Top 20 most unusual road rules in the world

While our drivers are mastering the innovations in road markings and shuddering at the possibility of getting a fine for exceeding the speed limit by 10 km/h, the basic principles of driving generally remain stable. Outside our country, these rules are also practically the same. However, along with universal norms, there are quite unusual requirements found there. We decided to study these non-standard rules and came to the conclusion: some of them are a legacy of ancient times, while others are more like urban legends than real laws.

Germany: Frau, cover yourself!

Under German law, a car is considered personal property. Therefore, it is allowed to drive while completely naked - provided, of course, that you do not ostentatiously show your intimate parts, as this is still considered unacceptable.

Germany: no braking on the autobahn, even if you don't have fuel

On German autobahns it is strictly forbidden to stop your car even if you run out of gasoline. Given that there are no formal speed limits on the autobahn, the authorities aim to ensure safety by eliminating stopping on high-speed roads.

Germany: washing cars on Sunday is discouraged

Germany has strict rules regarding the time and day when you can take care of your car. Thus, it is forbidden to wash your vehicle on Sunday or holidays. Apparently, these days it is better to relax and rest!

Canada: don't overtake the beast on the highway

In Ontario, located in Canada, drivers are prohibited from overtaking animals on the highway. According to s. 173 of the Ontario Street Traffic Act, you can't "drive a horse or otherwise use an animal to compete on the road" on the highway. So if you see a running moose or bear on the road, don't even think about overtaking them, despite the power of your vehicle. Otherwise, you risk being taken to the police station.

USA, Arkansas: you can't honk after 21:00 in the parking lot of a cafe

There are many unusual traffic laws in the United States, especially in the state of Arkansas. Let's say you're stopped at your favorite coffee shop and see someone you know on the other side of the road. How would you let him or her know of your presence? Usually, people signal; however, if you choose to do so after 9 p.m., you run the risk of getting a ticket. The reason for this remains unclear, but that is the law.

USA, Nevada: attention - camels on the road

One of the mysterious traffic rules that seems to have come out of nowhere. The state of Nevada has a law that warns drivers against camels on the freeway. So, if you suddenly decide to ride a camel in Las Vegas, remember that it is forbidden to move on the freeway on this vehicle.

USA: non-standard traffic rules

.In the USA, different cities and states sometimes surprise with their unusual automobile rules. For example, in the state of Tennessee, you can not shoot whales from a car. In Alabama, it is unacceptable to drive a car blindfolded. In Rhode Island, even a closed bottle of beer in a car can cause problems. They say in Massachusetts you can't carry a gorilla in the back seat, and in San Francisco it's illegal to wipe your car with laundry. The loud horn ban in Oxford, Mississippi, makes sense in the context of preserving the peace and safety of horses, which may be startled by a loud horn and cause an accident or other unwanted incident. The fine for hitting a pedestrian in the city of Sarasota, Florida, does seem ridiculous compared to the magnitude of the potential damage, especially for Americans accustomed to high fines for such offenses

Cyprus: don't quench your thirst while driving

Imagine driving down a scenic road with your family, enjoying the journey, but eventually feeling your throat dry. However, in Cyprus, if you want to quench your thirst, you should park. It's unclear if this rule applies to other drinks or if only water can cause problems.

France: it is better to carry a breathalyzer with you at all times

France may win hearts with its wines and drinks, but they are extremely strict about drunk driving. If the level of alcohol in your blood exceeds 0.02%, you will have an unpleasant encounter with the police. To avoid undesirable situations, French law requires you to have a breathalyzer in your car. This approach is certainly justified, as drunk driving is often the cause of traffic accidents with a tragic outcome.

Manila: Driving time restrictions vary by number

In Manila, the number of days per week you can drive depends on the last four digits of your license plate number. Failure to comply with this rule can result in a fine. While this may seem unusual, for many regions such measures can help combat pollution.

Turkmenistan: black cars are outlawed

In 2015, the leadership of Turkmenistan unwrittenly banned importing black-colored cars into the country. Probably considering this color as unhappy, even the state services switched to white ones

Australia: Put the keys away and close the windows

In Australia, you may not walk more than three meters away from your car if the keys are left in the ignition or the windows are left open. The fine for breaking this rule varies from region to region. In New South Wales, this violation will cost 99 Australian dollars (about 77 USD), and in Victoria - 176 dollars (about 137 USD).

Australia: don't "honk" at cows

In Australia, it is illegal to use a horn to encourage animals to move along the road. So, for example, if you encounter a herd of cows on the road, you must not honk or actively gesticulate. Instead, you should stop at the edge of the road, turn off your engine and wait for the animals to pass quietly. Violators of this rule in Victoria can receive a $141 fine.

Denmark: don't lie under a car with the engine running

Denmark leaves us perplexed with a law that says you can't be under a car when the engine is running. This creates difficulties for car mechanics, for sure. And by the same rule, the driver must make sure there are no children under the car before starting it. This law has been the subject of many jokes, among them: "Danish children prefer to read fairy tales under the car".

Montreal: beware of accidently blocking access to your garage

Montreal places restrictions on parking in front of one's own garage, especially if it obstructs the passage of other cars or even the owner himself. Presumably, such measures are intended to ensure free passage in case of emergency, such as a fire.

Russia: ban on unreadable license plates

A number of foreign sources mention Russia because of its dirty car law. People abroad are sometimes surprised by such regulations, believing that Russia has decided which car is considered road worthy. In fact, in Russia there is only a fine of 500 rubles for dirty license plates. But the devil is in the details, isn't it? It's much more interesting to declare, "In Russia, dirty cars are penalized."

Russia, Tomsk: ban on spraying pedestrians from puddles

Since 2014, Tomsk has introduced a rule that provides for a fine of 500 rubles for drivers who splash pedestrians passing by with water from a puddle. Thus, local laws are approaching the standards of some Asian countries, where respect for pedestrians comes first.

China: Disrespect for pedestrians is an important aspect of driving

In China, local drivers believe that giving way to pedestrians, even in a crosswalk, is a shameful act. Apparently, they believe that the driver behind the wheel is a notch higher than the pedestrian. However, this attitude is most likely the result of local traffic laws that shun pedestrians. It is believed that pedestrians may deliberately provoke accidents in order to obtain compensation.

Macedonia: drunken passengers must go on foot

Macedonian laws put a ban not only on drunk driving, but also on being in a car while intoxicated, even as a passenger. Let's imagine what it's like if you combine this law with the Chinese law. So, even if you're not driving, you still shouldn't consume alcohol before traveling.

Saudi Arabia: no woman behind the wheel.

And in Saudi Arabia, the ban on women driving has been one of the most talked about topics in the world. This ban was imposed based on religious and cultural norms and traditions, but also because of social and economic considerations. Nevertheless, over time, public opinion in Saudi Arabia has been changing

And in Saudi Arabia, the ban on women driving has been one of the most talked about topics in the world. This ban was imposed based on religious and cultural norms and traditions, but also because of social and economic considerations. However, over time, public opinion in Saudi Arabia changed and many called for the ban to be lifted. Eventually, in 2017, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia issued a decree that women were allowed to drive, and the ban was officially lifted in 2018.

In the history of many countries, you can find laws that seem strange or outdated to us today, but at one time they were passed for certain reasons. In any case, such stories and rules serve as an interesting reminder of how cultures, societies and their views on many things change.