Transportation Tobi on 16 Aug 2007 08:52 pm
Does the World Need Tinted Rear Windows?
After writing yesterday’s post, today I observed cars and in particular their rears with a fresh keen sense. It seems to me now that the key factor inhibiting good forward looking habits are tinted rear windows. Practically all large cars such as SUVs, pick-up trucks, and mini-vans have them these days. The only exception are much older models which are rare. Tractor trailers and delivery vans are impenetrable anyway, so all that leaves is passenger cars. And I even saw some of those with tinted windows; Typically either luxury limousines or souped-up ghetto cars.
WHY?
This is the question I am turning over and over in my brain. Nothing useful comes to mind. To the contrary, I come up with reasons that speak against them. And I am not talking about the ability to see through from behind.
Rather, I am thinking of the ability to see through from within. It cannot be easy. Especially if you wearing sunglasses as many people do these days. What’s the benefit. It’s not as if you are in constant danger of getting blinded by the sun through the rear window. Sure, the sun sometimes comes from the back, but that’s what the dimming feature is for; newer cars even do this automatically.
So, in summary, tinted rear windows make the road less safe for following vehicles by effectively reducing their ability to scan the traffic in front of them, and they also make the road less safe for the driver reducing his/her ability to see what’s behind.
The question remains why there are more and more cars with tinted rear windows. I encourage everyone to comment on this topic, in favor or not, to shed some light on this topic.
on 02 Sep 2007 at 0:27 # Derek
I feel that I must comment on the combination of these last two posts. I agree that the proliferation of SUV’s is a bit preposterous. I’ve even found myself thinking that I might one day buy one. Fortunately, I am too poor for such things. My 8-year-old Honda Civic will suffice. Tinted windows, if done well, really don’t provide a great obstruction in view to the driver (or anyone inside the vehicle). I am usually annoyed when stuck behind a tinted window, and I agree that the safest way to drive is to scan the road at all distances ahead. This is especially critical in high volume traffic.
On the gas-guzzling note, I think that it’s very interesting that we as American consumers typically demand the greatest possible performance in our technological devices, yet we only pay lip service to improving fuel efficiency unless gas prices start to skyrocket. Here is some free advice to all the readers of this blog: a more fuel efficient car saves you money on gas AT ANY PRICE. The best part is these cars even tend to cost less than the worst-offending gas guzzlers. In other words, it always makes good economic sense to buy a reasonable auto.
The simple fact remains that for many Americans (probably the vast majority), gasoline represents only a small fraction of their total expenditures. Even now, most people don’t have to make major life changes to afford fuel – though those times may come. Still, gas is on the minds of everyone with a car. We get used to using our cars about the same amount from week to week, and year to year. We get used to paying a certain amount to do so. When the price jumps, we all are affected, even those with cars like mine – I used to spend less than $15 per week on gas, and now, with similar mileages, I am lucky to pay under $20. Anyway, enough commenting for now.
on 09 Oct 2007 at 12:58 # Optimality! » Blog Archive » Future Traffic - Dark Times
[...] just have to write another update on my tinted window posts. In the past I talked about SUVs/Pickups/Minivans as well as certain kinds of passenger cars [...]