The fight against xenon headlights has revealed the scale of the accident problem in Chechnya.

No manufacturer installs xenon lamps in car headlights, but their home-made installation is widely practiced by car owners, which degrades the quality of headlights and increases the risk of accidents. The campaign by Chechen security forces to confiscate such lamps demonstrates the prevalence of the problem in the republic.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, the confiscation of LED lamps from drivers on Chechen roads is illegal, commentators pointed out in response to reports of road raids. The use of overly bright lamps leads to accidents, and similar raids would not hurt Dagestan, their opponents countered. Supporters of LED headlights insist that in some cases they help see what's happening on the road.

The Chechen State Traffic Safety Inspectorate's campaign to inspect car headlights, focusing on identifying xenon lamps, indicates the significant scale of the problem in the republic, according to Sergey Kanayev, Chairman of the Russian Federation of Motorists. He also noted that the problem with xenon headlights exists in virtually all regions of the country.

Kanayev pointed out that there are no "factory-installed" xenon headlights, as some social media users have cited during discussions.

"No factory installs xenon lamps in headlights. There are headlights with halogen bulbs where the components are crudely replaced with xenon, and this, first and foremost, degrades the quality of the headlights. Furthermore, the bright light, which is virtually impossible to adjust, literally blinds oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of accidents," Kanayev told the "Caucasian Knot."

According to his information, such home-made installation of xenon lamps is currently punishable only by fines. Kanaev also refuted the assertion of xenon lamp proponents that they are more effective as fog lights. "Rather, they are significantly less effective. After all, white light is better in fog, while xenon headlights produce yellow," he explained.

Vehicle approval for operation is regulated by the "Basic Provisions for the Approval of Vehicles for Operation and the Duties of Officials to Ensure Road Safety," noted an automotive lawyer who wished to remain anonymous.

"If a vehicle has not passed a legal technical inspection, or if the headlights are installed home-made, not factory-installed, the vehicle may be banned from operation until violations are resolved." If there is any doubt as to whether the headlights were installed improvised, the inspector can tow the vehicle to an impound lot and conduct an investigation. Under Russian law, simply seizing a car is not permitted, and no region, no matter how high up the administrative ladder its leader ranks, can do so. As for penalties, this could be a fine," the lawyer told the "Caucasian Knot."

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that in January, the head of Chechnya called any window tinting in Chechnya unacceptable and suggested that those fearing raids "stay home." At the end of 2023, drivers in Chechnya faced new raids by security forces against car tinting; attempts to argue with the officers resulted in summonses, according to local residents. In December 2024, roadside inspections in Chechnya were again intensified, with drivers linking the raids to the fight against window tinting. The ban on window tinting in Chechnya does not apply to the head of the republic himself and his associates, commentators have pointed out.

Earlier, Ramzan Kadyrov linked the accident rate on Chechen roads to the increase in tinted cars. He demanded that this problem be "completely eradicated," including by involving drivers' relatives. For more information on what exactly about the actions of Chechen security forces outrages car owners and the legal procedure for removing the film, see the "Caucasian Knot" report "How Chechnya is Combating Car Tinting."