In a bid to enhance public safety and transparency, Lawyer Jomo Thomas has proposed a total ban on tinted windows for all rental vehicles.
Thomas argued that no rental vehicle should have any tint and that every vehicle in the country should have clear front windows so that the driver can be easily identified.
He dismissed concerns about privacy, stating that there is no expectation of privacy when one is in a public place on a public road. Thomas noted that in many international jurisdictions, such as the United States, heavy tints are illegal, and manufacturers typically provide light tints mainly for glare protection.
To discourage the use of dark tints, he suggested implementing high fees, perhaps as much as $20,000, similar to the environmental fees paid for older vehicles or the high insurance requirements for dangerous dogs in Grenada.
He shared his personal experience of driving a tinted rental in the rain, noting that it severely impairs visibility and safety.
Thomas believes these measures, though potentially unpopular, are necessary steps if the authorities are serious about tracking criminals who use rental cars as escape vehicles.
Thomas also has recommended that the police force take full responsibility for issuing all vehicle number plates in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Currently, citizens can purchase number plates from various private businesses, which Thomas claims leads to inconsistencies and issues with compliance on the road. He argued that the technology required for the police to issue plates is not complex and that the fees currently paid to private businesses should instead be directed to the police force.
Thomas pointed to the system in Trinidad, where the licensing office issues all plates to ensure they are standardised across all types of vehicles. By centralising the issuance of plates, Thomas believes the police would have better documentation and control, making it easier to narrow down and identify vehicles used in the commission of crimes.
