Privacy Glass in cars

[Ian HewsonParticipant @ianhewson99641]

Whilst I do not leave items in plain view, I would break in to a car with items on display, easier pickings.

Ian

[RMAParticipant @rma]

Posted by Keith Wyles on 13/12/2022 14:00:01:

Many people have claimed that security glass is more secure for anything left in the back, but is their empirical evidence for this or is it just a salesman's sale gimmick? My gut feeling would be the opposite, vans often have signs saying no tools left inside feeling that they are vulnerable from attack. Wouldn't criminals be more likely to break into a more expensive looking car on the offchance of it having something expensive inside? I always leave valuables in the boot, but as there seems to be a general believe that its ok to leave things in the back of a blacked out car, if I was a criminal these would be my target.

I don't think there is a general belief that it's OK to leave valuables in the back of a car with tinted windows, and that's what they are 'tinted' not blacked out. However, anyone can forget they left something for whatever reason, and the lack of visibility from the outside is a bonus. I really don't get the point of this thread. These windows are not just on the expensive brands, so it can't be the usual jealousy.

[Anonymous]

Posted by RMA on 13/12/2022 14:52:28: I really don't get the point of this thread. These windows are not just on the expensive brands, so it can't be the usual jealousy.

Exactly, it's just another pointless "Victor Meldrew" thread, highlighting and complaining of problems that don't really exist.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

The police advice seems to be don’t leave items on display in your vehicle, as criminals usually don’t bother smashing into cars just on spec then I expect they don’t bother if nothing can be seen, if they took the approach that privacy glass must be hiding something then they would be very busy with little reward. I would always put a laptop or similar high value portable item in the boot but as my jacket will be just a jacket with no phone or wallet then I will risk it in the footwell with dark windows, I doubt there is much demand for a second hand jacket for a fat bloke.

Mike

[File HandleParticipant @filehandle]

Lorries will leave their back door or curtain sides open when parked up empty, to stop criminal damage to an empty lorry. Vans often need to security of extra door locks. If all a criminal can see is empty cars or blacked out cars doesn't it make it more likely that they might be broken into? Just curious if their is evidence either way?

[Tom SheppardParticipant @tomsheppard60052]

You've all missed the point completely.

Privacy glass is fitted so that the little darlings don't have to suffer the traumatic social stigma of being seen by their peers, travelling in a Ford Fiesta. That is why it is a standard fit on the type.

[Peter Cook 6Participant @petercook6]

The only thing I watch for, through the vehicle in front, is the brake lights or indicators of the ones further forward. I don't find privacy glass obscures them significantly especially if the car in front is driving so close to the one in front of them that I can't see the lights directly. Cyclists, pedestrians, deer, pheasants etc I infer from the deviations (swerves!) of the vehicles further forward, and I see them down the outside of the one in front.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

It depends what the measure of a good driver is, I shall not be troubling Lewis Hamilton on a gp track but I hope my roadcraft and patience will keep me out of trouble. I always said if you can survive until you are 25 on a motorcycle you may be in with a chance of making a safe motorcyclist but that got turned around by middle aged gents buying fireblades and R1s and killing themselves, a bit more of a handful than old Bonnies and commandos which were probably the last thing they rode. Is this guy insane, a brilliant rider or just luckyGhost Rider 2022

Mike

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 13/12/2022 09:10:08:

Posted by Pete. on 12/12/2022 23:07:13:

[…]

Edit, I was looking for a measurement of distance? As safety is clearly subjective given the driving behaviour I witness nearly every time I go anywhere in my car, clearly people have very different ideas about what is safe.

.

Long time ago, when I did the ROSPA advanced driving course, the easy answer to that was “Two Seconds”

… There was even a ‘mantra’ at the time: Intended to drum it Into people:

”Only a fool breaks the two-second rule”

Do the sums, and you will see close correspondence with the multitude of “stopping distances”

… it still works for me [except, of course, when somebody dives into that massive gap]

MichaelG.

Most people seem incapable of leaving a safe distance in front of themselves, when they see someone driving a safe distance they assume you've left space for them to cut in, bring on semi autonomous vehicles that have sensors blocking drivers from cutting in where there isn't space or driving too close to the car in front.

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

When I can't see through the vehicle in front, I do pull back a shade. Vans, lorries, caravans and buses make it advisable to drop back a bit; they all make it difficult to see trouble ahead – such as a car in front of them doing an emergency stop.

It's about time rather than distance. Human reaction time varies from about 100mS to 500mS or more. It gets slower with age, so beware pensioners who imagine they have the same reactions they had as a teenager; they don't. Interestingly, the fastest reaction times are achieved by boys in their early teens, and it's not maintained after age 20. After about 35, the deterioration becomes marked, and it's one of the fitness issues that finishes sporting careers.

Anyway, assuming the driver reacts within 333ms, and is in a line travelling at 30 metres per second (nearly 70mph), how much is notice is needed to stop safely?

333mS is 10 metres, so that's too close – the driver hits the brakes at the moment he ploughs into the wreck. In this time-frame the driver doesn't alter the outcome at all. His fate depends on how much energy is absorbed by the vehicle crumpling, how fast the airbag deploys, how effective the seat belt is in an extreme collision, and if the vehicle is struck by whatever is behind. Being seriously rear-ended is more likely if tinted windows prevent the driver behind reacting quickly.

666mS is 20 metres, which is still too close. Nothing happens for 10 metres and then the brakes go on. They have to stop the vehicle within 10metres, which is unlikely even if the tyres don't skid and the driver applies them optimally, and he doesn't have time to think.

A full second gives the vehicle 30 metres of stopping space, which is much better. Even so, the probability is the car will still be doing 20 or 30mph at impact. Although the driver might still end up in a meat sandwich due to being rear-ended, his chances of escaping serious injury are good.

Allowing two full seconds gives 60 metres of stopping space, which seems to prevent most accidents, especially as dead-stop emergencies are rare. We usually get more time to react.

I was taught to leave a 4 second gap between me and the vehicle in front. An over-cautious allowance when I was young, it makes more sense now my concentration isn't so good. Anyone else find driving at night unusually tiring? If so, allow a bigger gap. Same if distracted. Having a row with the wife, getting lost, dying for a pee, drunk, ill, tired, using a hone, or being unwell all play havoc with reaction times.

Statistically half of those reading this post are below average drivers. Anyone apart from me prepared to admit it? All my friends and colleagues consider themselves good drivers, including one who totted up enough points to be disqualified, and another who spent 3 months in hospital recovering from 'polytrauma' after a head-on crash due to him doing 80mph on the wrong side of the road.

Though I'd describe tinted windows as 'mostly harmless', I don't see much need for them apart from undertakers Private Ambulances. I suppose others might see them as a mildly anti-social selfish affectation, probably driven by a big-headed numpty proclaiming he's "special". Tinted glass wouldn't stop me buying a decent second-hand car though.

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 13/12/2022 10:11:07

I'm indifferent on tinted windows, my car has them but only because the previous owner had it done, rear 3 windows on a hatchback done in a very dark tint and front light, it does hinder the ability to reverse at night time, I wouldn't bother doing it myself but it's already there so I just leave it, I must admit I do like the privacy in slow moving traffic but earlier today while driving I did think about what people had said and maybe there is a point to be said about seeing the car in front of the car fronts brake lights, but only in slow moving traffic.

When actually driving I tried looking through through the car in fronts windscreen driving at 40mph about 20 car lengths behind them which is what I deemed safe for that road at that time, and my vision isn't good enough to see anything of value from that distance through their window, the approach I generally use is as you say just gently put the brakes on to put a bit of distance between my car and the car in front, then continue at your previous speed.

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

Posted by Keith Wyles on 13/12/2022 17:08:10:

Lorries will leave their back door or curtain sides open when parked up empty, to stop criminal damage to an empty lorry. Vans often need to security of extra door locks. If all a criminal can see is empty cars or blacked out cars doesn't it make it more likely that they might be broken into? Just curious if their is evidence either way?

I parked up near the city centre of Leicester last year and witnessed two men brazenly walking car to car putting their face to a car window with their hands cupped around their eyes to see better, they were walking car to car without a care in the world so I believe they do look for something to steal before smashing your window, not living in an area like that is probably a much better option than tinted windows.

[Justin ThymeParticipant @justinthyme24678]

Posted by Tom Sheppard on 13/12/2022 17:22:11:

You've all missed the point completely.

Privacy glass is fitted so that the little darlings don't have to suffer the traumatic social stigma of being seen by their peers, travelling in a Ford Fiesta. That is why it is a standard fit on the type.

It is also useful for not exposing them to too much daylight (something youngsters can't tolerate these days) bright light can spoil their social media screen time. I'm sure many drivers would like all round tints so as they too can concentrate better on their mobile phones.

[Justin ThymeParticipant @justinthyme24678]

Posted by Samsaranda on 08/12/2022 19:42:09:

Have had two cars now with tinted rear windows my personal taste is I don’t like them and think they make the car look slightly ridiculous, unfortunately we have no choice now as they come as standard, something that manufacturers think we crave. Dave W

Indeed car manufacturers are increasing adding technology and functionality that I don't want, i really do detest new cars with a passion. I have access to a new state of the art merc and my old ex works 06 plate van and most if not all of the time I prefer my van. Just simple stuff like heating, the van has the traditional 3 dials, fan, how hot and direction. Probably need to be a trained astronaut to figure out the nonsense in the car, (and at least I don't get cold feet drivng the van)

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Tom Sheppard on 13/12/2022 17:22:11:

You've all missed the point completely.

Privacy glass is fitted so that the little darlings don't have to suffer the traumatic social stigma of being seen by their peers, travelling in a Ford Fiesta. That is why it is a standard fit on the type.

While I agree with the sentiment, having had several 'run out' models over the years, all with 'unusual' standard features I suspect the reason for being a standard fitment in this particular case is that as it ended production Ford made certain that stocks of parts for the Fiesta were used up before the end.

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

I am member of a photographic club, we have an understanding that you never put your gear in the car and then walk away from it, and if you can lock your boot even when you're in the car.

Roy

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

Justin

Talking of cold feet when driving, many years ago I was the proud owner of a VW Beetle, the air cooled variety, the heating system on it was hot air ducted from heat exchangers on the exhaust system. In the footwell next to your feet was a sliding grille that controlled the admission of heated air, it was possible to open the grille fully and literally roast your feet in that car, never had a heating system that came up to the standard set by that car. I loved my beetle, it was a simple vehicle and very reliable. Dave W

[File HandleParticipant @filehandle]

Posted by Samsaranda on 14/12/2022 16:45:38:

Justin

Talking of cold feet when driving, many years ago I was the proud owner of a VW Beetle, the air cooled variety, the heating system on it was hot air ducted from heat exchangers on the exhaust system. In the footwell next to your feet was a sliding grille that controlled the admission of heated air, it was possible to open the grille fully and literally roast your feet in that car, never had a heating system that came up to the standard set by that car. I loved my beetle, it was a simple vehicle and very reliable. Dave W

The heating system in them was a bit prone to rust however. But I also liked mine.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

You could get a fault where the heat exchanger leaked and pumped carbon monoxide into the car. Not good! Having said that I liked our beetle, it finally died when the oil pump drive failed but SWMBO put her foot down to get off the motorway. By comparison with modern cars they were awful, if they had sorted the issues with the Morris minor it would have been a much better car.

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Apologies for not posting earlier, I have been watching the thread but otherwise occupied.

However many of the early posts echo my feelings and the reasons I personally do not like darkened windows. It was suggest buy one poster that eyesight may be a problem, well not for me even at 78, there was a time when I could shoot a whisker of a nat at 100 yards — now not the whisker but still the nat ! I also never wear sunglasses or use reactive lenses for the same reason as tinted windows — it makes a good day into a bad day !

As for security I think this is a fallacy and offers little advantage, maybe I’m ultra security conscious having been an RFD for over 40 years, I never leave anything of value on view in the vehicle cab, front or back.

Tinted windows were originally “allowed” or at least installed front and back but [see Nicholas’s post] soon restricted to the rear – why? Because they impeded vision for the driver and continue to do so in the rear view as say Dave Halford 08/12/22 confirms in relation to reversing and when outside light is poor.

As often happens the thread drifts off to more general driving, stopping distances etc etc all interesting, particularly the reference to the 2 second rule and distance travelled in m/s [although I’m a ft/sec fan ]

Steve Neighbour posted 13/12/22

From the inside it is almost indistinguishable from clear glass and does not hinder rear mirror vision, also rear passengers view is not compromised in any way.

I have to disagree with this in every way it is vastly different to clear glass, it is like wearing permanent sunglasses and it does without doubt hinder rear view vision. Having been a passenger in the rear of several vehicles with tinted windows it most defiantly compromises your outward vision and spoils the enjoyment of a nice day.

In the past I/we have purchased quite few new cars, Ford, Vauxhall, BMW, Landrover, Jaguar, none with privacy glass and indeed if I was buying new now I would insist on not having it. However buying a used car one has to compromise but if at all possible i would look for a vehicle without privacy glass !

Might start another thread about lights now !!!!!!

Regards all John

[Sam StonesParticipant @samstones42903]

Arriving very much down the end of this thread (14 Dec '22) and appologising if the following has already been raised.

After fifty years in Australia, and a regular visitor to skin-cancer clinics, I feel this needs a mention …

**LINK**

Cheers,

Sam

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

MichaelG.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

When it's – 6 outside and I have to take the dog out for his empty, and even during the day the sun doesn't get high enough to hit a lot of my garden, I'm not all that worried about excess UV!

However a word of caution on reactolite type glasses. I once had some. Went out on a mountain in mid winter, very cold and thick mist. Glasses went black. Fortunately I can see well enough without specs, especially in mist where you can't see more than 30 ft anyway. Optician claimed that cold increases the sensitivity of the glass, and UV gets through mist. I don't believe the latter, but the former seems to be true. I managed to get the reactolite lenses replaced free as I hadn't been warned.

[Nigel McBurney 1Participant @nigelmcburney1]

My Discovery which i bought new 12 years ago was a cancelled order and it had the option of privacy glass fitted,so I had no choice so I bought it, it does not bother me,yes thief can just about see whats inside and there is no boot so I keep old coats and other odd boxes so it looks like a lot of rubbish and put any valuables out of sight,though I do avoid leaving valuables in a vehicle. I read in the motoring press a while ago that when buying a new car if there is the option for privacy glass ,then take it a lot of customers buying used cars want privacy and you have a good chance of a better deal when the time comes for trading it in.Regarding rear vision the glass does not cause any problem,its the high rear seats with headrests that restrict vision, reversings ok as I have a rear camera,and it is also great when reversing up to a trailer and getting the hitch over the towball.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by Sam Stones on 14/12/2022 21:19:12:

Arriving very much down the end of this thread (14 Dec '22) and appologising if the following has already been raised.

After fifty years in Australia, and a regular visitor to skin-cancer clinics, I feel this needs a mention …

**LINK**

Cheers,

Sam

But here in Oz we are not allowed to have windows tinted so dark you can't see in. Which is a shame here in the tropics where car temps hit 60C in no time at all if parked in the sun. The only cars I have seen with tint so dark you can't see in are police and private investigator's vehicles. And this is the first time I have heard of the concept of "privacy glass" so I don't think it exists here in general.

[Author]

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