IMPOSING a hefty fine for illegal tint, while there is still no clear cut law to determine what exactly a legal limit is, is illegal, the Trinidad and Tobago Automobile Association (TTAA) has said.

The TTAA made the statement yesterday in a release sent by its secretary Albertha Edwards.

’There must be a standard level or density stated within our Constitution which allows all parties to be fully aware of what is legally acceptable... Imposing a $2,000 fine based on a law that is not specific almost seems lawless in itself,’ the release said.

During Monday’s budget presentation, Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira stated Government’s intention to raise the fine for motorists with illegal tint on their vehicles from $200 to $2,000.

According to Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 48.50 Section 23 (d) and (e): no window of any motor vehicle should be fitted with glass that is tinted ’as to obscure the view of the inside of the vehicle from the outside’.

However, in this section of the act, which is usually quoted by transport officials, the ’exact legal level of obscurity’ is not explained, the release said.

’In other words, citizens depend entirely on the mercy and vision of officers who are not guided by a precise measurement,’ the release said.

’It is time that the law regarding tint becomes clarified ...One can only be held accountable when a set guideline is disobeyed. As it stands today, law officials ascertain by use of their personal opinions what is legal or not,’ the release said.

’Law officials must also be provided with a device which measures tint density; much like the long awaited Breathalyser does for alcohol and road meters do to record drivers, driving over the speed limit.’