Date: Mon, 22 Jun 1998 10:43:50 -0400
Reply-To: scharff@ENG.KNS.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Gregg Scharff <scharff@ENG.KNS.COM>
Subject: Re: Smoked Tailights Interested??
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
vwmaster@VOLKS-MOTORSPORTS.COM wrote:
>
> Listees,
>
> In our area there is a FAD going on. Smoked Tailights.
Kyle and listees,
Sorry, this got a little long-winded...
My intention here is not to ruin an attempt to generate some business.
Tinting of any piece of lighted automotive equipment is not legal in
all states. It is generally allowed as "off road equipment". All should
be careful to PERMANENTLY darken or tint headlights, tailights, and/or
license plates (smoked plexiglass covers), as this reduces your ability
to see or be seen. If aftermarket modifications are permanent and you
happen to be stopped by the police (if tinted modifications are illegal
in your state), he can render your vehicle inoperaple and forbid you to
drive it, forcing you to a cab ride home. If they are removable tinted
covers you can at least remove them and be on your way.
I am not a fan of any of the tinted add-ons. They not only lessen your
ability to see at night and in poor conditions, but your ability to be
seen. In a dense fog, a slow moving Vanagon needs all the help it can
get to be seen up ahead. You West-coasters should be familiar with dense
fog conditions. Some of those 20 car pile ups (fog related) we here
about from time to time could have benefitted from even "better than
stock" tailights or headlights.
Even worse than tinted lights are the tinted or even clear license
plate protectors. Try reading a uncovered license plate as it speeds
down the street and you will find it difficult to read at a distance of
15 feet. Put a tinted cover on it and it is nearly impossible to read.
This may not seem important, but read on, especially all of you with
children. If anyone you know is ever hit by a car maybe even a child
(god forbid!) and a witness has even a fleeting chance of reading the
plate of the car as it speeds away, a tinted plate cover (as cool as it
looks!!!) stands between you and identifying the car. Even a nontinted
plate cover can foil the reading of a plate, as they can cloud over
after years of exposure to sunlight, or create a glare.
I apologize for this ranting I have just put all of you through. I
would like to state that I am not some paranoid old complainer working
for "big brother". I am 34 yrs old and I believe in everyones right to
privacy or customization of his or her own vehicle. I believe we should
all act responsibly towards one another when we feed our own personal
needs. Tinted auto accessories do look way cool, but lets not forget
there is a price on everything. I usually place Vanagon owners as those
who don't place vanity over good smart, safe, common sense.
Thank you for your time.
Gregg (Conshohocken, Pa.)
'85 Westy
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