Drivers of cars with illegally tinted windows have now been given a 30 day grace period to bring their vehicles in line following a Police climbdown.

But a senior officer has still defended a campaign to have illegally tinted windows removed from vehicles -- and added that road traffic accidents had dropped by more than 30 percent in the past six months partly because of a Police crackdown on motorists.

And soon Police will have their own window tint testing equipment, ending the practice of impounding cars until the Transport Control Department (TCD) can get to them.

There has been an outcry against a crackdown on window tints that exceed the 35 percent limit.

Authorities have now climbed down and put in a 30 day grace period for violators.

Motorists now have until May 7 to remove window tints that exceed the 35 percent limit. After that date they face a $50 ticket.

Those caught before May 7 can produce a TCD pass certificate and escape with a warning.

It was revealed yesterday that only 12 vehicles were impounded since the crackdown started at the end of last month. All 12 failed the test.

National Traffic Coordinator Ch. Insp. Roger Kendall yesterday said the move came after consultation with window tint dealers who are swamped with people having their cars retinted.

He said the move was done out of concerns for safety and noted: "Where appropriate, Police will continue to impound.

"But I can announce today that Police will be buying their own equipment,'' he continued.

"And within the next two weeks there will be a unit within each traffic division, Eastern, Central, and Western, as well as the Prospect based radar detection unit.'' Ch. Insp. Kendall defended the crackdown, saying there was a six-week "grace period'' in which people were warned before Police began to enforce the law.

"It's a safety issue, pure and simple,'' he said. "Let's set the record straight. We have been stopping people for years. When it became a big problem, we started a campaign.

"We must not lose sight of the fact that people are losing their lives out on the streets and we must enforce the law on all fronts. This initiative has been very successful in regaining some sanity on our roads.'' Tinted windows outcry Ch. Insp. Kendall said: "To this end we have achieved a one third reduction in the road traffic accidents in the last six months. I'm sure the motoring public will appreciate the high Police presence on the roads acts as a deterrent and a means to enforce the appropriate traffic laws.'' Window tint dealers and installers yesterday welcomed the move and reported a huge backlog of customers wanting to properly remove illegal tints.

They defended the practice of installing illegal tints, citing "supply and demand'' and the fact that it is not illegal to have the dark tints, only to drive cars with them on the roads.

"That's excellent -- something is better than nothing,'' Polish Masters' Robert Wheatley said.

"What we were asking them for is something similar to the speed limit where they allow you up to 50 kph before they ticket you.

"Nine out of ten of my customers want the darker tint. I show them what is called 50 percent tint and they want something darker.'' Island Detailing's Stuart Old said he was pleased with the news, but added: "It's a little too late now. People got scared and took off the film themselves and damaged their windows. They won't be reimbursed. Some people seem to believe that all tint is illegal, which is not true.'' When asked, both Mr. Wheatley and Mr. Old said they did nothing wrong in putting on the illegal tints.

Mr. Old said: "It's been a good five or six years since the law was changed.

If they wanted it they got it. Police officers were some of our best customers. What aggravated a lot of people was that there was no leeway, or as they are saying now a grace period. TCD knew people were doing it years ago.'' Mr. Wheatley added: "It's not illegal to affix illegal tint. If you want it, you're on your own.'' Passed: Transport Control Department technical officer David Johnson, right, shows a window tint meter while National Traffic Coordinator Ch. Insp. Roger Kendall and Road Safety Officer Roxanne Christoper look on.