The Christmas trend which could cost you thousands in fines

Be careful how you're displaying your festive spirit this silly season!

With Christmas now just three weeks away (yes, you read that right), you wouldn’t be blamed for getting into the festive spirit.

You may have decorated your tree, the outside and maybe even the inside of your home.

But, if you’re thinking about decorating your car, I’m sorry to be the one to burst your bubble.

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Image: TikTok / @xryderdantino.

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Dial down the decorations

Already, people have been taking to TikTok to showcase their decorated cars, like @xryderdantino, whose video has racked up over 25 million views.

Whilst many praised the car and commented how good it looks, even more people questioned the legality of the decor.

“Is that legal?” one commenter said.

“Are the cops okay with this?” another said.

“Can u get a fine for that?” said a third.

And ultimately, the answer to the last question is a resounding yes.

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How much will it set me back?

Christmas lights of any variety either inside or outside of your car are completely illegal, as they’re deemed distracting for road users.

It gets even worse if you use red lights, which can confuse people into thinking you’re braking, or blue lights, leading people to think you’re driving an emergency services vehicle.

Depending on the state, this could cost you anywhere from $50 to a few thousand dollars in fines, plus a few demerit points.

In New South Wales specifically, a driver using any light on or in a vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user could face a maximum of 20 penalty points, with a potential fine of over $2000.

So… what can I do?

If you still want to decorate your car, thankfully there are a few things you can still do.

As long as they’re fitted securely and aren’t likely to obscure yours or other drivers’ visibility, some tinsel or a pair of antlers likely isn’t going to cause any harm.

Originally published as The Christmas trend which could cost you thousands in fines