Don't drive blindfolded - it's illegal

Friday, November 09, 2007

  • Alabama law voted one of world's silliest
  • No evidence of anyone being arrested for breaches
  • Other silly motoring laws from the USA

2col-Blindfold-w

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A law banning driving while blindfolded has been voted one of the most bizarre regulations in the world.

The law, which only applies in the American state of Alabama, was voted the fifth-oddest piece of legislation in the world in a poll by UKTV.

Extensive research by whatcar.com failed to find evidence of anyone who had been arrested after trying to drive while blindfolded.

However, in September 2006 British authorities decided against jailing a blind man who drove for half a mile at speeds of up to 35mph through a built-up area in Oldbury in the West Midlands.

Instead, Omed Aziz was fined £364 and - bizarrely given his incapacity - ordered to take an extended driving test should his situation ever change so that he could apply for a driving licence.

More daft laws
Voters had plenty of American motoring-related material to choose from, but only Alabama's law made the final list. Other laws voters could have chosen include:

• It is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street as long as a lantern is attached to the front of your car in Alabama (again!).

• It is illegal to tie a dog to the roof of your car in Alaska.

• It is illegal for a person to blare the horn on a vehicle at any place where cold drinks or sandwiches are served after 9pm in Arkansas.

• It is illegal in San Francisco to buff or dry your car with used underwear.

• No unoccupied vehicle may exceed 60 miles per hour in California.

• If an elephant is tied to a parking metre in Florida, the owner or attendant must deposit money in the metre.

• In Evanston, Illinois, it is unlawful to change clothes while inside a car with the curtains drawn, except during a fire.

• In Kansas, if you stop for ice cream while driving, be aware that it is unlawful to transport an ice cream cone in your back pocket.

• You will be ticketed in Massachusetts if you drive with a gorilla in the backseat of your car.

• In Whitehall, Montana, vehicles are prohibited from driving with ice picks attached to the wheels.

• It is illegal to ride a camel on the highway in Nevada.

• In Oxford, Ohio, authorities can ticket you if you consecutively drive around the town square more than 100 times.

• In Tennessee it is illegal to fire a gun at any wild game other than whales from a moving car.