The Royal Gazette took to the streets of Hamilton to gauge public opinion on whether tinted visors should be banned.

There was generally a mixed response but most people disagreed with the idea of making tinted visors illegal, saying they are necessary on Bermuda’s blinding roads.

The ongoing issue has created a lot of discussion in the past with regards to the amount of crimes committed by assailants who were subsequently unable to be identified.

The subject has been thrust into the spotlight once again after the armed robbery that took place on Monday at Warwick Esso gas station in which two suspects fled while wearing tinted visors.

Here’s what you had to say...

Ricardo Mello, 35, from Pembroke, doesn’t think the visors are the solution to the problem. He said: “Personally, I don’t think banning tinted visors is going to affect anything as far as robberies and stuff like that. They’ll just find another way to cover their faces.

“But if we’re going to ban the visors, what about the full face helmets? Guns are illegal as well and people still have them. I wouldn’t feel good about changing my dark visor just because other people are doing wrong especially since it blocks out the sun and its useful.”

Kenyana Outerbridge, a 25-year-old from Warwick also finds her dark visor useful, saying: “I don’t want them to ban tinted visors, I like mine. If the sun’s in my face or if it’s raining I can put my visor down but obviously with what happened on Monday they might have to be.

“It is definitely a cause for concern. A lot of people are getting away with stuff and abusing them. I don’t think people will comply at all if there was a law against them but it is a serious issue.”

Denae Simmons, 27, from Warwick is convinced that a ban wouldn’t matter. “I think tinted visors are fine because things are getting stolen on camera and they still can’t find who these people are so what’s the difference of having a visor, you either know who they are or you don’t,” she said.

“I like that my tinted visor blocks the sun out of my eyes, I’ve had a clear one but the glare comes through and I’ve actually had to pull the visor up which basically defetes the purpose of having one. As opposed to stopping crimes I just don’t really think it makes a difference. You’re taking away from the innocent but at the same time the culprits can still get away.”

Meanwhile, there were some members of the public who felt that tinted visors should be banned but to a certain extent.

Toni Robinson, 56, from Pembroke, said: “Truthfully, having ridden a bike I can appreciate the tint because of the glare, its very bright on our roads. However, with the uprise of robberies, especially if you have those visors that cover the entire face, there might need to be a ban.

“Maybe folks will just have to bite the bullet and wear shades instead. I know with some business there is a requirement to take helmets off when you come in the door because just because you really can’t tell who you’re talking to. Anything that doesnt cover the entire face should be allowed.”

“If only a slight tint is allowed then I’m not against it because there’s been so many incidents on the road, with a really dark tint it’s harder to recognise people,” said Jessie De Vreede, a 21-year-old from Pembroke.

“I never use my visor, I don’t like riding with it down. I used to really want a one but then I thought for what? I never ride with it down, I’ll put my shades on if I need protection from the sun.”

Bria Mendez, 18, saw the idea of the ban as as a way to stop a small amount of crime but not all, saying: “I think that tinted visors should be banned because people usually hide their faces when they’re up to no good like the incident that happened on Monday but they will still find ways to hide their faces if they are.”

Jamesell Brangman, 45, from Hamilton Parish, is all for the ban, saying: “Yes, I think banning tinted visors is a good thing because in all of these incidents everybody has had one and without them we would be able to identify the suspects easier. People would just have to obey the law.”