Haiti has announced a ban on tinted vehicle windows in

a move to stop kidnappings.

The

ban, which the government said is temporary, takes effect on Saturday.

It

will apply to most vehicles, including police vehicles.

The

only exception will be vehicles bearing the new “Official, Diplomatic Corps and

Consular Corps” registration plate.

“This

measure applies from Saturday, March 6, 2021. After this period, the police

services are authorised to use the legal constraints provided for in the

Highway Code and criminal law,” a statement from the Haitian government said.

“The

situation calls for exceptional measures for the safety of all, and requires

the understanding of the population and of all those who had already paid their

tinting rights.”

A

hotline was also provided for residents to report vehicles with tinted windows

as well as those without license plates.

Kidnappings

for ransom have surged in Haiti in recent times, with perpetrators using

heavily tinted vehicles in the execution of their crimes.

There

have been more than 110 kidnappings so far this year– more than double the 51

reported kidnapped during the first three months of 2020.