In a joint effort with the Road Safety Council and the Transport Control Department, Police have launched a crack down on illegal window tints.

In a move certain to be hailed by some and vilified by others, Transport Minister Ewart Brown has ordered Police and TCD Traffic Enforcement Unit officers to keep an eye out for window tints exceeding the 35 percent mark.

Under the law no more than 35 percent tint can be applied to any vehicle's windows, meaning the tint blocks only up to 35 percent of the light that strikes it.

Windscreens are to be kept clear except for a five inch strip at the top and even that strip must still allow in 65 percent of light.

Even with cars that are bought with factory tint any additional tint must not exceed the maximum allowable limit.

A Police spokeswoman said: "TEU officers are on patrol and have been cautioning offending motorists.

"However, they can request that a tint be removed on the spot,'' she continued, "or the offending vehicle may be impounded and taken to TCD to be tested. It is advised that all motorists ensure that their vehicles comply with TCD regulations to avoid this inconvenience.'' Authorities are also aware of the practice of removing the offending tint shortly before a visit to TCD for annual registration and replacing the tint afterward for up to $800.

The spokeswoman added: "Suppliers of the tints have been advised, and have agreed to support the joint initiative.

"Obviously there are safety issues at play. It is difficult to see if the driver of an excessively tinted car has noticed your approach at an intersection or crosswalk.

"Also, for Police, making a positive identification on the driver of a suspect vehicle is often hampered by dark or reflective silver tints,'' she added.

TCD director Donald Dane said: "You can't see in and the people can't see out well, particularly at night. When you get it done, the people tell you it will take some time to adjust to it at night.

"The Police should have been cracking down on it all the time, but because its getting so bad with the tint getting darker than before they are doing something.

"It's got to the point now where we're trying to bring some semblance of normality. It doesn't make any sense have regulations if you are not going to enforce them.''