Blacked out rear windows.

[monkeypony]

My signum came as new with blacked out rear windows (passenger and tail gate) I must say, I'm a big fan. When one or more of my bikes, or my dive kit or anything else of value is in the back they can't be seen by 'johnny-come-chavly' who might fancy his chances in a quick smah and grab.

 

[John the Monkey]

... has he not heard of a "handsfree kit"? Surely that's a safer and more convenient solution than blacking out the windows of his car? Or perhaps he could just not answer the phone while driving?

The part in bold works for me, given the effect mobile conversation has on hazard perception.

 

[XmisterIS]

The part in bold works for me, given the effect mobile conversation has on hazard perception.

I agree, I never answer the phone when driving and I don't have a handsfree either.

 

[HLaB]

You get tinted and 'blacked out' windows the latter tends to trigger alarm bells in my head. The driver may be sound but its better safe than sorry that pr@t plates and bad driving often go together.

 

[gambatte]

Not illegal though is it? If they still allow light to pass they're better than a van. So long as its driven responsibly and legally, what's the problem? Most of my initial driving was done in vans and I now primarily use side mirrors.

Some of us don't wear helmets, some might not like it, but its legal to ride without...

 

[Fab Foodie]

Not quite ...

Yeah. They call him 'Mr RT'

Fool!

 

[Jezston]

Not illegal though is it?

For a legal window tint in the UK the specifications are:
a) Motor Vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1985
b) The light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least 75%.
c) The front side windows (to either side of the drivers’ head) must allow at least 70% of light to be transmitted through them. If the glass is tinted to a point whereby it lets through less light, the vehicle is breaking UK Window tinting law.

 

[gambatte]

Hi Jezston, but the OP stated "Has anybody noticed an increase in the number of cars running about with tinted or blacked out back and rear passenger windows"

Your quote refers to windscreen and driver/front passenger

 

[GrasB]

For the most part blacked out rear windows aren't a problem. However the one thing that annoys me is that at night I have almost 0 visibility over my left shoulder which can make it hard pulling in from the offside lane of the motorway, you can't do that check to absolutely make sure that the lane is clear.

 

[HLaB]

Not illegal though is it? If they still allow light to pass they're better than a van. So long as its driven responsibly and legally, what's the problem? Most of my initial driving was done in vans and I now primarily use side mirrors.

Some of us don't wear helmets, some might not like it, but its legal to ride without...

Hopefully it is not a problem but it still triggers alarm bells in my head if they are 'blacked out' for instance I can't see that the driver sees me and when accompanied by pr@t plates/ noisy exhaust etc those sensors go into overload.

Oh and don't start the helmet debate; its so boring and anyway not wearing a helmet isn't liable to damage to another road user.

 

[gambatte]

Not wanting to kickstart the helmet debate, each to their own IMO.

Pr*t plates and noisy exhausts, could have an issue with them. Quite often not legal and usually not notified to insurers, if the drivers have them. Last thing you want is an altercation with someone who’s invalidated their insurance.

Just saying that tinted windows behind the driver on their own are legal and aren’t necessarily a liability – windows were the only mod mentioned by the op.

Better to be safe than sorry applies to all other road users. Years ago when I did my m’bike training, the 1[sup]st[/sup] advice the instructor gave me was assume everyone else drives like a d**k. (Pr*t plates or not.)

 

[tyred]

Just saying that tinted windows behind the driver on their own are legal and aren’t necessarily a liability – windows were the only mod mentioned by the op.

I don't have a problem with them. I spent most of my driving career at the wheel of a van and having tin where car drivers insist you need windows (and a blacked out back window). I never hit anything or caused any accidents. This can be said for millions of other van drivers. All the glass in the world won't help if the diver isn't paying attention.

 

[asterix]

Last car I saw being pulled over had tinted windows. He'd just overtaken me and I got a heck of shock when the cops switched on the bells and whistles.

My van has mirrored back window to stop tea leaves seeing in but I'm sure it attracts vain tailgaters who want to look at themselves.

 

[snailracer]

...Pr*t plates and noisy exhausts, could have an issue with them. Quite often not legal and usually not notified to insurers, if the drivers have them. Last thing you want is an altercation with someone who’s invalidated their insurance.
...

Now I might be wrong, but I thought the insurance company always pays out third party claims. The driver would then be in trouble with their own insurance company, which would seek to recover their costs due to not being notified about the dodgy engine mods.

 

[dan_bo]

Not quite ...

That's Fkin mint that.