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Driver Caught With Huge Christmas Tree Loaded on Top of Van, Cops Aren’t Amused

If you have a big house, you must buy a Christmas tree to suit it. By that reasoning, this British driver must live in a palace, because he just bought – and illegally transported – a huge tree.
British driver gets caught carrying huge Xmas tree on the roof of his van 7 photos
Photo: Twitter / PC Jane Bickley
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On a more serious note, a driver got caught in Plymouth, UK, carrying the huge Christmas tree on top of his van, where it perched precariously because it was wider and longer than the vehicle. Police Constable Jane Bickley took to social media to post the photo of the loaded van, along with a warning to other motorists not to follow this driver’s example.

“Shocking image spotted on the A38 by one of our speed camera vans over the weekend,” Bickley writes. “We all know it’s a hectic time of year in the run up to Christmas… but please consider the suitability of your vehicle if transporting such a large load.”

As you can imagine, commenters have been having a blast with the photo. Some commend the driver for pinning a hi-vis vest to the tree, even if it’s dragging on the road because the tree isn’t secured properly. Others joke about the size of his house and compete in coming up with tree-related puns.

Joking online is one thing, but pulling a stunt like this can turn very dangerous on the road. Overloading a vehicle slows response time for the car and can lead to injury to its driver or other motorists.

As many commenters note in this case too, carrying a Christmas tree on top of your car is legal as long as it’s not bigger than your vehicle. The driver of this van seems oblivious to the fact that its rear lights are completely obscured, which means no other driver traveling behind him can guess his next move. Then, there’s the issue of the weight of the tree, which puts extra pressure on the tires, impairing braking and stopping distances.

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
Elena Gorgan profile photo

Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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