A Senior Lecturer at NiBS University, Ing. Dr Peter Debrah, has called on Ghana’s road safety and law enforcement authorities to review aspects of the country’s vehicle window tint regulations to accommodate certified solar-control films that protect motorists without compromising visibility.

He said although concerns about excessively dark vehicle windows were legitimate, the regulations should distinguish between unsafe tinting and high-transparency films designed to reduce ultraviolet (UV) radiation, solar heat and glare.

In an advocacy article on vehicle window films on Friday, November 13 2026, Dr Debrah acknowledged that heavily tinted windows could obstruct drivers’ vision, make it difficult for other road users to see into vehicles and create challenges for security personnel.

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However, he argued that the debate should not treat all forms of window films as potentially unsafe.

He said Ghana’s tropical climate, characterised by intense sunshine and high temperatures, made the use of properly tested solar-control films worth considering, particularly for professional drivers who spend long hours on the road.

Citing information from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, he noted that some vehicle side-window glass could allow significant levels of UVA radiation to pass through, potentially contributing to skin damage, premature ageing and increased skin cancer risk.

According to him, certified automotive films could provide additional protection for drivers and passengers, including children, without necessarily requiring very dark windows.

Dr Debrah also highlighted their potential to reduce heat entering vehicle cabins and ease the workload on air-conditioning systems.

He, however, cautioned that not all dark films offer effective heat rejection, insisting that their performance should be established through independent testing.

On road safety, he warned that excessively dark films could compromise visibility, particularly at night, during rainfall and in poorly lit environments.

He stressed that drivers must be able to identify pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, road signs and other potential hazards.

Addressing the legal framework, Dr Debrah referred to Regulation 92 of Ghana’s Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which prohibits tinted front windscreens and sets a minimum visible light transmission requirement of 70 per cent for other permitted tinted glass, subject to specified conditions and exemptions.

He cautioned motorists against assuming that products advertised as UV-protective automatically meet the country's legal requirements.

Among his recommendations are calibrated visible light transmission (VLT) meters, standardised roadside testing, product certification and clear installation standards. He also proposed carefully defined medical and occupational exemptions supported by appropriate documentation.

Dr Debrah said his position was not intended to encourage motorists to disregard existing regulations or undermine police enforcement.

"Our laws must protect life, but good laws should also respond to evidence, technology and the conditions in which people live and work," he argued.

He called on the DVLA, Police MTTD, National Road Safety Authority and public-health professionals to initiate a broader discussion on responsible vehicle window film use.

He maintained that Ghana needed a science-led approach that protects public security and road users while allowing motorists to benefit from certified technologies that do not compromise visibility.

NA/AM