We all know times change, and that means some things that were once totally fine could actually get you arrested today. There were a bunch of crazy things that used to be legal back in the day! A Reddit post has people sharing examples of those by asking, “What’s something that’s illegal now, but used to be perfectly normal?” As a child of the late 70's and 80's I remember so many of these! There was a cigarette vending machine outside the wall of my local Dairy Queen hahaha! Anyone could buy smokes! I remember students smoking in high school in 1990 when I was a freshman.
These are the top responses of crazy things that were legal:
- "Cigarette vending machines. No age restriction, just drop a couple of quarters in and pull the handle!"
- I used to buy dynamite at the hardware store. My dad and I used it to remove stumps."
- "Sending your kids to the store to buy cigarettes."
- "Lead paint and asbestos in housing."
- "Public executions."
- "Smoking indoors."
- "Our high school had a rifle club in school. Kids kept their .22s in their lockers."
- "Smoking at school. My high school had a smoking area for students."
- "Drinking and driving."
- "Not wearing a seatbelt. People used to make fun of you for wearing one."
- "I can remember when it was perfectly normal for someone to leave their kids in the car (doors unlocked and windows open) while they went inside a business. No one gave it a second thought."
- "Cocaine. It used to be in everything."
- "Child labor — and the arguments to maintain it ranged from 'Nobody is forcing them' to 'But if we ban it, our industries will no longer be competitive' and 'When they work, they are not on the streets.'
- "Driving while talking on the phone."
- "Spankings in school, including with paddles."
- "Riding around town in the back of a pickup truck. I’m someone who won’t take my car out of park if all the seatbelts aren’t fastened, but as a kid, I would jump at the chance to ride in the truck bed."
The Most Unusual Road Rules In Countries Across The World
If you look hard enough you can find some strange laws in every city, state, and country. Some are outdated and unenforced, and others still rule. If you are planning on traveling it's always a good idea to check out the legalities in your destination. But if you are planning on driving abroad? You absolutely need to be aware. Even if you aren't, it's interesting to see how other countries handle things. And there are some unusual road rules out there.
Looking4.com compiled this list of unusual driving rules throughout the world. And some are sure to shock you. From birthday suits being permitted to fines for locking your keys in your car or having to leave your headlights on at all times. Failure to comply can result in large fines.
A spokesperson from Looking4.com commented: “When driving abroad it’s wise to check out the local rules around driving before setting off to avoid unpleasant surprises. As the largest UK-owned airport operator we’ll ensure a safe and relaxed take-off, while you familiarise yourself with the rules at your destination.”
After reading these, I think I'll be sure to never drive outside of the US. Actually, I most likely would have avoided that anyway. Check out some of the most unusual road rules across the world below.
Germany
emicristea/Getty Images PlusCanada
Gabriel Shakour/Getty Images PlusSweden
f11photo/Getty Images PlusAustralia
africanpix/Getty Images PlusThailand
Philippines
fazon1/Getty Images PlusRussia
yulenochekk/Getty Images PlusCyprus
trabantos/Getty Images PlusUnited States
LUNAMARINA/Getty Images PlusHey it's not just other countries that have some peculiar traffic laws. The US is far from immune. Though considering we are used to them, they don't always seem as unusual. Visitors however feel differently. These are some of our traffic laws that are different to travelers.
