Millions of drivers are expected to hit the roads during the busy festive period – whether it's to travel to see friends or family members or to take part in celebratory activities.
However, the AA is now warning all drivers that transporting their Christmas trees could actually lead to hefty fines.
Motorists could be slapped with a £5,000 penalty if they're not careful with their festive firs. That's because Rule 98 of The Highway Code states that a driver must secure their load and it must not stick out dangerously.
Guidance also urges drivers to make sure any loads are properly fastened and that they do not obscure your view or vehicle lights.
Despite this advice, many motorists continue to make costly mistakes each December. These could make your Christmas less merry – and a lot more expensive!
So to help prevent this, the AA has shared their top recommendations to safely transport your Christmas tree home without risking the fine.
AA Patrol of the Year, Shaun Jones, explained: "Every year we see trees that are far too big for the car, tied on with bits of string or poking out of the boot. Not only can this damage your vehicle, but it also creates a genuine safety hazard if the tree blocks your view or falls off mid-journey.
"Even if you think it’s just a short trip home from the garden centre, an unsecured load could cost you thousands in fines or worse, cause a collision."
Shaun went on to explain that if your tree won’t fit comfortably inside, use roof bars and secure it with strong ratchet straps.
He added: "Always place the tree in netting with the trunk facing forward to reduce wind resistance and protect branches. Double-check that it’s not obstructing your mirrors, lights, or number plate before setting off."
Do you know how to properly secure a Christmas tree to the roof of your car? #cartips #christmastree #howto
Then, taking to TikTok, experts from cars.com went on to share even more tips on how to best bring a Christmas tree home.
Firstly, they said to make sure to get your tree netted, as this will make it easier to hold and lift. It should also prevent any branches from hanging over the windows of your car.
If you're worried about the tree scratching your car, or that it will drip sap, try wrapping it with a blanket.
While it's recommended to transport your tree inside the car, this isn't always possible. If the tree is too big, the best option is to secure it on the roof of your car.
To do this, make sure the base of the tree is facing forwards. You can then secure it with strong ratchet straps.
The AA adds: "Always place the tree in netting with the trunk facing forward to reduce wind resistance and protect branches. Double-check that it’s not obstructing your mirrors, lights, or number plate before setting off."
So there you have it, easy tips to transport your Christmas tree without being put on Santa's naughty list!
