§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has received about possible road safety dangers arising from the use of tinted windscreens in motor vehicles; and whether he is considering a ban on the use of such windscreens.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThere is no recent evidence that impaired vision due to tinted windscreens is a contributory cause of accidents, but there were cases in the early 1970s of cars with excessively tinted glass being involved in accidents.
All but a very modest tinting of windscreens has been banned for some years. Since 1977 the windscreen glass in a defined area covering the principal field of view has had to satisfy a minimum light transmission factor of 70 per cent.; from 1984 this will be increased to 75 per cent. Clear glass corresponds to a light transmission factor of about 80 per cent. and I consider the very small amount of tinting which will be permitted acceptable, given that the glass does not scratch readily and that wipers are always available in wet conditions.