Almost two years after the ban on tinted films on car windows was enforced, many private vehicles in the city continue to flout the rule.
In March alone, Bangalore traffic police booked 3,565 vehicles for violating the ban. Of these, 3,399 were cars. Between January and March 31, 168 cases were booked, according to the police. In 2013, 64,083 cases were reported.
Police say crimes like dacoity, rape, murder, kidnapping and even terrorist attacks were committed using vehicles with tinted films. In addition, sun films and tinted glasses also affect road safety, they said.
“Compared to other cities, we fare better with regard to compliance, and around 80 per cent vehicles have been covered under this rule. Traffic police will be given powers to insist that owners remove the films then and there and then proceed. This is a court order and we have to ensure people follow the rule,” said B Dayananda, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security).
Joint Commissioner of Transport Muniveeregowda said, “Since this is a compoundable offence, vehicle owners are not taking it seriously. The Police Department will enforce the ban strictly and penalise them.”
Businessmen Play it Safe
Owners of car accessories stores across the city say that whenever a customer asks them to put tinted films on vehicle windows, they inform the owner about the Supreme Court guidelines.
A representative from Fast Track Exclusive car accessories stores said, “Sun films that have a visibility of 70 per cent are still available. For `2,000, the films are fixed on the vehicles and at the same time the SC guidelines are explained to them. It is the vehicle owners’ risk. Customers come with such demands frequently.”
Ads on buses
The BMTC, which has a fleet of over 6,500 buses, also uses tinted films in some of its vehicles carrying advertisements. “The BMTC has entered into agreements with advertisers. The term ranges from six months to three years for product display advertisements. As and when the term gets over, the advertisements are removed,” said Jagadeesh, BMTC divisional traffic manager.
LOOKING THROUGH THE GLASS
First-time offenders violating the sun film ban will be fined `100 and repeat offenders Rs 300. The Supreme Court, based on a petition filed by one Avishek Goenka, had ruled that only people with Z and Z+ security may be exempted from the ban. A committee consisting of the DGP or the commissioner of police and the home secretary can allow official cars of VIPs/VVIPs to have tinted glass or sun films.