WIESBADEN (Germany): Christmas is the time of road safety hazards, it would seem. If drivers aren't battling with ice and snow, then they are trying to cram large evergreens into their boot in ways that can limit their vision.
Police in Germany are, meanwhile, nervous about what might be a risky new trend: Christmas decorations attached to the outside of cars.
Recent years have seen a growing number of cars decorated with Rudolph noses, reindeer antlers, candy canes and Santa hats in countries where Christmas is celebrated.
Christmas wreaths and fairy lights are taking things too far, however, police in Germany say. On Nov 13, two muscle car owners were fined for decorating their radiator grilles with a wreath, a red bow and colourful fairy lights.
"It's certainly nice to look at, but it's not allowed," police in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate said after a police patrol spotted them on a highway late one evening.
Amazon and other online retailers currently offer countless decorations designed for car grills, notably lit-up wreaths and reindeer antlers to be attached with zip ties.
Germany's highways are relatively lawless when it comes to top speeds, and many stretches have no speed limit at all. However police are strict about the risk of decorative objects coming loose from a car and turning into high-speed projectiles.
"Hopefully, the two won't let this ruin their Christmas spirit," police said.
