Weird Road Rules of the World

by Barry Artiste | April 26, 2008 at 03:46 pm | 809 views | 13 comments

Opinion
Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

Though strange to some, Canada and the US has many of these similar or just as weird rules, most Canadians and Americans are not aware of in other parts of the country. Some of our inane Laws would even have other people in other parts of the world thinking we were totally weird.
 IN downtown Ottawa if you ride a horse into town and tie it up in front of the Chateau Laurier (a 5 Star Hotel).  A 100 year old bylaw is still on the books that Hotel Staff must feed and water the horse for you while you are in the hotel.

Below is the story and my response in Italics placed into the story.

10 unusual traffic regulations from around the world

The rules of the road are different wherever you drive, but some international would come as a surprise to most Canadian drivers. Here are 10 unusual traffic rules we've found from around the world.

CAA

10.Many of Bangkok's one-way roads change their direction at certain hours of the day.

We have a similar route from Maple Ridge to Coquitlam on a certain stretch of Road.

Seattle and Oregon also has a similar system on the I-5

9. In traffic-heavy Manila, vehicles with licence plates ending with the numbers 1 or 2 are forbidden from operating on city roads on Mondays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Though not forbidden, during the US Gas Crisis, odd and even Licence plates on alternate days were implemented for those looking to fill up their cars.

8.Taxi drivers in Finland must pay royalty fees to the Finnish Copyright Society if they play music in their cars while transporting paying customers.

Europeans have to pay a special Tax, just for having a radio in their cars. They even have Radio Poice which scan cars on foot to see if they have a radio, some europeans install blanks over their radios in an attempt to fool the Radio Police.

Something unheard of in North America.

7.It is illegal to park on the side of the road almost everywhere in Japan.

Most highways in North America have that rule for their highways.  Go to Whistler and try parking on the side of the road in most neighbourhoods and streets. Not Allowed. Whistler even have Traffic Calming roadways. WTF is that all about? Do Roads really need Pyschoanalysis? Now thats a Fruity Law, made by even Fruitier Politicians, in the Fruitest part of British Columbia.

6.Taxis in Australia must carry a bale of hay in the trunk.

Cars wishing to take a shortcut through Montebello, Quebec Nature Reserve to their Cottages, are advised to purchase a bag of fruits and vegatables, because large Herds of Elk and Buffalo will block the roadway and hold you hostage unless you feed them.

5.In Switzerland, washing your car on Sunday is frowned
upon.

British Columbia, California and most drought ridden areas, usually have similar water restrictions, including watering your lawn, and even resort to even and odd house adresses systems.

4.South Korean drivers cannot turn left except at certain intersections where indicated.

Ever try turning left driving down Oak or Broadway streets in Downtown Vancouver?

3.In the UK, it is legal for a male to urinate in public, provided it is on the rear wheel of his motor vehicle and his right hand is on the vehicle.

Try taking a leak on the side of any roadway in North America and Smokey will have your ass,  thats what the bushes are for.

2. Rental cars have been banned in order to control road traffic in Bermuda.

Park an SUV in downtown Vancouver, and some ECO freaks will spit on the windshield or key your SUV.

Park in DTES overnight with a Late Model Car on any street, and you are SOL.  Police units at 312 Main have been trashed right in front of the station by vagrants.

1. In certain areas of Shanghai, it is illegal for drivers to honk their horns.

Actually Honking your horn for no reason, can get you a fine as well, though rarely implemented.

Sign In or Join to post comments Comments (13)

jordan

Also, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, tourists are not allowed to rent motorbikes, as the owners don't want their bikes blown up by landmines (part of this rule, though, is likely geared toward guaranteeing income to the bike-borne guides). Bicycles, though, are easily rentable...

Barry Artiste

Having Guides, guarantees you get your bike back too. haha

politisite
good stuff:

Barry Artiste, In Georgia it is illegal to wash a donkey in a bath tub.  So if your parents told you to get in the tub and wash your ass, you could go to jail.  It is also againt the law to tie a Giraffe to a telephone pole.  How that one got in, I don't know.  Oral sex is against the law in Georgia as well.  so whatever you do, dont talk about sex!

Beaulieu
good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Barry Artiste

There was also a  time in Russia when only Big Shots were allowed to have BLACK Cars.

In Africa, in some regions, I think this tradition continues as well.

 

One more thing it is against the law in North America to drive your car Barefoot.

So the Skeeters and Cleetus's of this world have to sock up!

cynthia yoo
good stuff:

Barry Artiste, funny & informative!

Barry Artiste

Thanks Cynthia, much appreciated, funny how News Media like to point out and portray Non North American traditional Laws as "strange and laughable", when we in North America have some pretty strange Laws ourselves.

Broken Simulacra

Here's another one that confuses vistors to Australia:

In Melbourne, drivers may only turn right from the left-most lane when driving in the CBD area.  This is called a "hook turn".  To do one, the driver goes to the middle of the intersection (while staying on the left-side) when the traffic light is green. When the light turns red, the driver is allowed to turn right.

I think the hook turn rule was introduced so that trams wouldn't get held up by turning vehicles.  Trams aren't so common in the suburbs but the CBD is crawling with them.

 

 

 

Barry Artiste

Thanks Broken for that comment, much appreciated

SiamEye

In Thailand priority at road junctions goes to the largest vehicle so you need to be very careful of trucks pulling out of side roads in front of you!

Barry Artiste

Whoa, now thats an accident waiting to happen.  Thanks for the comments Siameye

nukemdomis
good stuff:

Barry "good stuff" Artiste,





For people that have never been out of the country like myself and who
are not familar with driving habits from around the world, your
explanations filled in the gaps pretty well.



All of these road rules are great but the one rule that suggests you
ride around with a bag of grapefruits and a sack of pickles is really
unique.  In addition to the fruits and vegtables, I would also bring a
gun along for the ride.  



If I was ever faced with a bunch of wild animals trying to muscle me
around I'd pull out that gun and fire off a couple of rounds into the
air.  That'll most likely trigger a stampede in the opposite direction
of you.



When firing a couple of rounds into the air doesn't work and you're
faced with some brave  animals, reload and then clear a path.



nukemdomis


Barry "good stuff" Artiste,



Barry Artiste

Thanks Nuke, some road rules are just nuts

April 26, 2008 at 03:46 pm by Barry Artiste, 809 views, 13 comments

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