House demands tinting study from DPS
The 14th House of Representatives is demanding a copy of a purported study that the Department of Public Safety had cited Friday in blaming the rising number of car accidents in the Commonwealth on the tinted windows of cars.
Rep. Clyde Norita, in a media briefing, urged the DPS to submit a copy of the purported report that was cited by Commissioner Edward Camacho in disclosing plans to ban the use of tint on vehicles to decrease the number of traffic accidents.
Camacho had said in the earlier interview that he is working with the Legislature to have the tints removed from CNMI vehicles due to the limited visibility afforded drivers.
According to Norita, however, the measure, which was introduced by Rep. Benjamin Seman, only seeks to regulate the percentage of tint grade in car windows. He said it is still being reviewed by the House Judicial and Governmental Operations committee.
“I was surprised that there is statistics on accidents caused by tints. If there is a study, we want a copy of that, particularly if it is a factor in accidents. I want to know also, what is this federal law that requires CNMI or any state to comply with this ‘federal tinting law,’” said Norita.
Prior to his stint at the House of Representatives, Norita served at the DPS Office of Grants and Federal Programs.
Norita expressed surprised about this purported federal law that bans the tint use in all vehicles. He said there is no such federal law but if he is mistaken, he urges Camacho to immediately send a copy of that law and the tinting study it cited, particularly since the House is reviewing a tint bill that hopes to protect law enforcers doing routine and patrol check ups even in the middle of the night.
“That measure is to regulate the tint grade on all vehicles. It is for the safety and survival of all law enforcers who are doing traffic stops and inspections. It is for their lives and safety,” said Norita.
He pointed out that review is still ongoing and the JGO is still verifying the tint grade requirement under the law. The House is expected to pass the bill in the next two weeks, he added.
On Thursday, commissioner Camacho disclosed plans to strictly implement the tint measure to comply with federal laws.
“We receive federal money to fix our highways and to enforce the laws on our streets, and one of the requirement is for us to comply with federal law that says no tint. Only the factory-made tints on vehicles are to be allowed and nothing more,” he said.
