Eight Mind-Boggling Ways To Break The Law In A Car

by Bertel Schmitt

Published: March 20th, 2012

eight mind boggling ways to break the law in a car

Here are eight mind-boggling reasons why you could be pulled over, ticketed, or maybe even arrested while driving or even parking your car. They have been collected by the Criminal Justice Degrees Guide, the people who help you get a job as a police officer. They should know.

1. Your Door Is Open Too Long

According to section 811.490(b) of Oregon’s state traffic laws, it is a Class D traffic violation to leave a car door open “for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.” The unloadiong of dogs, suitcases, groceries or anything else without two legs can get you in trouble.

2. You Accidentally Screeched Your Tires

In Derby, KS., you can be pulled over and ticketed if your tires screech. The fine can be up to $500 or 30 days in jail.

3. You’re Singing A Rap Song With Your Windows Down

Section 13-53(a) of the Rockville, Maryland, municipal ordinance states that, “[a] person may not profanely curse and swear or use obscene language upon or near any street, sidewalk or highway within the hearing of persons passing by, upon or along such street, sidewalk or highway.”

4. You’re Driving Near A Bar

Several states have passed laws allowing “sobriety checkpoints” along roads with a high instance of alcohol-related accidents, as well as “no refusal” weekends in entire urban areas. In these cases, police officers in cities like Austin and Houston, Texas may stop your vehicle without probable cause.

5. You Camp In A Wagon

According to Section 86.025 of Wisconsin traffic law, it is “unlawful for any person or persons to camp in wagons [. . .] on the public highways.”

6. You Parked In Front of Dunkin Donuts on Main Street West in South Berwick, Maine

It is illegal in the township of South Berwick, Maine, to park on “Main St. (West) in front of Dunkin Donuts to a point 25 feet south.”

7 . You’re Having Sex In The Front Seat of Your Taxi During Your Shift

It is illegal for Massachusetts cab drivers to have sex in the front of their cabs if they’re on the clock. If the woman is on top, this is doubly illegal.

8. You’re A Child, And You’re Driving A Big Wheels Tonka Truck

In Canton, Ohio, it’s against municipal ordinance to “go upon any roadway” if you’re on “roller skates or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, skateboard or similar device.” The penalty is a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

Want more silly laws? There is no shortage. Know silly laws and ordinances where you live? Let’s hear them.

#BertelSchmitt

Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

More by Bertel Schmitt

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 72 comments

Flipper35 on Mar 21, 2012

My uncle was given a ticket for riding a wheelie on the sidewalk and the ticket read "Failur to maintain control". He beat it in court when the judge agreed he was in control but the judge also noted that he should be given a ticket for reckless driving the next time.

Like Reply
Flychinook on Mar 25, 2012

In my home town, doing a burnout won't get you a reckless driving ticket, but it WILL get you an "excessive noise" ticket. Strangely, I never once saw a Harley pulled over for this. Then again, this is the same town that will ticket you for "unnecessary, repetitive driving". http://www.caranddriver.com/features/the-end-of-cruising

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Ltcmgm78 Just what we need to do: add more EVs that require a charging station! We own a Volt. We charge at home. We bought the Volt off-lease. We're retired and can do all our daily errands without burning any gasoline. For us this works, but we no longer have a work commute.
Michael S6 Given the choice between the Hornet R/T and the Alfa, I'd pick an Uber.
Michael S6 Nissan seems to be doing well at the low end of the market with their small cars and cuv. Competitiveness evaporates as you move up to larger size cars and suvs.
Cprescott As long as they infest their products with CVT's, there is no reason to buy their products. Nissan's execution of CVT's is lackluster on a good day - not dependable and bad in experience of use. The brand has become like Mitsubishi - will sell to anyone with a pulse to get financed.
Lorenzo I'd like to believe, I want to believe, having had good FoMoCo vehicles - my aunt's old 1956 Fairlane, 1963 Falcon, 1968 Montego - but if Jim Farley is saying it, I can't believe it. It's been said that he goes with whatever the last person he talked to suggested. That's not the kind of guy you want running a $180 billion dollar company.