Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 31, 2017 (SKNIS): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has given its support to the enforcement of the law relating to the tinting of vehicles, as outlined in the Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chapter 15.06, which is an Act to make provisions for the registration and licensing of motor vehicles; to make provisions for traffic safety; and to make provision for related or incidental matters.
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, during his monthly press conference on Wednesday, May 31, updated the general public on the illegal tinting of vehicles.
“I want to remind all people, in particular, those in possession of vehicles – the Commissioner had advised that with regard to rental vehicles the law is crystal clear. No tinting, absolutely none would be allowed, so whatever your rental agency please, you should immediately move to remove those tints,” said Prime Minister Harris. “Other vehicles, there is the need for a transmission of light of 35 percent. It is the record, it is the law and so we say, stay within the law. Do not break the law and then quarrel and create further offence.”
Dr. Harris explained that “none compliance with the law on tinting could lead to a fine of EC $5000”. He added that once a motorist is given a traffic ticket for tinting, a fine of EC $150 is paid. However, if convicted in a court of law, he or she will have to pay the EC $5000 and / or imprisonment of six months.
“So let us not chance it…let us do what the law requires that we do. I want to appeal to all to comply with the law. Let good sense prevail and let the intelligence-led policing policy guide the policy framework,” he said.
Prime Minister Harris said that there will be no exception to rule.
“The Cabinet has determined there will be no exception to the rule. All must comply and unless the Police High Command was to make a very persuasive case in the context of national security the law will be enforced and should be enforced,” said the minister of national security, while adding that law enforcement officers who had their vehicles tinted beyond the norm, including the Commissioner of Police, Ian Queeley, had their tints removed. “Therefore, it means that no one of any lesser rank should expect that there would be exemption in relation to that matter.”