While it’s essential to obey the rules of the road, some regulations on the books are off the wall. Alas, strange driving laws are not uncommon in America.
Thankfully, the police have better things to do than enforce ordinances that defy logic and offend common sense. Still, sometimes it’s better not to mess around and find out. It’s essential to obey all the rules of the road—not just the ones that make sense.
You Might Want to Sit Down for This One…
You’re about to see some of the oddest driving laws. And no, they’re not fiction—they’re actual laws. And violating them can potentially land you in trouble.
Virginia: Drunk Passengers Can Be Charged With DUIs, Too
According to Coastal Virginia Law Firm, drunk passengers, not just drunk drivers, can be charged with DUIs. If you’re an intoxicated passenger, you could face a DUI charge if the police pull over the driver and deem you to be the opposite of sober. Naturally, this leaves us with a few questions, mainly: how are you supposed to get home in Virginia after you’ve had a few too many drinks?
Arizona: Don’t Honk the Horn for Anything But a Traffic Emergency
Some people lean into their horns like their lives depend on it. But you want to be careful how you use your horn in Arizona. In the state, you can only honk your horn for traffic emergencies—like if someone’s merging in front of you improperly.
You could get a ticket if you honk because the light has changed and you want the driver in front of you to get going or if you arrive at someone’s home and want them to know you’re there.
Arkansas: Avoid Honking Near Sandwich Shops After 9 PM
In Arkansas, Code 1961, § 25-74 of the Little Rock, Ark. Code of Ordinances prohibits drivers from honking their horns at any locations where sandwiches and cold beverages are served after 9 pm.
No Jumping from a Car Moving at a Speed of 65 MPH
Unless you’re a well-paid stunt car driver, there’s no reason you need to jump from a car moving at 65 mph. But Concord Kia says an ordinance in the City of Glendale prohibits anyone from exiting a vehicle traveling at that speed.
Connecticut: Bicyclists Can’t Exceed 65 MPH
It’s against the law in Connecticut to ride 65 mph on a bicycle. You might wonder if reaching that speed on a bike is even possible. Only one thing’s for sure: crazy driving laws in the U.S. don’t just apply to vehicles.
Florida: No Hazard Lights While Driving
We’re conflicted about this one. Some people put on their hazard lights and slow down if their vehicles are compromised. But you could get a ticket if you do that in Florida since the state bans motorists from activating their hazard lights when their cars are moving.
While this rule seems odd on the one hand, you have to admit that you should probably pull over and call for help if your vehicle is compromised enough to warrant using the hazard lights.
Kentucky: No Ice Cream in Back Pockets
Another strange driving law comes to us from Kentucky. It’s apparently against the law to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket while driving a vehicle. Try to envision this unlikely scenario.
Kansas: No Screeching Tires
While the sound of screeching tires isn’t music to anyone’s ears, it seems a bit heavy-handed to make doing so against the law. Yet, that’s precisely what’s happened in Kansas—home to the no screeching tires regulation.
Maine: Illegal to Park in Front of a Dunkin’ Donuts
It’s against the law to park in front of a Dunkin’ Donuts store in Maine. This outdated law was implemented to reduce congestion. One source says the law makes perfect sense if you visit the Dunkin’ Donuts in South Berwick, Maine since congestion is a major issue.
Minnesota: Can’t Drive Vehicles with Dirty Tires
Minnetonka, Minnesota, appears to be serious about tire cleanliness. Its “845.010 Public Nuisances Affecting Peace, Safety and General Welfare” city code prohibits driving vehicles with dirty tires. Imagine getting a ticket for dirty tires when driving through Minnetonka. Wow!
New Jersey: Illegal to Pump Your Own Gas
How can this be, New Jersey? Taking customer service too far, the state requires gas station attendants to pump gas for customers, as customers aren’t permitted to do it independently.
CNBC reports that New Jersey is the only state in the country that does not permit motorists to fill their tanks independently—with no exceptions. Oregon has a similar law but allows some areas to offer self-service gas stations.
Ohio: Illegal to Run Out of Gas
Running out of fuel anywhere is frustrating and embarrassing. But if it happens to you in Ohio, you could get a fine since running out of gas in the state is against the law. It’s considered a nuisance—precisely what it is if you’re stranded in a live lane. But against the law?
North Dakota: Don’t Throw Firecrackers from Moving Vehicles
In North Dakota, throwing lit firecrackers out of moving vehicles is illegal. One has to wonder whether this was a pressing issue before the law was enacted. It seems like a matter of common sense. But no one ever said common sense is common.
Maryland: Can’t Swear in Baltimore While Driving
While you’d think that most drivers are adults and would know how to conduct themselves, the reality is that some misbehave. That’s one reason Baltimore bans swearing or using profane language while operating a vehicle. Dialing back the rhetoric can lessen incidents of road rage. People who break the rule can face a misdemeanor.
Kentucky: Illegal to Let Your Pet Molest a Car
In Kentucky, you had better not allow your pet to molest other people’s vehicles. Yes, the wording of the law uses the “m” word. You can face fines if your pet damages someone’s vehicle.
Which One of These Rules is the Weirdest to You?
These are some of the strangest driving laws in the country. And, unfortunately, there’s a lot more where that came from.
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