Special Report: Cars with tinted glasses ply again in the city

• Violation of traffic rules

Mangaluru: Years have passed since the Supreme Court ordered the removal of tint films from the windows of vehicles. However, some cars have again installed tinted glasses and are moving carefree on the streets of the city. The police book cases against two wheeler riders who fail to use a helmet and against car drivers who do not wear seat belts. But, it is almost as if there is no one to question those who have installed tinted glasses in the cars.

Although the traffic police have been organizing various programmes to spread awareness on traffic rules, it is not being effective. If the police catch a car with tinted glasses, they have the right to collect fine of Rs 100 on the first offence, Rs 300 on the second offence. Also according to the order, if the vehicle is caught for the 3^rd time, the police can seize the documents of the vehicle.

Curtains instead of tints

In order to gain respite from the heat of the sun, some vehicle owners have started to install curtains within their vehicles. According to the Court, this action is far more dangerous than using tinted glasses. Therefore, the police needs to initiate strict action against those who are violating traffic rules.

Usage irrespective of the Court’s order

Vehicle passengers install black tint films on the windows of their vehicles to escape from the heat of the sun. However, criminals also make use of the very same tinted glasses for their nefarious proposes like kidnapping, rape, robbery and other crimes. The Supreme Court considered this as a serious issue and in the backdrop of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), it passed an order on April 27^th 2012, banning the use of tinted glasses on vehicles.

After this order was passed, a few people voluntarily removed the tint, while a few others were forced to remove the tint by the police. In the beginning, the police launched operations to remove tint from the windows and eventually they got down to collecting fines. But now, it can be seen that the vehicles have again started using tint films.

Action on vehicles using tint; fine

“If we see vehicles with tinted glasses, we remove the tint and fine them. Everyone should strictly follow traffic rules,” said Manjunath Shetty, ACP, Mangaluru City Traffic Division