Christmas Lights on Cars: Festive Cheer or Road Hazard?

SINGAPORE - The holiday season brought out the festive spirit in many, but for some car owners, that cheer has led to legal trouble as they adorned their vehicles with Christmas lights.

In a recent announcement on January 3, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) revealed that they had caught a staggering 86 vehicles committing over 165 offenses in a crackdown targeting illegal modifications in the weeks leading up to the New Year. Photos shared by the LTA show a dark sedan completely decorated with fairy lights, highlighting a trend that has caught the attention of authorities.

During a two-week enforcement operation in December 2024, the LTA found that vehicles sporting unauthorized decorative lamps made up the bulk of the offenses. Additionally, 39 cars were flagged for modified exhaust systems, indicating a concerning trend in vehicle alterations on Singapore's roads.

Social media has become a hotbed for discussions around this topic, with photos of the fairy light-adorned cars circulating on platforms like Facebook. A popular post on SG Road Vigilante, which commands a following of over 280,000 users, sparked mixed reactions, garnering over 400 interactions and more than 180 comments.

While some users voiced their confusion over the restrictions, with one commenter, A.J. Kasetyo, arguing, "I don't see anything wrong with this. People are just trying to be festive," others expressed their concern about road safety, claiming that such decorations could distract drivers.

The LTA has clarified its stance by directing inquiries to the One Motoring website, which states that such modifications can cause distractions and disorient other drivers. Decorations like LED lights on wipers and neon undercarriage lights fall under the prohibition. Those found in violation, including car workshops, could face hefty fines of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to three months, with repeat offenders facing even stiffer penalties.

This incident isn't an isolated case. Previous violations include a car that mimicked the appearance of a police vehicle, albeit with the word "Polite" instead of "Police," raising alarm when it went viral last June. Authorities promptly advised the owner to remove the decals, reminding the public that impersonating a police officer is a serious offense under the Police Force Act.

In another example from August 2024, a private vehicle displayed a "taxi" sign, prompting the LTA to issue an enforcement notice requiring inspection at an authorized facility. Its owner later confirmed that he removed the signage following the notification.

As the holiday season approaches annually, it's clear that the line between festive display and road safety remains a contentious issue. As more drivers embrace the holiday spirit, authorities will be working hard to ensure that celebration does not come at the expense of road safety.