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New technology allows Broken Arrow Police to nab drivers with windows that are illegally tinted

If your windows are too dark, you may want to avoid driving through Broken Arrow.

A new city ordinance aims to crack down on cars with windows that are too dark.

How dark is too dark?

New technology in the hands of Broken Arrow police takes the guesswork out of that question.

Officers are equipped with 'tint meters' that digitally measure how much light a window allows.

Any reading under 25% could result in a $200 fine.

Although the state law has been in place for years, the Broken Arrow Police Department has taken steps to begin enforcing this law due to an increasing number of violations that officers are observing.

Broken Arrow Police Sergeant Ed Ferguson tells KRMG that the typical problem encountered is vehicles equipped with after-market window tint beyond factory and lawful specifications.

Ferguson says that results in a safety issue.

Ferguson goes on to say the dark tinting found on some vehicles can decrease drivers' ability to see other traffic or objects, especially at night, which can contribute to the cause of traffic collisions.

The excessively dark tinting found on some vehicles can create safety concerns for officers when they make routine traffic stops.

Ferguson tells KRMG that there have been some instances of persons committing criminal acts and concealing their identity behind the darkness of the vehicle windows.

Both state law and Broken Arrow ordinance mandate that vehicles cannot have less than 25% of light transmission on the side and rear windows, as well as no tinting below the upper portion of the windshield.

Ferguson says the intent of B.A.P.D. enforcement is to target violators that have modified their vehicles beyond factory specifications and what is allowed by law with excessively dark tinting on their vehicles.

Broken Arrow Police will not begin active enforcement of this law till November 1st.

This will allow the public the opportunity to ensure their vehicle equipment is in compliance with the regulation before being subject to a citation.

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