Photo: French police stop driver over car covered in Christmas lights
Officers were appreciative of the decorations and took photos - but demanded that they were all removed
The driver does not believe he broke any rules with his vehicle
Kyllian Grigis
A festive driver has been warned after being stopped by police in central France with his car covered in Christmas lights.
Kyllian Grigis was spotted by gendarmes at a roundabout as he drove from the Aube department to Troyes.
The officers admired the decorations (pictured above) and even took photos - but then ordered Mr Grigis to remove all the lights and decorations before letting him drive off.
“I stayed with the gendarmes for a while. They wanted to know everything about the car… I don't understand why they tell me it's great and then do this,” he told local media France 3.
“I spent 30 minutes taking everything off. Even [a toy elf above the car’s logo], I couldn't leave it: that's not very nice.
“It puts a smile on people's faces in today's crazy world. With the cost of living and everything else, people's spirits are low so we might as well share some Christmas magic,” he added.
Read more: PHOTO: Fake gendarmerie car seen in France - with Dutch number plates
No fine given
Gendarmes told Mr Grigis that the lights broke France’s Code de la route (road safety laws) by showing additional lights on the vehicle.
Article R313 of the Code states that any exterior lights on a vehicle cannot be placed on a car unless approved elsewhere in the law (Christmas lights are not approved).
“I'd had 50 metres of lights on my car for three days. I'd also bought a converter to plug into the cigarette lighter, for €50,” said the driver, believing this meant the Christmas lights were not in contravention of the rules as they did not constitute a separate lighting system.
“I'd done everything I could to make sure it was firmly attached, so it wouldn't flicker. Every light was taped on. On the road, people seemed really happy.”
With the precautions he took, the driver does not understand why he was ordered to remove the lights.
Mr Grigis was not fined as he removed the lights and complied with the gendarmes’ request.
However he said he would put them back on to attend a Christmas rally with friends.
The Aube prefecture said they are planning meetings with local law enforcement officers to clarify the rules around such a vehicle.
Read more: Watchdog highlights Christmas food shopping ‘scams’ in France
