INDIANA — As the holiday season approaches, Indiana State Police (ISP) are reminding Hoosiers that decorating their vehicles with Christmas lights is against the law.
ISP officials issued a warning on Tuesday after reporting an increase in cars adorned with colorful holiday lights as temperatures drop and festive cheer takes over. While many drivers may view this as a fun way to celebrate the season, ISP emphasizes that it is illegal to attach lights to vehicles in such a manner.
According to Indiana Code 9-21-7-10, using colored lights anywhere outside the front and back of a non-emergency vehicle is prohibited. The law states, “A person may not drive or move a vehicle or equipment upon a highway with a lamp or device on the vehicle or equipment displaying light other than white or amber visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle or equipment.”
This means that Christmas lights and other colored lighting on a vehicle are illegal and could lead to safety hazards by impairing visibility or distracting other drivers. Banned light colors include:
- Blue
- Green
- Red
- Red and white
- Red and blue
“We’ve seen more vehicles this year with decorations that might seem festive but could be dangerous or distracting on the road,” ISP wrote in a post. “We encourage people to find safe ways to celebrate, but putting Christmas lights on your car isn’t one of them. This may look festive, but it is not legal and a distraction. Please don’t drive with Christmas lights draped over your car.”
The warning serves as a reminder that although it’s common to see houses and yards sparkling with holiday lights, vehicles must adhere to specific safety standards to ensure all drivers remain safe.
ISP urges motorists to keep their vehicles free of non-essential decorations and to exercise caution when driving during the busy holiday season.
