No Tinted Glass for Vehicles to Ensure Safety

Vehicle owners are reminded to comply with the light transmission requirements of glass used in all windscreens and windows to ensure safety and not to make any alteration or addition to the glasses, which may increase their reflecting effect or decrease their transmission ability.

According to the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations, the glass shall be the safety material approved by the Commissioner for Transport; and of such transparency that it does not obscure the view of the interior of the motor vehicle.

"The approved type of safety glass should meet the requirements for light transmission rate of not less than 75 % for windscreens and 70 % for windows other than windscreens," the Senior Engineer of Transport Department (Vehicle Regulations and Standards), Mr Li Ying-ming said.

At present, all new vehicles applying for the first registrations have to be inspected in the Transport Department (TD)'s vehicle examination centres. The inspection would include measurement of light transmission of safety glass.

"Apart from new vehicles, TD also inspects the windscreens and glass windows of in-use vehicles during statutory roadworthiness inspections.

"In addition, vehicles with tinted glass can be reported to the Vehicle Inspection Office of TD (Tel.: 2867 4692) and the vehicles concerned would then be called up for inspection at a Vehicle Examination Centre", Mr. Li said.

He said that the owner concerned would be required to rectify the defects within a specified period of time.

"Offenders may also risk the possibility of being prosecuted when their vehicles are spotted and detained by the Police.

"Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and six-month imprisonment upon conviction," Mr Li added.

End/Wednesday, May 30, 2001