NP Rank:
Weird Road Rules of the World
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 worldThe 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.
![]()
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.
Crowd Power
-
Broken Simulacra
Bureaucrat's Paradise, Australia -
Barry Artiste
Vancouver, Canada














Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (16)
at 11:55 on April 26th, 2008
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...
at 05:43 on April 27th, 2008
Having Guides, guarantees you get your bike back too. haha
at 21:18 on April 26th, 2008
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!
at 02:58 on April 27th, 2008
Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 05:50 on April 27th, 2008
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!
at 14:27 on April 27th, 2008
Barry Artiste, funny & informative!
at 14:51 on April 27th, 2008
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.
at 04:17 on May 3rd, 2008
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.
at 07:07 on May 3rd, 2008
Thanks Broken for that comment, much appreciated
at 08:17 on May 25th, 2008
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!
at 08:45 on May 25th, 2008
Whoa, now thats an accident waiting to happen. Thanks for the comments Siameye
at 09:05 on May 25th, 2008
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,
at 09:05 on May 25th, 2008
Thanks Nuke, some road rules are just nuts
at 23:19 on October 21st, 2008
Good article. Those rental cars that have been banned in Bermuda (Q industries)to control traffic was indeed weird. Badly, it feels so nuts for a one-way road to change their direction at certain hours of the day. That seems to be not organized and confusing while driving.
at 04:43 on October 22nd, 2008
Thanks for the comments and visiting Petty
at 15:08 on June 22nd, 2009
taxis in australia dont need to carry a bale of hay in their trunk, wth, get your facts right