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We're all dirty, dirty criminals. If you've never broken a traffic law then 1. you're lying and 2. why are you so weird? These are some of the easiest laws to break because the cops can't be everywhere at once. It also doesn't hurt that many of these laws are annoying enough for us to give up our normal ways as upstanding citizens. But every once and a while we'll get caught slipping. And, because traffic court is such a bitch, life would be so much better if we erased a few traffic laws. See the ones we could do without in 15 Traffic Laws We Wish Didn't Exist.
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Neons
Why We Hate It: When it comes to taste forget underglow lights. Those joints are mad corny. But that doesn't mean they should be illegal. There are a lot worse crimes than shining light on the ground every where your car goes. The reasoning behind the law is that people might see the lights and confuse the car with an emergency vehicle. Really, who's that dumb?
Cutting Through a Gas Station to Avoid a Red Light
Why We Hate It: The technical term for this is "cutting through private property." Funny, we thought it was just a short cut. The same people who flip on their lights to cut through a red light won't let us life hack our way around a stop. Harsh.
Not Signing the Back of Your Registration
Why We Hate It: For real. This is a crime. Despite the fact that you could easily sign it then and there, a cop can ticket you for your registration being absent of your signature.
Vehicle Searches
Why We Hate It: It is way too easy for a cop to search your car. Unlike your home, police only need probable cause to search your vehicle. Not a warrant. If a cop wants to look around they will. Period.
Passengers Not Allowed in Truck Beds
Why We Hate It:: It's magical to hop in the back of a truck, wind blowing through your hair, with a group of friends. How dare the government try to take that away from us.
Helmet Requirements
Why We Hate It:: States are divided on this one. A cross-country trip means taking off on putting on your helmet from state to state. States with the requirement need to let us live. Or die, rather.
No U-Turns
Why We Hate It: Another matter of common sense. Anybody who u-turns with a full rush of oncoming traffic doesn't deserve to have a license in the first place.
Window Tint
Why We Hate It: Cars just look better with darker tint. My POS Ford Contour became slightly less POSy when I through window tint on it. But what's legal in my home state of Colorado is arbitrarily illegal in Missouri, where I go to school.
Midnight Red
Why We Hate It: All neighborhood stop lights should go to a flashing red late at night. There are few things more frustrating than sitting at a red light on an empty road for minutes. And if you're on a motorcycle it can be even worse. Sometimes the magnets don't recognize the small amount of metal on the bike to set the cycle in motion.
Seat Belt Requirements
Why We Hate It: Ah, the great seat belt debate. This is where the little libertarian (no Ron Paul) comes out of us. We all know the risks of driving without a seat belt. Should we choose to maneuver without one (and happen to die in the process), that's on us.
No Left at a Red Light
Why We Hate It:: This just comes down to common sense (we realize the law is due to a lot of people not having ANY). Yes, taking a left turn at a red light is more risky and dangerous than a right one, but give us some credit here. We know how to look both ways and make sure the coast is clear.
Speeding on Highway
Why We Hate It:: WE WANT THE AUTOBAHN (Well, the no-limit parts, at least. Autobahn just means "highway" in German). We have more sense than to argue against speed limits on small roads. But on highways: come on. Discretion is key here and most of us have the good sense to know when we can hit 90 on the freeway and when we should keep it cool at 65. Have you ever tried to drive through Kansas going 75? It's prolonged torture.
Warming Up Your Car
Why We Hate It: If you're from a city with four real seasons you know all about the winter morning struggle. The move is to start up your car, crank the heat and retreat back inside until your car is no longer colder than the Yeti's dick. Unfortunately, if a cop comes by and sees your empty, running car, they'll hit you with a ticket. What you call dodging the harsh winter they call enticing criminals.
California Stop
Why We Hate It: You know a cop is bored when they pull you over for not coming to a complete halt at a stop sign. Haven't they ever heard the phrase "it's the effort that counts?" As long as you slow down enough to ensure you won't run someone over like you're Walter White and the crosswalk is filled with child-employing drug dealers, then it should all be good.
