Mount Isa drivers have been warned that vehicles with illegal window film run the risk of an on-the-spot fine and defect repair notice.
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Sergeant Shaune English, Officer in Charge, Mount Isa Road Policing Unit, said window tinting must be within legal limits. “Some people seem to think ‘the darker the better’, but there are limits on how dark tinting can be,” Sgt English said.
“Mount Isa Police Officers conduct regular safety inspections to ensure all vehicles on our roads meet Vehicle Safety and Standards Regulations, and the tint is something we look at.
“We’ve also seen an increased in tinted strips at the bottom of windscreens, which is illegal regardless of how dark it is.”
Queensland rules state ‘Automotive tinting material which has a light transmittance factor of not less than 35 per cent…may be applied to any non-tinted side or rear window.’
President of the Window Film Association of Australia and New Zealand Ally Cronan, said when applied correctly, window film helps protect against heat, UV damage and break-ins.
“Problems arise when some tinters give bad advice, who either don’t know, don’t care or are unsure about the current requirements and recommend film that’s too dark,” Ms Cronan said.
“We’ve heard of film as dark as 20% being applied to cars in the Mount Isa area.”
Adding to the confusion is the fact that privacy glass, or factory-tinted glass, is found on most newer vehicles.
Privacy glass means the actual glass already contains a tint and when applying window film over the top the combination must still allow a minimum of 35%.
No film is allowed anywhere on a windscreen other than the upper 10% of the glass.
Sergeant English said police officers across Queensland enforce these provisions, and drivers not complying with the standards risk a fine of $121.
“The car owner must also pay for the removal of the film,” he said.
Ms Cronan advised people to contact a local WFAANZ member, such as Sun-X Window Tinting in Mount Isa for the best advice.