Why lighting up your car for the holidays could put you on the naughty list

Most everyone loves a brightly decorated home this time of year, but a word of advice before you bring that holiday spirit on the road — don’t.

While a car festooned with festive Christmas lights may look — as one police source put it — “cool,” it’s a violation of state law and could get you a ticket. The same goes for lighted reindeer antlers and wreaths.

“All of these things are technically illegal,” said Naperville police Cmdr. Ricky Krakow.

It all falls under the “special restrictions on lamps” section of the Illinois Vehicle Code, Krakow said. “Unless otherwise expressly authorized by this Code, all other lighting or combination of lighting on any vehicle shall be prohibited,” the code reads.

Distracting drivers — both the one behind the wheel and others on the road — is a big reason for the prohibition. So too is a state law that prohibits nonemergency vehicles from displaying any combination of red, blue or white lights.

Other hazards include light strings coming detached and getting ensnared in a vehicle’s wheel well or creating problems for other drivers, said Arlington Heights police Cmdr. Chris Sefton, who heads the department’s community safety bureau

Decorating vehicles with lights seems to be a growing trend, according to Sefton, but both he and Krakow say their departments aren’t using the opportunity to hand out tickets.

“We’re really focused on educating people,” Sefton said.

“Our philosophy in traffic (enforcement) is we focus on behaviors that are dangerous and known to contribute to severe traffic crashes,” Krakow added.

What about other holiday decor, such as unlighted reindeer antlers or — yes, we’ve seen this — Santa Claus stuck to a truck’s grill?

Police said those are largely OK, as long as they don’t create a hazard or distraction.

“What it comes down to is safety,” Sefton said. “Use your best judgment. Ask whether it can be a distraction for not just you as the driver, but others on the road with you.”

Doesn’t pass the smell test

Possessing marijuana may be legal, but driving with it in your vehicle gives police the authority to search your vehicle, the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled.

In a 4-2 decision handed down last week, the state’s highest court ruled that the smell of raw cannabis coming from a vehicle gives police probable cause for a search.

It’s a departure from a ruling earlier this year, in which the court’s majority found that the odor of burnt cannabis does not provide probable cause.

The difference?

“The odor of burnt cannabis suggests prior or current cannabis use, and the odor of raw cannabis suggests that cannabis is currently possessed in the area where the odor is detected,” Justice P. Scott Neville wrote for the majority. “Different laws are implicated based on those inferences.”

Under state law, those 21 years and older can possess marijuana in a vehicle. But it must be stored in a sealed, odor-proof and child-resistant container and inaccessible while the vehicle is moving.

The high court ruled that if an officer can smell cannabis in the vehicle, there’s reason to believe it is not stored as state law requires.

The case stemmed from a December 2020 traffic stop along I-88 in Whiteside County that led to a misdemeanor possession charge against the driver.

Coroner says goodbye

DuPage County Coroner Dr. Richard Jorgensen lost his post in the November election, after 12 years in office. As he departed, he thanked the county board and the people of DuPage County for their support. In particular, he thanked the board, the health department and the DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association for their work with the DuPage Narcan Project.

Jorgensen said in the 12 years of the project, more than 7,000 people were trained in how to administer the overdose-reversing medication, saving 2,000 lives.

He also believes there will be fewer than 90 overdose deaths this year, continuing a downward trend from the previous two years.

“I believe this good news is due to the years of dedication — providing awareness, information, treatment and education to the community,” Jorgensen said.

Kiante Tyler update

The man accused of shooting a Bensenville police officer in November 2021, severely injuring him, remains unfit to stand trial, DuPage County Judge Joseph Bugos has ruled.

Kiante Tyler will now have a discharge hearing on Feb. 10. At that hearing, the prosecution will present its evidence against Tyler. The judge could acquit Tyler, find him not guilty by reason of insanity, or decide not to acquit him, which essentially would leave the criminal case open longer while Tyler continues treatment.

Tyler remains in custody at the Elgin Mental Health Center.

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