Expert shares Christmas decoration you should never put in your car – as you risk a fine

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Decorating your car for Christmas can be just as fun as doing your house – but be careful, as experts have warned that some decorations could land you with a hefty fine

It’s the end of the first week of December and for many of us, that means it’s finally time to get the boxes down from the loft and bring a touch of Christmas cheer to our houses.

Some of us will also be looking to see what we can do to make our car s more festive too, from changing the air freshener to one with a cinnamon scent, to sitting a small Father Christmas in an out-of-the-way corner of the dashboard.

However, experts have warned motorists to be careful with the Christmas decorations they try to put up in their car, as you could end up with a hefty fine if your decorations are deemed to be “distracting” for other drivers on the road.

Alex Booth, founder of WarningLights.co, has urged drivers to avoid any decorations that might obscure their view of the road by blocking part of the windscreen, and said that fairy lights are a big no – as they could cause “significant problems” for other motorists.

He told The Mirror: “Decorating your car for Christmas can be great fun – just make sure that it doesn’t turn into a distraction or irritation for others on the road. And always avoid any decorations which may obscure your view of the road, for example, those which cover part of the windscreen.

“Don’t ever be tempted to place Christmas lights in your car as this can cause significant problems for other drivers.”

While it’s not necessarily illegal to decorate your car, affecting the view out of the windscreen can lead to three points on your license and up to £1,000 in fines.

Using coloured lights that are not native to your vehicle, however, could land you in trouble under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.

And Alex also shared further tips for helping drivers take it easy this Christmas, as we all know how hectic it can be trying to drive around shops in a rush to pick up last-minute presents and food supplies.

The expert suggested doing your Christmas shopping early in the morning when the supermarkets are quieter, as this will guarantee you a parking space and help keep your stress levels down while inside the shop.

He said: “One of the most common bugbears when driving around Christmas time is a lack of available parking spaces. The amount of petrol that you will use trying to find a space could cost more than a taxi home.

“So why not try to get your shopping done early in the morning when car parks are less jammed and easier to navigate without people creating their own overflow parking places obstructing everyone else?”

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