Around the world outlandish laws stemming from antiquated legal systems that never got updated or logistical challenges unique to that country are still visible and enforced today. Some may not seem bizarre in concept, but have extreme consequences such as one law in Vietnam that can penalize you with a three-year jail sentence for simply driving without a license. In other places some laws are so absurd they often do not need to be enforced, such as an Alaskan law banning the practice of tying your pet to the roof of your car. Here are some other bizarre and head-scratching driving and traffic laws from around the world:
Driving Topless
In Thailand whether you’re driving a car, bus, or tuk-tuk cab (motorscooter cab) it is illegal to do so without a shirt on for both males and females.
Drinking on the Road
No brown bag is needed when driving in Costa Rica- it’s legal to drink alcohol while driving a vehicle so long as your blood/alcohol level is below 0.05%. Despite it’s leniency on drinking and driving, the country also prohibits blasting music near churches, hospitals, and schools.
Mandatory Breathalyzers in your Car
On the other end of the extreme, in France it is required all drivers carry a portable breathalyzer in their vehicle at all times while driving said vehicle. The one-time kits costs about $5 and if you don’t have on the fine is around $15, but law is rarely enforced.
No Dirty Cars… Or Car Washes on the Street
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In Moscow if your car is dirty enough to pen dust art it is liable for a fine equivalent to around $55. Although enacted in part to prevent muddied and obscured license plates, it is up to officers to make the call. What makes it worse yet is that it’s also illegal to wash your car by hand on public property for ecological reasons. This forces drivers to take their vehicles to one of the few car washing facilities in the city.
Limit your Road Rage in Cyprus
Never mind obscene gestures like flipping the bird in Cyprus- even raising your hand in a bout of road rage can get you fined 25 euros or about $35. The law states that a driver can be fined if “the person is in an irregular position inside the vehicle or raises his hand from the steering wheel unnecessarily.” Talk about interpretive freedom.
Yield to Animal Herders
On South African roads shepherds have the right of way. The law explicitly says that “the driver of the vehicle on a public road shall stop such vehicle at the request or at the signal of a person leading or driving any bovine animal, horse, ass, mule, sheep, goat, or ostrich on such road.” Although most people probably wouldn’t risk playing chicken on the road with an ostrich anyway. Fines can get as high as $500.
No Splashing Pedestrians
Politeness is not just a part of the Japanese culture, it’s also a part of their driving laws. Splashing a pedestrian with your car from a puddle on the road will cost you over $60. Japan is also extremely strict on DUI laws- riding with or loaning your car to a driver who gets caught drinking and driving can lead to a fine costing thousands of dollars.
Eating Inside the Car
Careless driving laws exist in the United States and United Kingdom, but it can get excessive in the U.K. where drivers have been pulled over and ticketed for eating a sandwich or apple.
Prohibited Driving Based on the Day of the Week
Although some countries like Italy restrict driving access to certain zones, in Manila, Philippines, definitely has the most convoluted traffic law. You can’t drive in some of the busiest districts in Manila depending on the day of the week and the last number of your license plate. For example, if your plate ends in 1 or 2, you can be fined if caught driving between the hours of 7am and 7pm on Mondays.
Your Shepherd Needs a Chaperone
The United States is definitely not immune to bizarre laws either. In Montana it’s illegal to have sheep in the back of your truck unless there’s a chaperone- but luckily it’s legal to keep the sheep inside the passenger cabin without supervision. And in Nevada it’s prohibited to drive camels on the highways as well as illegal to lay down on the sidewalk.
Pedestrian Discrimination
In Beijing pedestrians have no right of way whatsoever when coming to crossing the street. There, a driver can even get fined for stopping at a pedestrian crossing for too long. On the other hand, in Singapore it is illegal to come within 50 meters of a pedestrian who is crossing the street.
Have you encountered any of these absurd traffic laws? Are there any outlandish laws in your state or country? We want to know!
Source: https://autos.yahoo.com/photos/10-bizarre-driving-laws-around-the-world-1395700902-slideshow/
http://azweird.com/travel/weird_traffic_laws_around_the_world-769.html
