Lights too bright, police tell drivers of festive trucks in Comox Valley
Courtenay parents who drive trucks decorated with Christmas lights to the homes of sick kids and seniors say they have been “Scrooged” out of spreading seasonal cheer.
That’s after Comox Valley RCMP pulled over Bill Brimacombe in his decorated crane truck Friday and warned him the coloured lights were a danger to other drivers.
Police spokesman Rob Gardner confirmed that on Dec. 8 a truck driver was stopped and warned the Christmas lights were in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act and could be distracting for other motorists. “There was also a concern that the lights interfered with the [operation] of the truck’s brake lights, signal lights, marker lights etc.,” Gardner said.
No violation ticket or fine was issued, rather, the driver was requested to turn off the Christmas lights, he said.
“I understand their concern and their reason behind it and I turned it off because I know he’s [the police officer] just doing his job, but I just wish he came across different or phoned rather than pulling me over on the road,” said Brimacombe, who is a married dad with two young boys.
Supporters took to social media to complain, resulting in a campaign to let the truck drivers light up again.
Inspired by truck light parades, a group of residents in 2013 decided to take the joy of the sparkling displays to those who can’t get out of their homes because of disability or illness. As it grew, in 2015 they began collecting donations for charity.
Brimacombe’s four-year-old son rides with him. “It teaches them you give back when you are fortunate,” he said.
When he was stopped, Brimacombe was going to meet fellow drivers Kevin and Erin Kaetler, who helped start the event. “It just feels like they are trying to dampen our spirit,” said Erin Kaetler. She said she believes the road rules applied in this case are paternalistic.
A compromise, banning the lights on main roads and highways but allowing them on residential roads, should have been considered, she said. “Here’s a group of people trying to do something for the community and bring joy to other people and it seems a shame [the police] are so cut and dried.”
The truck drivers have visited several kids with autism, a woman ill with cancer, and seniors who wouldn’t otherwise get to see a truck parade.
Some have suggested the drivers and their Christmas-decorated trucks should park in a public space, “but that doesn’t get us out to reach people who can’t get out,” Kaetler said.