If you’ve ever done any law research on legal statutes having to do with the rules of the road, you probably encountered laws forbidding speeding, talking on cell phones, drunk driving, and other activities. However, if you kept at it, your legislative history research would probably yield some other, weirder rules.
Here are a few of the strangest legal statutes ruling the roads today.
No Driving Blindfolded in Alabama.
Even though Alabama isn’t well known as being a killjoy, you wouldn’t be able to tell from their one legal statute that makes it illegal to drive while blindfolded. Guess you’ll just have to find another crazy driving stunt to pull if you’re in the Heart of Dixie.
No Swearing in Maryland.
In the Free State, it’s considered a misdemeanor to swear from a vehicle. As odd as that sounds, it sort of makes sense when you think about. The legislative intent of this legal statute is probably to curb road rage, allowing victims to legally defend themselves from aggressors. So if you have a bit of a temper as you drive, just be sure to say “dagnabit,” or “sugar,” instead of what you’d probably say otherwise.
No Cars in Las Vegas.
By far, the weirdest legal statute ruling the roads has to be Las Vegas’s ban on cars. Back when horses provided the primary mode of transportation, Las Vega authorities made automobiles illegal, since the four-wheeled vehicles would scare the horses. What makes it so weird, though, is that it’s still on the books today, because it’d cost too much to repeal. Instead, the legal statute is just ignored.
The next time you’re out driving in an unfamiliar landscape, be careful, since there might be a weird legal statute or two making things you’d normally do totally illegal. Or don’t worry, because if these weird laws show anything, the illegal things are probably activities you wouldn’t engage in while driving anyways.
If you know of any other weird legal statutes, feel free to share in the comments.