A DRIVER was stopped on the M4 after police found his car windows were so dark they let almost no light in.

The motorist’s tinted windows let only 0.31 per cent of light through -- the legal limit being 70 per cent.

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This driver was one of just a number of road users stopped by Thames Valley Police on May 23 in a force road safety operation.

Together with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the TVP and Hampshire Police Roads Policing Unit were patrolling junctions 11 and 12 of the M4.

They halted:

  • A number of HGVs for a range of issues including mechanical problems with vehicles, insecure loads and bald tyres.
  • Five van drivers were stopped for offences including using mobile phones, having no insurance and being overweight.
  • Another van driver was stopped for having bald tyres on their vehicle, as well faulty breaks, corroded suspension and no insurance.
  • Two car drivers were stopped for having front tinted windows that did not let enough sunlight through.

PC Jonny Housby, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to educate a number of drivers through this operation and take unsafe vehicles off the road.

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“It’s extremely important that HGV and other similar vehicles are safe to drive and that the drivers are making sure they are complying with tachograph rules. This makes sure that they and other road users are safe.

“In addition, we identified number of drivers who were using their phones while driving and one driver was not wearing a seatbelt. These are two of the fatal four factors that make it more likely that you could be killed or seriously injured in a collision.

“It is not worth the risk, so please make sure that you are not distracted by your phone while driving and that you are wearing a seatbelt.

“As we come into the summer months and the holiday season, there will be more people on the roads. We all have a part to play in making sure that we are driving safely and that our vehicles are road worthy.

“Thank you to our partners who supported this operation.”