A group of truck drivers who spread holiday cheer throughout their community with brightly-lit Christmas decorations on their trucks have been ordered to kill the lights because police say that they could pose a danger to other drivers.
Drivers Light Up Trucks To Help Food Bank, Spread Cheer To Sick Locals
Since 2013, a group of truck drivers in Comox Valley, British Columbia, have been decking out their trucks with Christmas lights and hitting the road to visit nursing homes and sick children in the community who might not be able to make the journey to see the trucks displayed in public. The Comox Valley Christmas Light Trucks group has been using their festive trucks as a means to collect donations for local food banks since 2015.
But on December 8th, an officer with the Comox Valley RCMP stopped two of the Christmas light trucks and told the drivers they they are in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act and that the bright lights could make local roads more dangerous by distracting other drivers. Police also warned the drivers that the lights could interfere with brake lights and turn signals.
The drivers weren’t ticketed — only issued a warning.
One of the truck drivers who was pulled over, Bill Brimacombe, says that he understands that the officer was only doing his job, but that he has never had trouble with law enforcement before. He told the Comox Valley Record, “I even went through a road block with it before, I’ve been passed by police officers. A lot of them will just wave. I understand he was doing his job. I see that side of it. I was just hoping they’d try to work with us. There is a law there, yes, but I just never had a problem with it, so I figured it was supported in the Valley.”
The solution for now seems to be that the Comox Valley Christmas Light Trucks will need to stay parked, but that means that those who are to elderly or sick to come out to the trucks won’t get to enjoy them this year.
The RCMP’s practical if Scrooge-y decree has prompted a backlash from locals, Christmas-lovers, and truck enthusiasts who are sad to see the trucks sidelined.
You can visit Comox Valley Christmas Light Trucks on Facebook to learn more.