State carries little-known driving fine for incorrectly carrying one common Christmas item
Following a little-known road mistake during Christmas can save your holiday budget and other drivers.
Americans across the country will be carrying live Christmas trees home on top of their cars this December, but a closer look at one state’s rules for transporting loads on vehicles shows why its drivers should take extra precautions when performing this routine holiday task.
While it’s not illegal to haul large items on car roofs in New York, the state can quickly slap motorists with a fine for doing so incorrectly.
A first offense can result in a New York driver receiving a $100 fine, while a second ticket incurs a $350 penalty, according to WFRG-FM.
Each subsequent offense after a second citation will yield drivers a $750 fine.
These fines apply to Christmas tree transportation since New York lawmakers consider the task the same as moving appliances, furniture, or any other large object.
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Failing to secure large items atop a car roof properly can result in the object falling off and endangering other drivers.
Christmas trees also pose falling debris risks with items like branches or pine needles, emphasizing motorists’ need to secure the item properly through netting and tie-downs.
A whopping 44 percent of Americans planning to transport a live Christmas tree will do so utilizing unsafe methods, according to one AAA survey.
This survey includes 20 percent who will tie the tree down to their car’s roof and 24 percent who will place the tree unsecured in their pickup truck’s bed.
Using a car’s roof rack is the easiest and most reliable method for carrying a Christmas tree home.
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A roof rack also elevates a tree so its pine needles and sap don’t damage your roof’s paint surface.
Some drivers may secure a Christmas tree to a vehicle without a roof rack by running nylon ropes or straps through the car doors and back up to the roof.
However, this method can create tears in door seals, according to Consumer Reports.
Specialized tie-downs like nylon ratchet straps will ensure the tree stays fastened to your roof, even if you’re traveling at highway speeds.
Drivers can alternatively use ratchet straps or bungee cords to secure a Christmas tree in a pickup bed or ship a live tree to their home from brands like Lowe’s, Costco, or some local farms.
