IS IT ILLEGAL TO PUT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON YOUR CAR IN OKLAHOMA?
Have you ever been driving down the road in December and noticed someone with Christmas lights on their car? Chances are, the sight was distracting, and if police officers saw the lights, they would likely have a word with that driver.
CAN YOU PUT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON YOUR CAR?
While Oklahoma law does not address Christmas lights on cars, specifically, it does prohibit the use of neon lights and other car modifications. Additionally, Red and blue lights are expressly forbidden due to their association with emergency vehicles, and flashing lights are outlawed altogether for the same reason.
A local officer tells Tulsa World, “No flashing lights can be used at all. It distinguishes regular vehicles from police vehicles and emergency vehicles.” If you’re planning to decorate your car this holiday season, make sure your lights are off whenever you hit the roadway. The lights may be perfect for a parade or other event, but they can be dangerous around other drivers and affect your ability to identify emergency vehicles.
SIMILAR LAWS IN OTHER STATES
Oklahoma isn’t just a Grinch when it comes to festive fun; its laws mirror those of other states. Colorado officials explain, “If you have anything on or in your vehicle that can be deemed distracting or be misinterpreted as being a turn signal or brake lights or backup lights, that would be a concern for us.”
THE BRIGHT SIDE
Typically, police officers do not pull over cars with holiday lights, nor issue citations. If a driver is spoken to, they are usually given a warning or asked to take their lights down. Only when lights are particularly distracting, like those of this South Carolina man, do officers write tickets for “improper lighting of a vehicle.”
Decorating your car can be fun for special events, but to stay on the safe side, remove your modifications before everyday use. While a citation is unlikely, a $200 ticket could put quite the damper on your holiday cheer.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM RICHARDSON RICHARDSON BOUDREAUX, PLLC
Here at our firm, we aim to give you all the information you need to be safe. Unfortunately, nothing we do can prevent car accidents. If you are injured over the holidays, or at any other time, please do not hesitate to call us for help.
Our attorneyscan be reached at 918-492-7674, online, or during a free consultation at our Tulsa or Oklahoma City offices.