So ...

Thursday afternoon I was driving in front of Autzen Stadium (UO football stadium) heading to I-5 to go up to Seattle for the weekend. I am cruising at 40, the speed limit, and a motorcycle cop pulls behind me and puts his lights on. I assumed he wanted to get by so I moved over. He followed me. So I pulled over. He parks his bike, gets off and walks up to my car. Says he pulled me over for three reasons: 1. no front plate (I knew that that was illegal but hate how they look on and was willing to risk it), 2. illegal cover over rear license plate (didn't know these were illegal, it's SLIGHTLY tinted and doesn't reduce legibility one bit) and 3. tint is too dark. He took my license and proof of insurance and went back to his bike. He came back a min or so later and said that he would give me a warning for the no front plate (potential $90 ticket), warning for the rear license plate cover (bought at AutoZone, potential $237 ticket!!) but ticketed me for the illegal tint (which he tested to be 13%, I purchased 20% but more to come on this later, $237 ticket). He told me that if I go to court the ticket will be reduced to $80 but I will have to fix all three things. I'll take the rear plate cover off and put my front plate back on (errr) but I don't know what to do about the tint. I don't know if it's worth risking driving around with it on as is or if I should just get it done at the legal limit. I purchased 20% tint originally but a friend told me that most cars come from the factory with 5%-7% tint (I think I may have this backwards) so that would explain the 13% tint (20%-7%). This is my first ticket in five years!! I was NEVER pulled over in my S2000. I know there has been a thread similar to this when Larry got his ticket for no front plate, but I still feel kinda of irritated considering I was driving very safely and get pulled over for three BS reasons and get a ticket. Yes I admit that TECHNICALLY I was breaking the law but I have a squeaky clean criminal record and never harm anyone. It just seems like they should have something better to do rather than ticket me for tinted windows.

That's my rant ...

Oh and his name was Officer "Rager". Needless to say this ticket won't be giving me a rager ...

 

Ouch! I feel your pain!

I agree the missing front plate is a bummer. The car looks so much better without it. Since my ticket, I have left it on. It just isn't worth giving them a reason to stop me. It was a "fix-it ticket", so after putting the plate back on, I supplied the court with a photo of it in place. The fine was reduced to $70. But, now I'm on record with the court that it is in place. If I were to remove it and got caught again, then they wouldn't buy the fix-it thing again.

Amy also got a ticket for having a tinted rear license cover. A lot of people are trying to thwart the photo-radar cameras by making it difficult to read the plate. None of them work particulary well, but the police are "sensitive" about this one.

And then there is the tinting. Oregon police have a tester to check the tint percentage. The lower the number, the less light is allowed through. So, a 5% tint is the "limo tint" and very dark. The legal limit in Oreogn and Washington is 35% (so 65% of the light is blocked). Details: Here

I was reading in another car forum that the police in Eugene are very tough on this. The fine is $175 per window! It doesnt' matter if you have a letter from your installer saying it is "legal" or not. If it doesn't pass, it doesn't pass.

As you've found out, all three of these are "fix-it" items (although you still have to pay a fine). Getting rid of the license cover is no big deal. And, life goes on if you have to have your front plate in place. But, its no fun to remove your nice new tint job and have it done over to legal specs. However if you don't, that same cop (or another one) will get you later.

Don't take it personally, David. It is not a reflection on your character. It is just about your car.

Sorry to hear they "got you"!

Larry

 

I actually saw the Mythbusters over the weekend where they "busted" the myth that those things actually worked. They tested about four of five different types of products too.

 

Yes...it sucked that I got stopped for that. I explained that I bought it at a local store, and why would they sell it if they are illegal, but the cop didn't care. He says it's not illegal to sell things that are illegal to put on your car...so I asked why they didn't sell weed in the grocery store if I promise not to smoke it...he didn't find it very funny.

I really do need to stop being such a "smartass", one of these days it's going to get me in trouble. But then again...it's better than being a "dumbass".

 

That sucks man, i got pulled over in my lexus when i first bought it for the tint probably because I had no plates. Drove it for over a year now and nothing since.

 

[QUOTE=mysilvers2k,Mar 10 2008, 10:24 AM] Yes...it sucked that I got stopped for that.

 

lol nice one on the weed comment.

i got a ticket back in jan for no front plate. 75 bucks.. didnt get it dropped. ghey.

btw you live in eugene? im down in sutherlin, near roseburg

 

It really is just like gambling. I think it all depends on the cop, his mood and what he's currently doing.

 

Well I'm getting my windows retinted to 35%. $350 and 10 hours. Ouch. Front plate is back on and rear plate cover is off.

 

Good boy