Includes the examination of tinted or shaded windows in the periodic inspection of motor vehicles

1 Co-sponsor

• Thomas Croci

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to including the examination of tinted or shaded windows in the periodic inspection of motor vehicles

Purpose

To include the examination of tinted or shaded windows in the periodic inspection of motor vehicles.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 - Amends subparagraph (a) of paragraph 1 of subdivision (c) of section 301 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 5 of part VI of Chapter 62 of the laws of 2003. Also recommends the legislature review the current inspection fee to determine if an increase is warranted.

Section 2 - Effective date

Justification

Many vehicle owners are currently violating the law by having tinted glass that exceeds current regulations regarding the degree of tint. In order to take a more proactive approach in regulating this problem, and enforcing current law, this bill would include tinted glass to be one of the items inspected during an automobile's yearly state inspection. If the glass on a vehicle is tinted beyond seventy percent of light transmittance, then that vehicle would not pass state inspection and the owner would have to remove it in order to do so.

Glass that is too dark inhibits other drivers from making necessary eye contact with a driver to understand their intent and severely hampers law enforcement's ability to observe if illegal activity is occurring within the vehicle. More importantly it prevents a police officer from knowing whether a driver or a passenger in that vehicle possess a weapon and that they are in imminent danger.

Prior legislative history

2003-2004 -- S.1142 2005-2006 -- S.37/A.9943 2007-2008 -- S.1273/A.281 2009-2010 - S.1493/A.3609 2011-2012 S.2542/A.7351

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall become a law; provided that the commissioner of motor vehicles is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations necessary and take any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date on or before such date.