Merry Merry Christmas... Want to decorate your car with some fun? Be careful, it's illegal!
Judo Christmas! It's Christmas again! Have you prepared your Christmas decorations and furnishings for the packed Christmas parties of December?
Seeing people wearing reindeer antlers and Santa Claus costumes, combined with the cold weather, brings a festive atmosphere to the city! For car owners, are you planning to add a Christmas touch to your vehicle?
Here are some things to keep in mind before buying decorations!
Who is riding that deer-drawn sleigh past... Can we stick the deer antler decorations on pillars A and B?
Red Rudolph nose stickers on the logo, reindeer antlers on the A and B pillars... these are some of the most popular Christmas car decorations in recent years. While these cute cotton antlers may seem harmless, they can easily detach and fall onto the road when a car is speeding, affecting other road users. Especially for motorcyclists, even a small obstacle on the road can cause an accident.
Unauthorized exterior decorations are considered illegal modifications, and if stopped by traffic enforcement, "reindeer cars" may be impounded for inspection. Owners will not only need to restore the original settings but also pay additional fines! It's said that last Christmas, a "Road Block" reindeer hunt was staged in the Eastern District!
Gazing at those lights, they shine brightest and brightest only tonight... Is it okay to hang Christmas lights all over the carriage?
Decorating your car like a colorful float with twinkling bubble lights—a beautiful sight sure to attract envious glances from passersby—is a clever way to create a dazzling spectacle. However, be aware that this will also draw the attention of traffic enforcement officers! Hong Kong law stipulates thatdisplaying unique and brightly lit decorations inside a vehicle, which could potentially distract drivers of following vehicles*, violates the Motor Vehicles Lighting Ordinance. Want to take a photo with your dazzling car adorned with lights? The only way is to keep the car stationary and take a picture with the lights in a warm parking lot!
In addition, traffic enforcement agencies typically set up vehicle checkpoints at various locations throughout Hong Kong during special holidays. Besides cracking down on dangerous driving behaviors such as drunk driving, drug driving, and illegal racing, they also conduct more spot checks for illegal vehicle modifications. To ensure a pleasant holiday experience, pay attention to these seemingly insignificant details!
Source: Hong Kong Legal Information Centre (HKLII)
^Section 36 of Chapter 374A Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations: Mascots and other accessories: If a mascot or other unnecessary accessory is hung anywhere on a vehicle and is likely to strike a person, then the vehicle shall not have such mascot or accessory in such location
*Chapter 374G Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations, Section 47 Lighting on motor vehicles: No one may—
(b) Driving a motor vehicle on the road while displaying any illuminated traffic light miniature or other illuminated device that may distract the driver of a following vehicle ; or
(c) Driving a motor vehicle on the road while displaying any distinctive and illuminated lights, unless the lights comply with Part VII of the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations ( Cap. 374 , Subsidiary Legislation)