Are you really the law-abiding citizen you think you are? You might stop at red lights and follow the speed limit, but considering the sheer number of traffic laws in the US, there’s a high chance you’re breaking a law or two without even knowing it.
For instance, did you know you are not allowed to curse on the road? And that’s not the only weird traffic law out there. This article explores some of the weirdest traffic laws across the US.
Don’t Pay for Fast Food With Your Mobile at a Drive-Through
Drive-throughs are designed for efficiency. Their entire business model is based on providing food on the go. They also take mobile payments and have no signs warning against using your phone. So, why is it illegal?
Well, it all comes down to one of the most well-known traffic laws – you shouldn’t use your phone when operating a moving vehicle. When you visit a drive-through, you probably leave your engine running when you stop since turning it off would anger the customers behind you. It’s also quite inefficient.
So, by using your phone to pay for food, you are technically breaking the law. This also means you could get a ticket with a hefty fine, or even some jail time depending on your driving record.
You Shouldn’t Drive Blindfolded in Alabama
This may seem obvious, but the next time you are in Alabama, ignore any intrusive thoughts telling you to put your blindfold on when behind the wheel. If you get caught, you could face several penalties including fines of up to $500, 90 days of jail time, or even suspension of your license.
You Shouldn’t Drive in Reverse in Arizona
While you can legally reverse your vehicle in most situations, including pulling out of a parking space or simply moving your vehicle, you shouldn’t do it in the middle of a public road in Arizona.
This strange traffic law comes from traffic code 28-891, which states that drivers should not reverse vehicles unless they can do it safely and without interfering with traffic. By reversing your vehicle in the middle of a public road, you put both yourself and other road users in danger. So, despite its strangeness, this law makes a lot of sense.
You Shouldn’t Drive a Black Car on Sunday
If you live in Denver and own a black car, you probably break the law every other week. Denver traffic law states that it’s illegal to drive a black car on Sunday. However, this law is almost never enforced, so you shouldn’t worry too much about getting in trouble.
You Shouldn’t Buy or Sell Cars on Sunday
Indiana, Maine, and a handful of other states have laws that explicitly ban the sale or purchase of vehicles on a Sunday. This law dates back to colonial times when the British Empire enacted ‘blue laws’ to preserve and promote religious piety.
You Shouldn’t Drive With a Dog Tethered to the Roof
Alaska doesn’t take kindly to animal endangerment. So, if you ever feel tempted to tether your dog to your car’s roof when driving around, remember you could face a one-year jail term or a fine of up to $10,000.
You Shouldn’t Inhale Vehicular Fumes
Most people hate the sight of a smoky vehicle. The environmental damage, coupled with the terrible smell, is enough to make most people scoff – but not everyone. Some people do it intentionally to get high, and that could have serious health ramifications.
To protect its citizens, the state of New Hampshire prohibited the intentional inhalation of fumes of any substance for the purpose of inebriation unless it’s meant to induce anesthesia in a medical setting.
You Must Shoot Skyrockets in Pennsylvania
If you regularly drive along country roads in Pennsylvania, and you don’t have a few skyrockets stashed in the trunk for the journey, you might be a criminal. Pennsylvania law requires motorists driving along country roads at night to shoot skyrockets into the air and wait about ten minutes for the road to clear of livestock before proceeding.
Dismantle Your Car for Horses
Pennsylvania has a lot of horses. The next time you see one, remember you are legally required to pull off the road, get out of the vehicle, and cover it with a blanket or canvas resembling the countryside as you wait for the horses to pass.
And if, by some chance, the horses get skittish, you are required to disassemble your car piece by piece and hide under the nearest bushes.
No Spitting in Georgia
If you ever catch a cough in Marietta, Georgia, and feel the need to spit, you’d better be driving a truck or have a bucket with you in the vehicle to catch your spit. The city’s traffic laws explicitly prohibit drivers from spitting on a car or bus. The law, however, allows you to spit from a moving truck.
You Shouldn’t Run Out of Gas in Ohio
Running out of gas in Youngstown, Ohio, in the middle of the road, could land you a hefty fine of up to $500. Though the law itself sounds weird, the reasoning is pretty simple. If your car runs out of gas and stalls in the middle of the road, you’ll inevitably obstruct traffic, which is illegal under Youngstown Municipal Code § 331.31.
You Shouldn’t Have Alcohol Within Arm’s Length in Texas
Texas law doesn’t take kindly to driving while intoxicated. If you are pulled over and there’s alcohol in your bloodstream, you could be fined or imprisoned. You may even find yourself with your license revoked. This law also extends to driving with alcohol within reach.
Stay Informed to Avoid Breaking the Law
The US has some of the weirdest traffic laws out there. A light skim through your state’s traffic law book will probably reveal some outrageous traffic laws you’ve never even heard of. What’s even more concerning is some of these laws are enforced. Before you hit the road, it’s a good idea to learn the possible violations you can commit.
