There are many laws that drivers must follow. Staying within the speed limit is of course the most obvious of these. Fines, points and disqualifications can be imposed for breaches of the rules and not knowing the law is not a valid excuse. That said, there are so many rules and regulations that at some point it’s possible you’ll fall foul. Indeed some laws are so obscure, even comical, that you’d probably never believe them even if you knew about them!
Any driver would naturally feel disappointed to receive a penalty, even more so if driving was how you made a living – for example same day couriers. So whilst this piece should not be considered an in-depth review of traffic laws, it should at the very least serve as an eye opener. You should be aware that there are some very strange rules in place wherever you may be driving and here we take a look at just a few. Prepare to be surprised, a little shocked and amazed!
The UK
Same Day Couriers Direct operate a network that delivers. Always accurate and guaranteed to be on time, they really understand their role as “Key” workers. Driving across the UK means that they are subject to many traffic regulations. Here are some of the stranger ones that apply to both them and moreover you!
Phones
Of course we know that we shouldn’t use a phone whilst driving. Nothing is ever that important that it can’t wait until you’re stationary. Phones are a distraction and therefore can be dangerous. However, the introduction of card-less payments means that phones can now be used as an alternative form of currency. You can flash your phone at a terminal and pay for your purchase. That in itself is amazing, but just hold on a minute. If you’re at a drive through picking up a burger, then the use of your phone, when the vehicle isn’t stationary with the handbrake on, is an offence. That tasty burger could land you with a fine and six penalty points and no burger is worth that!
Good manners
Everybody knows that road rage is a thing. The more you drive, the more chance that you’ll encounter it or possibly even have an episode yourself. Good manners are important. Not only in the sense that the world is a much nicer place when people are polite (especially drivers) but also on the basis that a short temper can get you into serious trouble. Fines of around £1,000.00 and three penalty points can be imposed under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, even for something as simple as a rude hand gesture. Hands up who’s ever done that? (Unless you’re driving of course!)
It is also polite to not splash people with the puddles that form on roads. Oh and by the way it is also illegal to do so. Avoid a big fine and points and just being a little bit nicer is the key!
Honking too is overrated and, whilst your frustrations might want you to bang the steering wheel, it can be a costly choice with fines of up to £1,000.00.
Another thing about manners is to not play your music too loud. Not everyone shares your tastes for one and secondly it can lead to a fine for you.
The last thing to be said about manners is about being overly-polite. You might think it is “Awfully British” to warn others about the Police speed trap that they are heading towards down the road but you simply should not be doing it. It is also potentially more costly than getting caught in that same speed trap too!
Dirt
Cleaning a vehicle is a chore, but when you can be fined for a dirty licence plate (up to £1,000.00) perhaps you’ll bring out the hose!
Snow is no better, as it is illegal to drive with snow on the roof. Cleaning your windows is fine, but don’t forget to scrape the excess off the roof too. A failure to do so could mean a harsh penalty.
Pets
We’ve all seen dogs hanging out of windows and smile. But it isn’t allowed! You can receive up to nine points and a fine for allowing your best pal to be unrestrained and feel the breeze through their fur!
What about elsewhere
It is easy to see that the UK laws are potentially a minefield to navigate. However, they are nothing compared to those elsewhere. Perhaps none more so than America. If you are looking for obscure laws and potential hazards that are almost impossible to understand let alone avoid, then America is the ultimate challenge. Just think of these alleged state-based laws as examples of the ridiculous…
- in Alaska you can’t drive with a dog tethered to the car, as if you would!
- in California you can be fined for driving too slowly
- in Georgia you cannot honk at a fair, as if you would! Maybe it’s so you don’t scare the clowns
- Indiana prohibits you from exiting (or entering) a moving vehicle, as if common sense didn’t already do that
- in Alaska you can’t drive with a dog tethered to the car, as if you would!
- in California you can be fined for driving too slowly
- in Georgia you cannot honk at a fair, as if you would! Maybe it’s so you don’t scare the clowns
- Indiana prohibits you from exiting (or entering) a moving vehicle, as if common sense didn’t already do that
- in Maine you are not permitted to park in front of a Dunkin Donuts
- Massachusetts denies you the right to have a gorilla in your car, even if you would want one. Quite how you get your gorilla to the shops is another problem
- Missouri prohibits you driving with an uncaged bear in the vehicle – well why would you
- a personal favourite can be found in Nebraska. You are obliged to drive near the right edge of the highway when on a mountain. There are no mountains in Nebraska
- in New York, you cannot disrobe in your vehicle
- Oklahoma says you cannot read comics whilst driving – other books may be allowed, we’re not sure
- Texas doesn’t need windscreens for vehicle inspections yet does still require you have the wipers
- West Virginia allows you to take home any road kill you might see for your supper
- Wisconsin allows you to sit in another person’s parked car even if you don’t have permission
- in Maine you are not permitted to park in front of a Dunkin Donuts
- Massachusetts denies you the right to have a gorilla in your car, even if you would want one. Quite how you get your gorilla to the shops is another problem
- Missouri prohibits you driving with an uncaged bear in the vehicle – well why would you
- a personal favourite can be found in Nebraska. You are obliged to drive near the right edge of the highway when on a mountain. There are no mountains in Nebraska
- in New York, you cannot disrobe in your vehicle
- Oklahoma says you cannot read comics whilst driving – other books may be allowed, we’re not sure
- Texas doesn’t need windscreens for vehicle inspections yet does still require you have the wipers
- West Virginia allows you to take home any road kill you might see for your supper
- Wisconsin allows you to sit in another person’s parked car even if you don’t have permission
It is difficult enough to abide by laws that you know about and understand. If you’re in a hurry, it is easy to creep above 70mph and try and push home, even though you know it is wrong. Of course you’re also assuming the risks that come with that and you may get caught out. But when the rules are so obscure that you don’t even know that they exist, what can you do? Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law but let’s face facts, who isn’t ignorant of some of these rules and regulations that we’ve just been reading about.
As drivers we can only do what we think is right i.e. take care, drive safely and within the rules. If we find ourselves in breach then we have to accept the punishment. Nobody knows all the rules off hand. Some rules are so bizarre that you’d think they were made up. So if you do fall foul of one and are punished for it, you can perhaps give yourself a little break. Drive safe and take care.