Of hidden p plates & highly tinted windows
A Ms Ling wrote in to ST forum today, complaining about the inconspicuous display of the P-plate which endangers the lives of the motorist behind the wheel and other drivers. She then went on to highlight the increase in the number of cars with tinted windows, so much so that she can't see the traffic ahead.
I remembered vaguely having read an article in the papers where some official came out to justify the laxing of tinted windows, allowing the back and rear windows to be tinted more than the front. Ms Ling must have missed that article.
Sure, I am one guilty owner of tinted windows, but mine isn't that dark you can't see what's ahead of me if you're right by my ass. If the only reason why cars should not have dark tinted rear windows is because drivers behind can't see what's ahead, then I would say, get over it.
First of all, we were all taught to maintain a safe driving distance from the car ahead, so if that has been religiously followed, I don't see why Ms Ling would have had a near-accident. Moreover, being mentally alert is one condition all drivers ought to possess before they even get behind the wheel, so I don't see why the car in front should be blamed for having tinted windows and unprominent display of the p-plate if the driver behind wasn't paying attention and maintaining a safe driving distance.
Besides, does it really make a difference if the driver in front just got his license or not? Does that determine how far you should maintain the safe car driving distance? Ms Ling's complaint seems to suggest so. It seemed to imply, at least to me, that if she knows you're a p-plate driver, she would be extra cautious, or get out of your ass's way, or perhaps, she might consider flashing you to get you out of the way if you were on the first lane on the highway. But shouldn't all these traits hold regardless of who the front driver is?
Anyway, back to the tinted windows issue. If tinted rear windows should be banned because it doesn't allow the back driver to see what's ahead, then perhaps all Prados and Fortuners should stick to the 3rd lane alongside the lorries, buses and massive trucks. Because if there's anything to complain about, it is the sheer size of these vehicles that completely obliterates the field of vision ahead. All I see is their license plate, and no matter how I try to keep a little more to the right, the vehicle is so high and wide it's the only thing you see. Imagine if you drive a tiny MX5 which is not only much smaller but much lower. It isn't just sports cars with lowered suspension that are dwarfed by the huge SUVs, ordinary saloon cars like the Corollas and Sunnys will face the same comparison. If such SUVs should be allowed to travel on the 1st lane, which is the fast lane, then obviously that is dangerous too because as we know, big vehicles like lorries, pick-ups and buses have to stick to a 60 km/h speed limit for some reason.
So, learn to live with it with vigilance and good driving habits.
I remembered vaguely having read an article in the papers where some official came out to justify the laxing of tinted windows, allowing the back and rear windows to be tinted more than the front. Ms Ling must have missed that article.
Sure, I am one guilty owner of tinted windows, but mine isn't that dark you can't see what's ahead of me if you're right by my ass. If the only reason why cars should not have dark tinted rear windows is because drivers behind can't see what's ahead, then I would say, get over it.
First of all, we were all taught to maintain a safe driving distance from the car ahead, so if that has been religiously followed, I don't see why Ms Ling would have had a near-accident. Moreover, being mentally alert is one condition all drivers ought to possess before they even get behind the wheel, so I don't see why the car in front should be blamed for having tinted windows and unprominent display of the p-plate if the driver behind wasn't paying attention and maintaining a safe driving distance.
Besides, does it really make a difference if the driver in front just got his license or not? Does that determine how far you should maintain the safe car driving distance? Ms Ling's complaint seems to suggest so. It seemed to imply, at least to me, that if she knows you're a p-plate driver, she would be extra cautious, or get out of your ass's way, or perhaps, she might consider flashing you to get you out of the way if you were on the first lane on the highway. But shouldn't all these traits hold regardless of who the front driver is?
Anyway, back to the tinted windows issue. If tinted rear windows should be banned because it doesn't allow the back driver to see what's ahead, then perhaps all Prados and Fortuners should stick to the 3rd lane alongside the lorries, buses and massive trucks. Because if there's anything to complain about, it is the sheer size of these vehicles that completely obliterates the field of vision ahead. All I see is their license plate, and no matter how I try to keep a little more to the right, the vehicle is so high and wide it's the only thing you see. Imagine if you drive a tiny MX5 which is not only much smaller but much lower. It isn't just sports cars with lowered suspension that are dwarfed by the huge SUVs, ordinary saloon cars like the Corollas and Sunnys will face the same comparison. If such SUVs should be allowed to travel on the 1st lane, which is the fast lane, then obviously that is dangerous too because as we know, big vehicles like lorries, pick-ups and buses have to stick to a 60 km/h speed limit for some reason.
So, learn to live with it with vigilance and good driving habits.
posted by Me at 7:50 am
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