Government staff face stiffer penalty for dark windows

Dubai: Any government department that wants to crack down on its employees for over-tinting of car windshields can contact the police to take action, a senior police official said on Wednesday.

The traffic department had started a campaign to crack down on its employees for the offence to emphasise that no one is above law.

The first phase focused on Dubai Police's General Headquarter and the traffic department's building.

Major Saif Al Mazroui, Acting Deputy Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, told Gulf News if any department, which is facing problems with its employees over tinted glasses, can coordinate with police.

"We will coordinate with them and carry out surprise campaigns at their premises," he said.

Major Al Mazroui said the next phase of the campaign will focus on police stations.

He said the department is working on a schedule to carry out regular campaigns to crack down on the offence of over tinting of car glasses, even among Dubai Police personnel.

Dubai Police had issued tickets to more than 50 police personnel as part of a crackdown on tinting car windows over the 30 per cent permitted limit.

Spot fines

Major Al Mazroui said police used the special gadget that measures the percentage of tinting.

"The offenders were issued spot fines and their vehicles were confiscated," he said.

Major Al Mazroui said being a part of Dubai Police means abiding by its laws, values and plans. He said if an employee is caught violating traffic rules, his punishment will be more than what a civilian gets.

On roads: Strict on punishment

The fine for tinting car glasses over 30 per cent is Dh500 and confiscation of the vehicle.

If the windows were 100 per cent tinted, the car is confiscated for one month. If the windows were tinted more than 30 per cent, but not completely, the car is confiscated for a week.

The confiscation period doubles with the repetition of the offence.