In light of news that Massachusetts has been charging $275to fight a traffic ticket whether you win or lose, I was wondering what other ridiculousregulations were going on out there in the car world. I’m not talking about requirementsthat ensure your fuel injectors and turbochargers are in good working condition.I’m talking about some ridiculous, yet very real, traffic regulations such asit being illegal for a driver in Alabama to be blindfolded while operating avehicle. This is obviously so dangerous that it should be illegal, but I wonderwhat happened down the line that this had to become an actual law.
Some of these laws are so old and just haven’t yet beenabolished, while others are due to not-so-smart people doing some not-so-smartthings. In California, no vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 mph. Also,women may not drive in a house coat. In Arcadia, CA peacocks have the right ofway to cross any street, and in Temecula ducks have the right of way at alltimes. In San Diego, it is illegal to shoot jackrabbits from the back of a streetcar.Is your car getting dirty? Don’t go to Downey, CA where it is illegal to washyour car in the street.Head over to the east coast and you’ll find some prettycrazy regulations as well. In Hartford, CT it is illegal to cross the street ifyou happen to be walking on your hands. In Marietta, GA it is illegal to spitfrom a car or bus, but you can from a truck! In Tennessee, driving is NOT to bedone while asleep. In Virginia Beach, if you are drunk and not driving, but thedriver is drunk as well, you can BOTH receive a DUI. What if you happen to hita pedestrian in Sarasota, FL? Be prepared to pay the $78 fine.
While many of these regulations were made many, many yearsago and just haven’t been abolished, they are all still active laws in theirrespective states. While I don’t think that a woman would be ticketed fordriving a car without a man waving a flag in front of it (yes, this is still “illegal”in Louisiana), it is interesting to read some of these outdated traffic laws. Andback to Massachusetts charging $275 to fight a ticket. They say these fees arenecessary as thousands of people appeal tickets which are causingrising administrative costs. Sounds to me like pressure to just pay your ticketwhether it was deserved or not, and I don’t think you should be charged todefend yourself in court.
