6 Lesser Known Car Safety Laws
Depending on the state, there are always a number of car safety laws that, for some reason or another, are not very well known. Due to the sheer number of ordinances, statutes and codes on the books in each municipality, county and state, it is virtually impossible to know exactly what is prohibited where. Unfortunately for drivers, ignorance of the laws in question does not free them from their constraints. Whether they are roadside laws, hitchhiking laws or passenger laws–obscure or otherwise–you are bound to them wherever they may be in effect. Traffic awareness involves not just the aspect of driving, but what rules are in place in any given location.
Uniform Vehicle Code Laws
The Uniform Vehicle Code is a set of traffic ordinances set forth at the federal level and adopted state by state. They may differ in some places, not be enforced, and some may seem obvious as to not require a law. Regardless, they are there.
- Controlled-Access Roadway Restrictions: It is up to the state to determine if a controlled access road may be entered by a pedestrian. In other words, states may prohibit hitchhiking from an on ramp or anywhere along the highway.
- Pedestrians on Highways: If there is no sidewalk that may be used, a pedestrian must walk far enough away from the highway boundary line as to remain safe from passing cars. To put it another way, walking on the highway is illegal.
- Pedestrians Looking for Rides: This law stipulates that pedestrians may not stand on the roadway and solicit rides. This does not explicitly ban hitchhiking, though, for the shoulder is not counted as part of the roadway.
- Passenger in Trailer: It is unlawful in many states to carry a passenger in the trailer bed of a truck. This pertains to the requirement for seatbelt use for all passengers. Additionally, carrying a passenger on the external part of the vehicle is also an offense.
- Unlawful Coasting: Believe it or not, it is unlawful to coast down a hill by disengaging your clutch.
- Seatbelt Exemptions: Seatbelts are not required to be worn by passengers if the law did not require seatbelt use when the vehicle in question was manufactured, provided seatbelts have not been installed.
Because of the sheer number of traffic laws from state to state, many of them will be obscure. Unfortunately, not knowing the law does not protect you from being cited because of it. That fact is a byproduct of society where it seems more laws are added constantly. If you ever have the time and inclination, seek out your state’s vehicle code book. You will find hundreds of pages of regulations and codes that cover almost every conceivable eventuality. Indeed, some of them may seem ridiculous, but they are in the books nonetheless. Familiarize yourself with some of the lesser known safety laws to protect yourself from an unintentional violation.
