Interpretation ID: nht90-1.87

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 03/28/90

FROM: ROBERT W. GENZMAN -- US ATTORNEY FOR MIDDLE DISTRICT FLORIDA; DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 06/25/90, FROM PAUL JACKSON RICE -- NHTSA TO LAWRENCE J. SMITH -- CONGRESS; A35; VSA 108 [A] [2] [A]; STANDARD 205; LETTER DATED 05/30/90 FROM NANCY L. BRUCE -- DOT TO LAWRENCE J. SMITH -- CONGRESS; LETTER DATED 05/25/9 0 FROM LAWRENCE J. SMITH -- CONGRESS TO NANCY BRUCE -- DOT; NEWSPAPER ARTICLE; UNDATED BY UPI; US SUES 4 AUTO TINTING SHOPS; OCC 4842 NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DATED 03/30/90; BY STEVE MOORE -- BUSINESS MARKETS; LOCAL CRAFTSMAN UNSWAYED BY FEDERAL CIVIL LAWSUITS ; NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DATED 03/29/90 BY BRUCE VIELMETTI -- ST PETERSBURG TIMES; US CRACKS DOWN ON WINDOW TINTERS; NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DATED 03/29/90 FROM JIM LEUSNER -- ORLANDO SENTINEL; US SUES CAR-WINDOW TINTERS - LET THERE BE MORE LIGHT; 1984 FLORIDA AUTO TINT LAW

TEXT: Robert W. Genzman, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, in conjunction with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., announced today the filing of civil lawsuits charging six Florida corporations with violations of federal safety standards. The civil complaints allege that the named corporations installed tinted products on windows of motor vehicles in such a manner that less light was transmitted through the windows than federal safety standards permit.

Named as defendants in the Orlando Division of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida are Blue Skies Projects, Inc., d/b/a Flying Window Tinters, of Orlando, and Shakespearin, Inc. of Holly Hill. Seminole Solar Systems, In c. of Largo; Allied Glass Tint, Inc. of Tampa, 3801, Inc., d/b/a Window Kote, and Solar Graphics, Inc., of St. Petersburg, were named as defendants in the Tampa Division or the Middle District of Florida.

Under National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Acts standards, automobile glass must transmit at least 70 percent light through their surfaces. The civil complaints allege that the named defendants applied coated materials to the windows of motor vehicles in an amount resulting in transmission of light less than that permitted by the standard.

Mr. Genzman stated that the applicable federal standards were imposed to establish minimum visibility standards and to prevent accidents. The civil complaints seek to enjoin violation of the Act, and to impose $ 800,000.00 in civil penalties.