City police crack down on window tinting

By Lethbridge Herald on November 26, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Police Services will be conducting a targeted enforcement project over the next two months on window tinting and is reminding motorists and local auto dealers that tinting the front windshield or front driver and passenger side windows is illegal. 

Sgt. Tony Ramotowski with the Traffic Response Unit, said Tuesday that this targeted enforcement project is taking place as a response to an increase in illegal window tinting and two serious pedestrian collisions, one of them fatal, where illegal tinting was a factor. 

“We had one pedestrian seriously injured and another one lose their life in collisions that may have been prevented had the offending vehicles not had deeply tinted windows that significantly impaired drivers ability to see the pedestrians crossing,” said Ramotowski. 

He said the most recent incident occurred Nov. 8 when a 44-year-old male was struck by an SUV along the 1100 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Calgary.

“The subject vehicle had illegal tint on both front side windows and a heavily tinted windshield. A collision reconstruction determined the illegal tint significantly impaired the driver’s view. particularly in the darkness of night and was a factor in the crash,” said Ramotowski. 

He said a 20-year-old male was charged under the Traffic Safety Act.

“In 2024, following a fatal collision that claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman, a 17-year-old male was also charged with multiple window tint violations,” said Ramotowski. 

He said aftermarket tinting on front side windows and front windshield reduces a drivers ability to see pedestrians, cyclists, older vehicles an obstacles. Especially at night or in poor weather conditions.

“Dark tint also reduces the ability of others to see the driver inside, making eye contact and communications with the pedestrians and other motorists more difficult,” said Ramotowski. 

Illegal tint also creates safety challenges for emergency responders during traffic stops, as dark tint limits police visibility into a vehicle, making it harder to assess potential threats, identify occupants or observe driver’s movements. 

Ramotowski added that some types of window film also alter how glass breaks slow in rescue efforts when rapid extrication is required.

“In limited circumstances, drivers may qualify for a medical exemption to tint front windows, but only specific conditions are eligible, and applications must be submitted and approved by the Government of Alberta,” said Ramotowski. 

LPS is advising motorists with illegal tinted windows to have the tint removed and anyone thinking about tinting their front side windows or windshield to reconsider. 

“Only rear side windows and windshields can legally be tinted, and reflective or mirror tint is prohibited on all vehicle windows,” said Ramotowski. 

He said Lethbridge Police Traffic Response Unit will actively be on a lookout for illegal tint and drivers will be fined. 

“Repeat offenders may have their vehicle license plate and registration seized under the Section 66 of the Traffic Safety Act,” said Ramotowski. “Once the tint is removed, the plate will be returned.” 

He said businesses installing any illegal tint may also face charges and there will be zero tolerance for violations. 

Fines range from $81 to $224 and may require a court appearance. Convictions can impact insurance premiums or claim settlements if tint contributed to a collision.

In 2025 LPS has given out 542 tickets for window tint or glazing, in 2024 they handed out 402 tickets, and in 2023 they handed out 217.