Xmas lights on truck yield $274 ticket

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WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 13 (UPI) -- A Kansas man given a $274 citation for decking his pickup truck out in Christmas lights said his illuminated vehicle has been spreading holiday cheer.

David Hill of Wichita, founder of the group OneSpark, which aims to feed and clothe the homeless, said he spent 16 hours covering his truck in Christmas lights and hooking them to a generator in the bed of the vehicle, KAKE-TV, Wichita, reported Thursday.

Hill said he was surprised when he was pulled over two weeks ago on the highway and fined $274 for his light display.

"I'm not saying he was right or wrong," Hill said of the ticketing officer. "The bottom line is there's so many people in this town right now that are hurting. And literally, there's been thousands of people that have taken pictures with that truck and it's brought a smile to their face."

Hill said he will leave the lights on his truck to spread Christmas cheer and bring attention to his organization's charitable efforts.

Police Lt. Joe Schroeder said the lights could prove a dangerous distraction for other drivers.

"When you take a vehicle and you cover it with that many lights, it's an issue of safety," Schroeder said. "You're going to get the rubberneckers who are going to be staring at the vehicle. They're going to have a collision or rear end somebody because they're too busy looking at this car that's driving down the road."