§ 11:255. View outward or inward through windshield or windows, obscuring prohibited.

(a)

As used in this section and regulations applicable thereto, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context of use clearly indicates otherwise:

(1)

Glass coating material means a material that is designed to be used in conjunction with safety glazing materials of a type meeting standards adopted by the department of public safety for reducing the effects of the sun.

(2)

Light transmission means the ratio of the amount of total light to pass through the product or material, including any glazing material, to the amount of total light falling on the product or material and the glazing.

(3)

Luminous reflectance means the ratio of the amount of total light that is reflected outward by the product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material.

(4)

Manufacturer means a person who engages in the manufacture or assembly of a vehicle glass coating material, or who fabricates, laminates or tempers a safety glazing material, incorporating, during the manufacturing process, the capacity to reflect or rescue the transmission of light.

(b)

Except as provided by section 11:253.C, no person may operate a motor vehicle with any object or material placed on or affixed to the front windshield or to front side windows of the vehicle so as to obstruct or reduce the driver's clear view through the front windshield or front side windows, or place on or affix to the front windshield or the front side windows of a motor vehicle, any transparent material if the material alters to color or reduces the light transmission of the windshield or front side windows.

(c)

The provisions of this section do not apply to any of the following:

(1)

A front side window having a glass coating material, in conjunction with safety glazing material, with a light transmission of at least fifty (50) percent, plus or minus three (3) percent, and a luminous reflectance of not more than thirty-five (35) percent, plus or minus three (3) percent.

(2)

A transparent material, not red or amber in color, affixed by the original manufacturer to the topmost portion of the windshield.

(3)

An adjustable nontransparent sun visor mounted forward of the side windows and not attached on the glass.

(d)

In no event shall any person operate a motor vehicle with any windows having a glass coating material that causes a total luminous reflectance of more than thirty-five (35) percent plus or minus three (3) percent.

(e)

(1)
Each manufacturer shall provide a label with a means for permanent and legible installation between the material and each glazing surface to which it is applied, that contains the following information:

a.

The manufacturer's name or registration number;

b.

A statement "Complies with VESC-20"; and

c.

Numerical percent of light actually transmitted.

(2)

This label shall be affixed to the lower left corner of each window affected.

(Ord. No. 8599, 2-10-88)

State law reference

Similar provisions, R.S. 32:361.1.