you with my email?? Tell me more about this "inner child that's curious and innocent"?? Be a “Big Boy” and just answer my questions....come on, you can do it!

Sara >:D
Click to expand...
Goofball! :eek:
 
Here's a link to a web site that states what the window tint laws are in each state.

http://www.tintdude.com/atoh.html

YGMN should be proud I remembered this topic from a previous tread and did a search.

Wildernesschik, I think I have your commute beat by about 6 miles. I commute from Candia to Nashua daily. I'll keep an eye out for you, and happy aving!

Tom
 
In MA...$250 fine if over 35% on the fronts.
No restrictions on the back. My friend just got
a ticket. They are supposed to check during inspection sticker time.
I go to a friends with the windows down. I hate that light gauge!!!!

Dave
 
That chart says "?" for front sides in Michigan, when tint film first came out they used to stop people but now you see windows blacked out all the time. A warning for anyone driving in Michigan, LEO here have been aggressively imposing safety belt laws since the week before Memorial Day. They'll have a cop standing on a corner or curbside  with a handheld radio and I've seen up to 2 dozen cars pulling over drivers left & right. ($65.00 a pop) If they can't see in they might stop you for a safety belt "check". (If you're not wearing it you'll be the one writing a check).  :rolleyes:
 
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