Updated on: December 23, 2024 / 1:10 PM PST / CBS San Francisco
An East Bay CHP officer recently had to play Grinch after spotting a car decorated with exterior Christmas lights traveling on Interstate Highway 880, authorities said. amusement lighting
Such decorated cars are becoming increasingly common on roadways across California and elsewhere as people follow instructions found posted online in YouTube and TikTok videos. Videos of people getting pulled over because of those decorations are also becoming increasingly common on those platforms.
The Hayward office of the California Highway Patrol posted about the incident on its Facebook page Friday afternoon, using it as a reminder to drivers not to decorate their vehicles during the holiday season.
The post did not specify exactly when or where the vehicle was spotted, but the post included an image showing the white BMW 3 Series 340i sedan festooned front to back with Christmas lights.
"While we appreciate the festive spirit, California Vehicle Code says extra lights on your car's exterior are a no-go," the post read.
The post continued, saying the CHP sergeant had to "play the role of the Grinch (but with a heart two sizes too big) and remind the driver that safety comes first!"
"With that said, keep the lights on your house, your tree, or even your sweater—but not your car!" the post added "Stay merry, stay bright, and stay legal!"
There have been other similar social media posts by CHP offices in December, with some citing the California Vehicle Code that makes it illegal to have such decorative lights on vehicles unless they are on private property or in a holiday parade.
Dave Pehling is website managing editor for CBS Bay Area. He started his journalism career doing freelance writing about music in the late 1990s, eventually working as a web writer, editor and producer for KTVU.com in 2003. He began his role with CBS Bay Area in 2015.
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