Decorating your vehicle during the holidays has become a common sight, but it's essential to be aware of the legal and safety aspects. Police across Florida are cautioning drivers about certain decorations that could pose risks on the road.

Legal Restrictions on Holiday Car Decorations

Florida law clearly prohibits flashing lights, red, white, and blue lights on civilian vehicles. These lights are reserved for police and first responders. Additionally, decorations that obstruct the driver's view are also not allowed. Drivers must ensure that their holiday decorations are securely fastened and do not violate size restrictions to avoid fines.

One holiday trend is to decorate cars elaborately with lights similar to those on houses. While it may look festive, it can be a distraction and lead to accidents. As West Palm Beach Police spokesperson Mike Jachles said, "With the holiday decorations, holiday lights and things like that on cars, it's another element of a distraction and that leads to crashes."

Officer DJ Hall of Boynton Beach police's traffic unit echoed these concerns. He hasn't issued any tickets or received complaints yet, but he has seen other agencies dealing with such issues on Facebook. "We don't want to dampen anyone's holiday cheer, but it's important to remember that the flashing lights on your vehicle can distract not only just you, but other drivers as well," he said.

Specific Rules for Lights

Red, white, and blue lights directly in front of the car are a no-go for anyone other than police and first responders. This is a clear violation of Florida statutes. Additionally, Florida has rules regarding dimming lights around other drivers. If your lights are not up to par, it can result in a noncriminal traffic infraction and potential fines. As Hall mentioned, "I believe it was around $130 for their citation for the flashing blue-and-red lights on the vehicles."

Other Holiday Decorations

It doesn't mean you can't have any holiday fun. You can decorate your car in your driveway or parking lot where it's safe for others to enjoy. For example, you can have elf legs hanging out of the trunk or reindeer antlers attached to the windows. However, there are still rules. Florida law sets out limitations on car and load length and width. Unsecured loads on a vehicle can result in a citation.

Toyota Orlando reminds drivers to make sure their decorations don't block their line of sight, won't come off due to wind resistance, and don't block the license plate. Especially for anything hanging near the bottom of the car, it should be secure to avoid getting tangled in the tires.

Whether it's lights or other decorations attached to your car, it's crucial to follow the statutes. They are in place for a reason - to ensure safety on the road. So, enjoy the holiday spirit while keeping your car decorations legal and safe.