Financial penalties suggested for "Persian hair dyeing" practices by Russian authorities
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) in Russia has proposed a new set of regulations aimed at enhancing road safety by addressing issues related to illegal window tinting and seat belt covers.
The MVD's proposal, put forth in August, does not mention any connection between seat belt covers and crime or terrorism. Instead, it focuses on the issue of seat belts being hard to detect due to the use of certain covers, particularly black ones on dark clothing, which are practically invisible, and light ones on clothing of the same color.
In response to this, the MVD has suggested a ban on seat belt covers due to their insufficient effectiveness in detection. The proposed solution also includes increasing the fine for this violation to 15,000 rubles.
Regarding the use of retractable film devices, such as those visible on many Gazelles, even in Moscow, Anton Shaparin, an employee, states that the number of people violating traffic rules by using these devices is increasing annually. Shaparin also highlights the negative impact these devices have on road safety, as they sharply reduce the driver's visibility, perception, and ability to notice challenges such as electric scooters, pedestrians, etc., especially at night.
The MVD's proposal does not mention any suggestions to strengthen stimulating measures to combat the use of these devices. However, the National Automobile Society (NAS) suggests strengthening such measures to address this issue.
The current regulation in Russia regarding tinted vehicle windows specifies that the visible light transmission (VLT) must be at least 75% on the front windshield (with allowance for a darker stripe up to 10 cm at the top) and 70% on the front side windows. There is no regulation governing tinting on rear windows.
These standards, set by GOST 5727–88, the national technical standard, aim to maintain sufficient visibility for drivers, especially at night and for law enforcement inspections. However, illegal or excessively dark tints remain a problem, often bypassed through bribes despite regulations.
The MVD's proposal does not state any negative effects of seat belt covers on road safety. It also does not mention any adjustments to the formulations of the names of tinting to prohibit the use of such devices. The NAS, however, also suggests adjusting the formulations of the names of tinting to prohibit the use of such devices.
In summary, the MVD's proposal aims to address the issue of seat belts being hard to detect, and it proposes fines up to 15,000 rubles for using blinds or other devices on car windows that mimic tinting. The proposal for fines suggests an intent to tighten control over illegal tinting practices due to safety issues. However, the use of retractable Iranian blinds on vehicles remains a separate issue, for which the MVD has not proposed any specific measures as of August 2025.
The MVD's proposed regulation does not extend to the automotive industry, specifically the use of retractable Iranian blinds in vehicles, which remains a concern for road safety due to their impact on driver visibility. In the domain of finance, the MVD has suggested increasing fines for violations related to seat belt covers and illegal window tinting, demonstrating an intent to tighten control over such practices in the transportation sector.
