Three mistakes made when transporting Christmas tree that could result in £100 fine… don’t get caught out
MOTOR experts have revealed three mistakes people make when transporting their Christmas tree that could result in a £100 fine.
Between six and eight million Christmas trees are sold each year in the UK with people keen to get the merry season underway.
And while decorating your festive fir is often one of the highlights, transporting it home can be the most difficult part.
If you don’t carry it properly, it can get you into trouble on the road.
Driving experts at cinch have warned that you could even receive a fine and up to three points on your driving licence.
If the tree’s position, distribution, or simply the way it’s been placed inside or on top of the car is deemed to be unsuitable - you could be punished.
The experts' first piece of advice to avoid this is to measure your car space properly.
As well as working out your perfect tree size for its space at home, it’s important to be practical and think about the dimensions of your vehicle first.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: “Before committing to a specific tree, it’s always worth working out how much space you have to play with.
"Ultimately, there’s no point in buying a Christmas tree that won’t fit inside or on top of your vehicle.
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“Whether you’re the proud owner of a used Ford or VW, take time to measure your car's interior or roof-rack space and figure out the maximum length and (wrapped) width of tree you can buy.
“For example, models such as the BMW X7, Skoda Superb Estate, VW Touareg, and Ford Puma have generous boot spaces.
“If you’re travelling solo, lay flat your back seats, too. This should give you an extra two or three feet to play with.”
However, experts say that if there’s not enough room inside the cabin, you can strap the pine to the roof of your car.
You may also want to use a tall vehicle to avoid impacting other drivers’ visibility and a roof rack to ensure the tree doesn’t sway from side to side.
The second mistake people often make is that their car is not adequately prepared for transporting the tree, say experts.
Once you’ve made all the measurements, your motor needs to be suitably prepared for the ride.
It’s no mystery that most Christmas trees lose a lot of pine needles, especially if shuffled about.
And as you tackle bends and bumpy roads, it’s bound to leave a trail of needles behind. The experts at cinch advise drivers to place a blanket or tarpaulin sheet where the tree will go.
So when you get home, all you need to do is shake out the cover and give it a quick vacuum.
You could also consider wrapping the blanket around your Christmas tree if the shop or farm doesn’t provide you with netting.
Most importantly, when you're transporting your tree home , you’ll need to hit the road with extra care and caution.
Since you’re carrying a bulkier load than usual, take corners slowly and avoid braking sharply where possible, say motor whizzes.
If there’s not enough room inside the car to accommodate your new festive passenger, you’ll have to attach it to the roof.
Experts advise you to use ropes or bungee cords to secure the tree to your roof rack – ensuring it’s tightly held down from where the branches start to its tip.
Remember to put the stump end at the front of the vehicle to minimise wind resistance and prevent potential damage.
And if your tree overhangs slightly from the roof at the back, attach a flag or something reflective on the tail end to alert fellow road users.
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