'Christmas car' spotted driving at full speed down road stuns motorists

12 November 2023 , 19:08

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It appears the driver modded out their motor to bring a little seasonal joy to the roads (Image: TikTok/pier_zero)

This "Christmas car" - covered in colourful lights - was spotted cruising a main road and has baffled drivers.

Footage captures the festive Fiat 500 travel along the busy road while decked out in its unique decoration. The 13-second clip on TikTok has proved very popular, racking up more than 730,000 likes.

But it has caused a lively debate over whether the vehicle is legal and roadworthy in its current state. Similar lights, such as underglow kits, on your car are actually explicitly ruled out in the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations of 1989, so the seasonal cheer may not last.

Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations of 1989 stipulate where lights may be placed and what colour they may be. When drivers stick neon lights to the underside of their cars - underglow kits - they are largely guilty of breaching these laws.

But the Fiat driver is also at risk of contravening other rules. Motorists are prohibited from displaying any red, green or blue lights on their cars that are visible from any direction - with the exception of red rear brake lights which are a legal requirement in the UK.

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This is designed to prevent your motor from being mistaken for an emergency vehicle. Blue lights are well known to be used by emergency services while flashing red lights are used by stationary emergency vehicles as well as in police escorts.

It also is an offence to fit lights of any colour that are visible from the rear of the vehicle, with the obvious exceptions of legally required tail lights, indicators, fog lights, reversing lights and number plate lights.

Likewise, lights on the front of the car can only be white or yellow headlights, with any others running the risk of being considered a dangerous distraction to other drivers.

Nevertheless, the car and driver have been praised on social media. One wrote: "Bro took Christmas with them." Another added: "I’ll get those next." And a third said: "Found my starter car."

Bradley Jolly