Smoked Taillights?

[tesla317]

Apples to oranges.

A light tint, or light smoke will be a miniscule amount of difference, such as a 87% tint. The red in the taillight is still very visible during the day as well. Definitely not the black, "murdered out" look.

I can't say the same for a dark smoke, such as 67%. Losing over 30% of your light. This is pretty dark. They actually have static cling on covers that are nearly 100% black. Must be removed at night.....bad option all around IMO.

I have 20% tint on my windows, and I can see out perfectly fine, even at night. However, ive been in many vehicles with illegal 5% window tint, and it's near impossible to see out of at night. so for so many to say it's going to cause nothing but problems....i disagree.

Yes, with a very dark tint I would agree with them to an extent, but a light tint will be perfectly fine. I have a 2010 sedan and it's on my to do list, probably my headlights too! very light of course, and will be a protective film so it will.have dual purposes.

OP, what brand of film did you use? And what method did you use to apply, Dry or wet?

[mycologist]

So is it true that in an accident if you are rear ended and have smoked or darkness-modified taillights you would be at fault? I.e. you go from getting a new car with their insurance and get a free ride to the hospital and compensation for suffering to being the one taking the insurance hit and being personally liable for the guy that hit you?

If so, you guys make life choices in an extremely questionable fashion.

[zax]

[QUOTE=mycologist;2936605]So is it true that in an accident if you are rear ended and have smoked or darkness-modified taillights you would be at fault?/QUOTE]

It is true. There have been documented cases.

[gregroot198521]

So is it true that in an accident if you are rear ended and have smoked or darkness-modified taillights you would be at fault? I.e. you go from getting a new car with their insurance and get a free ride to the hospital and compensation for suffering to being the one taking the insurance hit and being personally liable for the guy that hit you?

If so, you guys make life choices in an extremely questionable fashion.

That's how I've understood it, and if its not that way it is, I'd be severely (more) disappointed in the insurance system.

[Calvinball]

That's how I've understood it, and if its not that way it is, I'd be severely (more) disappointed in the insurance system.

+1. I would hope they would take that into account, just as they do not having headlights on when needed, or blown headlights, or being on the cell phone, etc.

[xFalleNx]

So is it true that in an accident if you are rear ended and have smoked or darkness-modified taillights you would be at fault?

It is true. There have been documented cases.

this^

I wasn't saying it just to be an ass. As Zach said, there have been many documented cases of that happening.

[zax]

this^

I wasn't saying it just to be an ass. As Zach said, there have been many documented cases of that happening.

DISCLAIMER! I have not seen this in the case of a Subaru with 30-40% tint. The only documented cases I've explicitly found have been slammed Hondas with 5% tint on the tail lights. From personal experience in the area, given the way some of these guys drive, I wouldn't be surprised if their driving was somewhat the cause of the accidents. Still, I would not tempt fate. It is illegal.

[Rambo]

I'm going to talk to my uncle, a state police officer, and my insurance agent. I'm sure between the two of them, they could come up with an instance where tinted lights caused an accident, and who would be at fault.

[zax]

I'm going to talk to my uncle, a state police officer, and my insurance agent. I'm sure between the two of them, they could come up with an instance where tinted lights caused an accident, and who would be at fault.

Whether or not the tinted tail lights actually caused the accident is irrelevant. It's difficult to prove that the driver of the following car was not paying any attention, but quite simple to prove that the driver of the leading car tinted his tail lights. Even if the lights are not the cause, fault can still be ruled in favor of the following car and against the leading car in a rear-end incident.

[Rambo]

Whether or not the tinted tail lights actually caused the accident is irrelevant. It's difficult to prove that the driver of the following car was not paying any attention, but quite simple to prove that the driver of the leading car tinted his tail lights. Even if the lights are not the cause, fault can still be ruled in favor of the following car and against the leading car in a rear-end incident.

I know, but I'm trying to lend credibility to your statement that "There have been documented cases" of this happening. I'm sure it has, but I have a feeling none of these guys will be convinced it's a real danger until they see the aftermath...

[MainFrame]

Whether or not the tinted tail lights actually caused the accident is irrelevant. It's difficult to prove that the driver of the following car was not paying any attention, but quite simple to prove that the driver of the leading car tinted his tail lights. Even if the lights are not the cause, fault can still be ruled in favor of the following car and against the leading car in a rear-end incident.

Right, this alone should be more than enough reason to dissuade anyone from tinting their taillights. It doesn't matter if you think your brake lights are visible or not, if someone hits you they basically have a solid scapegoat to get out of any fault, in turn making the accident your fault in the eyes of the insurance company whether it was or not.

[teddy37]

Spray on night shades from advanced works well and you can use as many coats as you want to adjust the darkness. Just remember lighter is better than to dark. If you go this route I would recommend getting brighter bulbs just to be safe. My taillights are pretty dark but with the brighter bulbs you know when Im stopping.

[RayfieldsWRX]

This morning, in my WRX, a distracted driver nearly rear-ended me at a stop sign. Increase the odds of him missing my tail lights by darkening the plastic? Not a choice I would make, however awesome it looks to others. I've been in some nasty accidents in my life. I'll take whatever steps I can to avoid them in the future.

[Mikie13]

I've had numerous near-misses with folks that have tinted tails. Most recent was a couple months ago by this retarded HS chick driving like an asshat in a Scion TC. Had an intermediately smoked tail setup so it wasn't that dark...but I couldn't see the lights when she stepped on the brakes! On top of that, her 3rd brake light also was out!!!

While yes, I do actually like the look of smoked out tails, it is not something at this point that I would do, or support simply cause of the safety aspect.

[Calvinball]

I've had numerous near-misses with folks that have tinted tails. Most recent was a couple months ago by this retarded HS chick driving like an asshat in a Scion TC. Had an intermediately smoked tail setup so it wasn't that dark...but I couldn't see the lights when she stepped on the brakes! On top of that, her 3rd brake light also was out!!!

While yes, I do actually like the look of smoked out tails, it is not something at this point that I would do, or support simply cause of the safety aspect.

And we all know that you support safe wrecks.