PETALING JAYA: While some lauded the move, many ordinary Malaysians are against the new regulations that allow motorists to have their rear windshields and passenger windows tinted as dark as they want.
They took to social media to express their concerns on road safety and crime, while some even urged the government to “think of the children”.
“Kidnappings, especially of children, will be rampant. The rear (windshield) should not be fully tinted,” said Sandy Gov.
Raymond Wong also expressed concerns about children left alone in cars.
“There will be less opportunity for rescue if something happens,” he argued.
Others were concerned about road safety.
“With the increased number of SUVs, it’s very hard to see what’s further up in front or if we are approaching a standstill jam,” said Datsun Kuan on The Star’s Facebook page.
He was referring to the fact that drivers need to see beyond the rear windshield of the car in front of them to correctly judge traffic patterns.
“It’s already bad enough nowadays when you try reversing out in some parking lot when the car next to you has dark windows (in tall 4WDs/MPVs).
“Not being able to see oncoming cars while reversing is really dangerous, yet now it is being legalised?” noted David Palash.
Meanwhile, Lillian Yang had a pertinent point: “It kind of defeats the purpose of a third brake light. You won’t be able to see it on the cars in front of you.”
The responses were mirrored on Twitter.
“It is not too good for a cyclist like me – it would not be possible to see and read the intentions of drivers behind such heavily tinted screens, and it is thus dangerous,” tweeted @HerbWongMY.
Many were also deeply concerned that the new policy would allow more criminal activities to take place, such as car thefts and kidnappings.
Facebook user Chua Teck Boon said, “Criminals will take advantage and drive their stolen (vehicles) to commit crimes!”
However, some Malaysians got fully behind the new ruling, mainly because of the climate here.
One tweet read, “Good, because it’s really hot here in Malaysia,” while another Malaysian said it was a “good move (as) it does not compromise any public safety since only the rear parts are tinted”.
Meanwhile, even the police force are viewing the new car window tinting policy with mixed response.
While the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department lauded the move, head office thinks it's a mistake.
Bukit Aman traffic chief Azisman Alias was quoted by Harian Metro on Tuesday as saying that the new ruling would hamper enforcement. Police would not be able to see who is seated at the back, he said, adding that the government had not asked for police views when formulating the policy.
Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Asst Comm Zulkefly Yahya said the revision to the existing regulations could help prevent car break-ins.
“Thieves will not be able to easily spot items on the back seat and may think twice before breaking into vehicles,” he said.
However, this works both ways. Criminals could take advantage by using such cars to move around stealthily. “They might hide in the back seat in an attempt to be elusive,” said Selangor traffic chief Supt Azman Shari’at.
ACP Zulkefly said a darkened rear windscreen would also help prevent drivers from being blinded by the bluish-white headlights or high beams from the rear.
