Sunscreen test begins

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The writing is there on the windscreen for vehicle owners — remove dark tinted films or face legal action.

Chennai Police issued a press release Thursday asking all vehicle owners to remove sunscreen films from windshields immediately. The release cited a recent Supreme Court order banning dark tinted glasses.

“I have already removed sunscreen film from my vehicle. I think everybody, be it IAS or IPS officers, ministers and politicians, will have to remove dark films unless they face a specific security threat,” said Sanjay Arora, additional commissioner of police, traffic.

When pointed out removing sunscreens at the peak of summer might inconvenience people, a senior police officer said they were only implementing SC order.

SC has ordered car manufacturers to install front and rear glasses with 70 per cent visual light transmission (VLT) and side glasses with 40 per cent VLT. No dark film can be used as per the order that came into force on May 4.

Traffic police in Chennai urged vehicle owners to remove dark films at once. “City traffic police will enforce the SC order.

Officers will fine vehicles violating the norm and also remove dark films. The fine will be Rs 100 for first offence and Rs 300 for second,” the release said.