Some Motorists Left Frustrated, Ticketed After LHSC Safety Checkpoint in Lafayette Parish
When it comes to illegal tint, it's not usually considered a super serious crime, but it's still breaking the law.
The seriousness of the offense can depend on where you are and the specific rules they have about window tinting. Different places have different limits on how dark your tint can be.
Some local motorists were frustrated over a reported "tint checkpoint" in Broussard on Friday (May 26). We checked in with local law enforcement and determined that the checkpoint was actually organized by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC). Louisiana State Police Spokesperson Thomas Gossen confirmed the Occupant Protection stationary detail took place from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. along LA 89-1 (Youngsville Hwy.).
Louisiana State Police Troop I, Lafayette Police Dept., Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office, Broussard Police Dept., Youngsville Police Dept., and Louisiana Child Passenger Safety Task Force conducted an Occupant Protection stationary enforcement detail on LA 89-1 (316 Youngsville Hwy) from 0900 hours until 1100 hours.
Gossen said that 240 vehicles were screened during the detail with the following enforcement actions taken:
- No Seatbelt- 33
- No Child Restraint- 6
- MVI Violations- 3
- Window Tint- 2
- Vehicle Registration- 2
- Driver's License- 2
- Insurance Violations- 2
- Child Safety Seat Checks- 10
- Child Seats Given Away- 7
While the primary focus of the checkpoint was occupant protection, motorists were cited for violations like illegal tint and expressed their frustrations on social media.
One video (below) from the safety checkpoint has been shared nearly 1,000 times with many asking if officers had "nothing better to do" and others wondering why law enforcement wasn't focused more on some of the serious crimes in the area.
Of course, serious crime being an issue in any given town or city doesn't mean that less serious crimes don't warrant punishment; so if you get caught with illegal tint in Louisiana, you'll likely end up with a ticket or fine. The consequences can vary depending on where you are, but it's generally not something that will land you in jail or anything like that.
According to one motorist who was ticketed during the checkpoint, he's facing a fine of about $250 for being just below the legal darkness for the tint on his truck. There were also some who say they were ticketed but weren't even aware that their tint was illegal due to purchasing a used vehicle that was already tinted by the previous owner.
One local man allegedly asked if he could remove his tint on site to avoid a fine and was informed that removing tint on site was no longer an option because the glue left behind can be an even bigger safety hazard when it comes to visibility.
Those who were ticketed for illegal tint were advised to replace it with something that meets the legal requirements.
Keep in mind, I'm not a legal expert, so it's always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations in your area. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to modifying your vehicle.