Strange Road Rules

Now you might think that here in Australia we have a lot of road rules, and you would be right. But on the whole at least most of our road rules make sense. Other parts of the world have their own unique take on road rules, as you will see below.

Here’s a little known local road law that makes sense when you think about it, but for some reason still brings a smile to my face. “You must not lead an animal from a vehicle, including a bicycle”. Clearly if you got this wrong it would likely end very badly for the animal you are leading, and if you’re on a bike, probably you also.

Cyprus. Most of us wouldn’t hesitate to reach for the water bottle and take a drink when driving. Do so in Cyprus however, and you could find yourself with a hefty fine. The country has made it illegal to eat and drink behind the wheel – even in the heat of summer. Russia. The Russians must have missed the western idiom, ‘a little mud never hurt anyone’. Drive a dirty car in the country and it’ll cost you around 2000 roubles (that’s around $40).

Scandinavia. Ever noticed that Volvos always have their lights on? That’s because they can’t be switched off. Scandinavian traffic laws require lights to be on at all times, due in part to the region’s gloomy conditions for a large majority of the year, but also for general safety.

Germany. A German autobahn is no place to be should your car run out of juice. Despite being famously free of speed restrictions, autobahns are ruthlessly efficient and governed by a number of serious laws. Run out of fuel, and you face a six-month driving ban or up to five years in prison.

Denmark. Generally speaking in Australia checking beneath your car for human activity is not normal behaviour. In Denmark however, road safety officials have thought of every eventuality – making it a legal requirement to check for people beneath your car before starting the engine.

Singapore. Come within fifty feet of a pedestrian in Singapore and expect a whopping fine as well as several angry catcalls from the rambler in question. The city is cleverly designed to keep motorists well away from pedestrians, and has one of the smoothest and most efficient road networks in the world.

France. If you’re pottering down to Poitiers, be aware that ‘drivers of all motor vehicles and motorcycles must carry a breathalyser’. If you don’t show the gendarme your kit when asked, you’ll get fined.

France. In France, children under 10 are not allowed to travel on the front seat of a vehicle without a special child restraint. The only exception is if the vehicle has no back seats (so they’re ok in your Lotus), no rear seatbelts (isn’t that illegal?) or if the rear seat is already occupied with children under 10 (wearing seatbelts, presumably). America. You may curse them when you’re running late, but red lights mean stop. Not stopping could have serious consequences. But in the USA, you can turn right on a red, as long as the road is clear of pedestrians and traffic.

USA. In the USA, driving laws vary from state to state. In some it is an offence to keep alcoholic beverages in the ‘cab’ of a car. So if you’re cruising down Skyline Drive, with the wind in your hair and John Denver on the stereo, stick that six-pack of Bud Lights in the boot (which is known as the ‘trunk’ when you’re Stateside).

Spain. In one-way streets in some Spanish cities you can only park on the side of the road where houses have uneven numbers on uneven days of the month, and on the side of even numbers on even days. Got it?!