Holiday Decor Not Welcome At Turnpike Toll Booths

POMPANO BEACH (CBS4) - It will be a blue Christmas on the Florida Turnpike.

Toll plaza workers have been warned, no holiday lights, tinsel or Santas allowed.

"They're killing the holiday spirit. With the economy we need smiles," commented driver Varis Monroe when he heard about the ban.

Decorations have never really been allowed at the turnpike toll plazas, just tolerated according to policy. But when someone complained earlier this year that a Halloween display on the turnpike was too demonic that put the brakes on all displays.

Drivers had mixed reaction on the ban.

"Having no lights ruins the Christmas spirit," said Thor Brovold.

Added Ray Quaig, "Not to put up decorations stomps on the original founds of this country."

Turnpike spokesman Chad Huff says the policy against decorations has to do with safety.

"Much like you don't want people driving 60 MPH looking at a house fire, you don't want them looking at decorations by the side of the road," said Huff.

While the plaza decorations are banned, "service plazas" where you buy gas and food can continue to display holiday decorations.