Donnerstag, 13.08.2026
Legality of “Devil Eyes” in Road Traffic
from
Dr. jur. Ingo E. FrommLawyer
Specialist in criminal law
Specialist in traffic law
Give me a call: 0261 - 404 99 401
E-Mail:
Trendy but Illegal Eye-Catchers
Truck drivers, in particular, feel the need to equip their vehicles with additional, eye-catching lighting and enjoy having an attention-grabber. Apparently, so-called “Devil Eyes” are currently popular among professional drivers. One could call this a trend. These are screens installed behind the windshield. The screens use LEDs to create colorful, moving eyes. The product is offered not only on car customization websites but also on Amazon, without drawing attention to the traffic law issues involved. The price is approximately 30.00 EUR. The product is advertised as featuring a programmable, flexible LED display. Using an app, the driver can adjust the design, allowing the lighting to change while driving. While driving, the Devil Eyes can blink, wink, and look to the side.
Initiation of Fine Proceedings
If police officers discover these lights, they are cited as improper lighting equipment and fine proceedings are initiated. Furthermore, it is argued that they distract other road users and obstruct the driver’s line of sight. The police may even prohibit the vehicle from continuing its journey, requiring the driver to remove the additional lighting immediately. Fines specifically accuse the person concerned of operating a vehicle even though its operating permit had expired. Road safety is said to have been significantly impaired as a result. This constitutes a violation of § 19(5) and § 69a of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO); § 24(1), (3) No. 5 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG). The schedule of fines provides for a fine of 180 EUR and one point in the Driver Fitness Registry (FAER) for trucks or buses, see No. 214a.1 BKat.
Successful Defense Strategy
The defense should move to have the proceedings dismissed pursuant to § 47 of the German Administrative Offenses Act (OWiG), or, alternatively, request that only a warning fine be imposed, as there was no impairment or endangerment of traffic safety. If there is no significant impairment of traffic safety, only a minor warning fine pursuant to No. 221.2 BKat in the amount of 20 € is imposed. The Osnabrück Local Court (Case No.: 203 OWi (13 Js 1102/26) 35/26) recently reduced the fine, at the defense counsel’s request, by written decision pursuant to § 72(1) OWiG to a fine of 55 EUR, which does not result in any points being recorded in Flensburg.
If administrative fine proceedings are initiated against you, it is essential that you seek the assistance of a lawyer specializing in traffic law.
The statements represent initial information that was current for the law applicable in Germany at the time of initial publication. The legal situation may have changed since then. Furthermore, the information provided cannot replace individual advice on a specific matter. Please contact us for this purpose.