Louisiana State Police are cracking down on people driving with illegally tinted windows and license plate coverings on vehicles. LSP troopers will be issuing tickets the first week of May. Trooper First Class Ross Brennan says obscured license plates and dark windows make it difficult for troopers to investigate crashes. “We’re responding to a lot of hit and run crashes where the victims couldn’t get a good identification of the driver behind the wheel or a good license plate number on that vehicle because they were obscured.” Louisiana law requires car front window tint to have light transmission of at least 40%, side windows 25% and rearmost windows 12%.
In a statement released by Louisiana State Police, Troop C Commander Captain Kevin Resweber emphasized, “Dark window tints can significantly reduce a driver’s ability to see clearly, especially at night or in adverse weather conditions. This not only endangers the driver and passengers but also poses a serious threat to pedestrians and other motorists.”
Captain Resweber also highlighted how illegal window tint can hinder law enforcement officers’ ability to conduct traffic stops safely. “When officers are unable to see inside a vehicle due to excessively dark window tint, it creates a potential officer safety concern. Traffic stops are a critical aspect of ensuring public safety, and obstructed visibility increases the risk for both officers and motorists.” Penalties for violators include $150 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and $350 for subsequent offenses.
There are window tint exemptions in Louisiana for medical conditions, professional drivers, such as chauffeurs or security personnel, or law enforcement agents or first responders. For more information on exemptions contact Louisiana State Police.
