UAE residents turning to window tinting to combat summer heat

But are too many residents exceeding the legal limit of 30 per cent window tinting?

Roy Deocampo, SunProtech Supervisor, prepares a vehicle’s window for tinting, in Abu Dhabi. SunProtech is a window-tinting company that add tint and protective film coatings to the surface of high endShow more

ABU DHABI // The hot weather is just fine with the owners of car accessory shops, who say it is a boom time for motorists to buy window tinting.

Khaled Abdullah, 28, who manages a car accessories shop on Hazza bin Zayed Street, said demand for tinting rises at this time of year.

“The weather is extremely hot with temperatures reaching as high as 50°C,” Mr Abdullah said.

“People here own expensive cars so window tinting not only helps to keep the car’s interior cool, but also protects the upholstery and dashboard from discolouration and cracking.”

Earlier this week, Pandian ­Durai, 50, a purchasing manager from India, had the windows of his new Renault Megane tinted.

“When I switch on the AC, it usually takes time to cool,” he said. “I just want to keep my car cool in this scorching heat.”

UAE laws state that car windows may be tinted only up to 30 per cent.

Mr Durai, who has lived and worked in the UAE for 17 years, opted for this level. “That’s the law,” he said. “I don’t want to get into trouble with the police.”

The penalty for exceeding the permitted tint level is a Dh500 fine with the vehicle impounded for 30 days, according to the Ministry of Interior.

The nearby Harakat Auto Accessories on Salam Street was enjoying brisk business, handling four to 10 cars a day since the middle of June. The shop sells tints from 30 to 50 per cent.

“When a customer asks for tints in excess of 30 per cent, we remind them about the law and the risks,” a staff member said. “They have to sign a receipt showing the tint percentage.”

Women prefer to have darker tints to protect themselves from heat and unwanted attention from men. Tints allow them and their families to have some privacy, he said.

Dr Salaheddine Bendak, an associate professor in industrial engineering at University of Sharjah, said limits to the darkness of tinting on car windows should be strictly enforced and there should be more awareness campaigns targeting drivers.

“Drivers of heavily tinted vehicles cannot have a clear view of their environment because the tinted windows impair their ­vision,” he said. “This makes drivers vulnerable to making poor decisions and to crash into pedestrians or other vehicles.”

Tinting shops should also be inspected regularly to ensure they comply with the rules, he said. “Municipality inspectors are generally strict on restaurants,” said Dr Bendak, who has published scientific and research papers on seat-belt use, tyre safety and child restraints.

“So they should be strict on car accessory shops when it comes to supplying window tints over 30 per cent.”