Christmas cars: spreading joy, or a distraction?

It is a question dividing social media: are Christmas cars spreading a little joy, or potentially dangerous?

While police say it is not "strictly illegal" to use decorative lights on vehicles, drivers could be fined if they get it wrong and cause a distraction.

Diane Ranshaw, who will run a charity Christmas convoy in Boston later, said people spent "days and days" preparing their vehicles with thousands of lights and it was a "bit of fun".

However, she advised people to only drive the cars during organised events and said the group contacted the police before setting out.

Ms Ranshaw, 46, is part of a group called Lincs Low Life Car Club.

This is its fourth year decorating cars and collecting donations of presents for children who will be spending Christmas at Boston's Pilgrim Hospital.

Last year, about 240 vehicles paraded in convoy from Sutton Bridge through local villages to the hospital.

"We dress them up, light them up, whatever we can put on them goes on them and it's a bit of fun," Diane said.

"Every year we see more and more people doing the same sort of thing. Everyone enjoys it, we're all big kids."

"We encourage only driving around with the lights on while you're in the convoy, not any other time."

Barry Disdel, 60, said he started decorating his van and visiting hospitals during Covid to thank the nurses.

He was taking part in several convoys over the Christmas period and said similar events were now being staged all over the country.

"I love my lights, I love people smiling, the kids cheering," Mr Disdel said. "It's nice to put something back into the community."

He said he did not drive around with decorations on outside of the convoys.

Tony Rich, from the AA, said the focus of its road safety campaigns was on reducing potential distractions.

"If people are looking at a vehicle going past on the other side of the road that's fully emblazoned in Christmas lights, they're less likely to be concentrating either on what's in front of them or what's to the side," he said.

"We don't want to sound like The Grinch, but we do want people to have a good and safe Christmas."

Lincolnshire Police said lighting up cars was not "strictly illegal", but drivers should take care not to cause a distraction.

"If you do choose to place lights on your vehicle they must not flash as they risk distracting drivers and causing a collision," a spokesperson said.

"Motorists should avoid dangling items in a place that could obscure their view.

"We'd also encourage people to refrain from attaching anything to their vehicle that may cause an injury to a pedestrian or may fall off and create danger on the road."

Blue lights are not allowed as they are reserved for the emergency services, while care should be taken to ensure any lights are not mistaken for headlights and rear lights.

The force said "magnetic signs, wraps and stickers" could be used to create a festive look.

Humberside Police warned Christmas lights could be "extremely dangerous" and said anyone who was "seen with excessive lights" would be pulled over and could be fined.

The force spokesperson said: "It's not just about preventing collisions, it's about fostering a culture of responsibility, where all road users look out for each other and make decisions that keep themselves and others safe."

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