# Nonsensical Traffic Laws **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 20, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428 "2011-08-20T13:46:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/1 "2011-08-20T13:46:02Z")
In [this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14161362&posted=1#post14161362), I agreed with **jamiemcgarry** that handicap parking passes shouldn’t be used by those who are not going to be getting out of the vehicle, although this practice is legal in several states. What traffic laws do you think are also nonsensical? ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/2 "2011-08-20T14:08:08Z")
I don’t know if this qualifies, but why does the “Cell Phone Parking Lot” have handicapped spaces with signage? Right next to it is “Stay In Your Car”. WTH??? ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/3 "2011-08-20T14:53:30Z")
I don’t agree the law in OP is nonsensical. I can think of cases where it’s legitimate to park there even though the placard holder doesn’t get out. also, I can’t see any good way to enforce it. The officer would have to see the vehicle drive up, watch the entire time until they left again, then pull them over to give them a ticket. **campp** ’s example is good. At the local Home Depot, they have “Professional Parking Only” spaces, although I doubt there’s any law enforcing them. I park there. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/4 "2011-08-20T15:08:06Z")
The open container laws. I returned from hiking the other day to find that someone had dumped some empties out of their car. No garbage can or dumpster nearby. I wanted to take the trash home to dispose of it, but I would potentially be ticketed for doing it. My vehicle has no “trunk” and my dogs are in the back of the vehicle. So, I can put the empties beer bottles in my passenger area and risk prosecution or I can leave them. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/5 "2011-08-20T15:26:40Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > The open container laws. I came in here to say that. Open container laws are “thought police” laws. It’s a way to ticket you because you had the _potential_ to drive under the influence even if you have zero alcohol in your system. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/6 "2011-08-20T16:27:09Z")
> [@campp](#): > > I don’t know if this qualifies, but why does the “Cell Phone Parking Lot” have handicapped spaces with signage? Right next to it is “Stay In Your Car”. > > WTH??? What? Joe ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/7 "2011-08-20T16:58:55Z")
> [@](#): > > I can think of cases where it’s legitimate to park there even though the placard holder doesn’t get out. OK, I’m interested in knowing what those cases would be. Why couldn’t the vehicle be parked in regular parking, if the placard holder isn’t going to get out? I mean, other than it’s more convenient for the able bodied person to be able to park close in to the building. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/8 "2011-08-20T17:15:19Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > What? > > Joe Handicap spaces are generally intended to get someone’s car close to the entrance of a building. If nobody is allowed to leave their car in a cell phone parking lot (like a lot at the airport where drivers can stop and wait until the party they are picking up gives them a call that the passenger is waiting at the curb) then one wonders why handicap spaces are needed - nobody is leaving their cars. The traffic law I can’t stand is the red left turn arrow. Green turn arrows are good-they break up traffic so people can turn. But why should people turning left have to sit and wait if traffic going straight in their direction have a green, and there is no traffic going the other way? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/9 "2011-08-20T17:16:42Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > OK, I’m interested in knowing what those cases would be. Why couldn’t the vehicle be parked in regular parking, if the placard holder isn’t going to get out? I mean, other than it’s more convenient for the able bodied person to be able to park close in to the building. If the person is elderly, disabled and possibly frail, leaving them alone in the middle of a parking lot may not be a good idea. Near the door is more foot traffic and assistance/security if needed. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/10 "2011-08-20T17:18:46Z")
Handicapped spaces are generally larger than regular parking spaces. Someone who is in a wheelchair or power chair might not be able to get into the vehicle if it’s parked in a regular space, and some vans are equipped with a lift that allows the person in the chair to roll onto the lift, which then lifts the chair, person and all, into the van. All this takes up room. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/11 "2011-08-20T17:24:49Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Handicap spaces are generally intended to get someone’s car close to the entrance of a building. If nobody is allowed to leave their car in a cell phone parking lot (like a lot at the airport where drivers can stop and wait until the party they are picking up gives them a call that the passenger is waiting at the curb) then one wonders why handicap spaces are needed - nobody is leaving their cars. Obviously there is a law that there has to be a certain number of handicapped parking spaces for every number of regular ones. The law shouldn’t include those types if parking lots but it is written too broadly because it didn’t occur to the people who drafted the law to exclude that type of parking lot. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/12 "2011-08-20T17:29:20Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Handicapped spaces are generally larger than regular parking spaces. Someone who is in a wheelchair or power chair might not be able to get into the vehicle if it’s parked in a regular space, and some vans are equipped with a lift that allows the person in the chair to roll onto the lift, which then lifts the chair, person and all, into the van. All this takes up room. Yes but that is not the only reason for handicapped spots. My step-dad is getting old and has a bad foot and can walk but not very far. He needs to be parked close to the entrance too. Of course, I would never dream of parking close to the entrance with him in the car and running into the store while he waited but there could certainly be a reason why someone would need to do it. I will concede that a legitimate reason for that behavior is probably a small fraction of people who take advantage and park close just for the convenience. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/13 "2011-08-20T17:43:39Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Obviously there is a law that there has to be a certain number of handicapped parking spaces for every number of regular ones. The law shouldn’t include those types if parking lots but it is written too broadly because it didn’t occur to the people who drafted the law to exclude that type of parking lot. This is the conclusion I came to after pondering the situation. But I still think it’s funny 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/14 "2011-08-20T17:46:11Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > why should people turning left have to sit and wait if traffic going straight in their direction have a green, and there is no traffic going the other way? If the intersection consistently operates this way, a red arrow or “TURN LEFT ON LEFT ARROW ONLY” sign may, indeed, not be warranted. But there may be times of day when oncoming traffic is heavy and constant, and left-turning motorists would be tempted to advance into the intersection on a green ball, thence causing delays or blockage for the cross-street phases that follow. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/15 "2011-08-20T18:51:19Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > If the person is elderly, disabled and possibly frail, leaving them alone in the middle of a parking lot may not be a good idea. > > Near the door is more foot traffic and assistance/security if needed. > [@hajario](#): > > Yes but that is not the only reason for handicapped spots. My step-dad is getting old and has a bad foot and can walk but not very far. He needs to be parked close to the entrance too. > > Of course, I would never dream of parking close to the entrance with him in the car and running into the store while he waited but there could certainly be a reason why someone would need to do it. I will concede that a legitimate reason for that behavior is probably a small fraction of people who take advantage and park close just for the convenience. In fact, this is why I have a handicapped hangtag and plates, because I’ve fallen in the far reaches of the parking lot and nobody has been around to help me. My doctor keeps offering to write a prescription for a wheelchair or power chair, but I don’t want to be confined to a chair until it’s really necessary. And while YOU might not dream of abusing the handicapped spots, I assure you, I see quite a few people who are apparently doing so. I’m aware that some people have hidden handicaps, but I’m also aware that when my husband’s brother borrowed my husband’s car, he enjoyed using the hangtag that I used to keep in my husband’s car’s glovebox. I know because he bragged about it. And he got pissed because I made my husband remove the hangtag from then on. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/16 "2011-08-20T18:59:55Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > but I’m also aware that when my husband’s brother borrowed my husband’s car, he enjoyed using the hangtag that I used to keep in my husband’s car’s glovebox. I know because he bragged about it. And he got pissed because I made my husband remove the hangtag from then on. And a good thing you did. If he had been caught, YOU would have been at risk of a fine and losing the placard. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/17 "2011-08-21T05:04:58Z")
In fact, that’s just about what I said to my husband AND his brother. My husband’s brother just sort of shrugged it off. See, if I lost my tag and had to pay a fine, well, it wouldn’t really affect him. Yes, he does need a good slap upside the head. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/18 "2011-08-21T06:13:54Z")
Ohio requires (or maybe used to require) that drivers honk before passing. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/19 "2011-08-21T11:15:09Z")
> [@Mr\_Downtown](#): > > But there may be times of day when oncoming traffic is heavy and constant, and left-turning motorists would be tempted to advance into the intersection on a green ball, thence causing delays or blockage for the cross-street phases that follow. This doesn’t seem to be an issue on busy streets without left turn arrows, so I still contend that a red turn arrow is completely and totally unneeded. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428/20 "2011-08-21T11:35:55Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Handicap spaces are generally intended to get someone’s car close to the entrance of a building. If nobody is allowed to leave their car in a cell phone parking lot (like a lot at the airport where drivers can stop and wait until the party they are picking up gives them a call that the passenger is waiting at the curb) then one wonders why handicap spaces are needed - nobody is leaving their cars. Because perhaps the person they’re collecting has a disability. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsensical-traffic-laws/593428.md?page=2)