Fremont Cracks Down On Windshield Tints

Fremont Police said on May 14 that officers will step up enforcement of front windshield tint violations in the coming weeks after a one-day traffic operation produced more than 400 citations across the city. The department said the May 13 operation was conducted with agencies from the Alameda County High Impact Traffic Team and included stops for speeding, stop-sign violations, cell phone use and window tint. Police said front windshield tint “poses real safety risks on the road” because it can reduce visibility for drivers and limit what officers can see during traffic stops. California law bars drivers from operating vehicles with material on the windshield or side windows that obstructs or reduces the driver’s clear view, with limited exceptions. ### What did Fremont police announce after the May 13 operation? The Fremont Police Department said in an official Nextdoor post that officers will increase enforcement of front windshield tint violations “over the next several weeks.” The post was published by the department’s public information officer one day after the May 13 operation. More than 400 citations were issued during that operation, according to the department. Police said the total included 214 speeding citations, 69 citations for windshield and window tint violations, 60 stop-sign citations and 43 cell phone citations, along with other hazardous-driving violations. ### Why are officers focusing on the front windshield? Fremont police said front windshield tint can “increase glare and reduce visibility,” making it harder for drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles. The department also said darker windshield tint creates added risk during traffic stops because officers cannot clearly see inside the vehicle. The department framed the enforcement push as a traffic-safety measure rather than a standalone tint campaign. In the same post, police said officers begin with education and warnings when possible, but issue citations when needed to reinforce safe driving behavior. ### What does California law allow on a windshield? California Vehicle Code Section 26708 says a person may not drive a motor vehicle with material placed on the windshield or side or rear windows, and may not drive with material that obstructs or reduces the driver’s clear view through the windshield or side windows. The California DMV driver handbook separately says drivers may not place signs or other objects on the front windshield or side rear windows that block their view. The DMV handbook lists narrow exceptions for certain items affixed to glass, including a 5-inch square in the upper center of the windshield for an electronic toll payment device and small squares in lower corners of certain windows. The general rule in California is that the front windshield must remain clear. ### Who in Fremont handles this kind of enforcement? Fremont Police’s Traffic Unit says it is responsible for enforcing the California Vehicle Code and local municipal ordinances, responding to injury collisions and handling neighborhood traffic complaints. The unit’s staffing page lists two sergeants, three traffic specialists, three motor officers, two community service officers and two parking compliance officers. That unit sits inside a broader traffic-safety effort by the department. Fremont Police has also posted recent public-safety notices on seat belt use, distracted driving and bicycle and motorcycle safety on its official news page. ### Where are drivers likely to see more stops next? Fremont police did not publish a street-by-street enforcement map in the May 14 post. The department said only that officers will increase front windshield tint enforcement in the next several weeks, following the citywide May 13 operation with the Alameda County High Impact Traffic Team. Drivers who receive a citation or need a vehicle release can find traffic citation and vehicle impound information on Fremont Police’s official website. The department’s traffic unit page and public news list remain the main official sources for updates on future traffic-safety operations.