10 Strange Laws you should be aware of in the United States

10 Strange Laws you should be aware of in the United States

The United States of America has some crazy and bizarre laws that surprise a visitor as they are not normal laws you would expect when visiting a country. The state each have bizarre laws which may not be found in another state. When enacting these laws, they may have made sense then but in today’s society, the laws make one question why they were made in the first place.

Furthermore, knowing the weird laws can be fun if one uses the knowledge to play some trivia with family and friends. Therefore, this article will look at the ten weird laws that a visitor is sure to find in the United States.

1. It is illegal to drive when blindfolded in Alabama

The phrase always keep your eyes on the road seems to have had a different meaning in this state in that one interprets it as not ensuring that you do not start admiring the scenery while driving. However, in Alabama, it means that one should not have their eyes covered. It is even weird to think that people were driving while blindfolded and that is why the law was enacted. Alabama seems to have the most bizarre law among the 50 states.

2. It is illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub in Arizona

A picture of a bathtub-Wikimedia

The state of Arizona prohibits a donkey from sleeping in a bathtub. The fact that a donkey slept in a bathtub in the first place for the rule to be enacted is just weird. First, what was a donkey doing inside a bathroom until it slept in a bathtub?

This law was put in place in 1920 after a local dam broke and flooded a rancher’s home. The floods whisked away the donkey that was sleeping in a rub miles away which prompted the town to start looking for him. After he was found, the town passed a law that banned donkeys from sleeping in a bathtub though it seems they are allowed to stay there while awake.

3. In Louisiana, one cannot send a surprise pizza to a friend

A superman pizza delivery by Axelv-Wikimedia

In Louisiana, it is illegal for someone to send a pizza to a person’s house without their permission. This law is a weird one since if one wanted to surprise someone, then they could be fined for it. Therefore, one should just buy the pizza for themselves instead of surprising someone

4. It is illegal to keep a couch on a porch in Colorado

People always want to relax and catch up with family and friends on the pouch as they unwind. However, in Colorado having a couch on the porch is illegal. This law was enacted after Boulder caught the University of Colorado burning couches.

However, it is yet to be determined whether the law helped in curbing the couch’s bonfire.

5. In Alaska, a drunk person cannot stay on the bar premises

A hotel bar by Olla Harridge-Wikimedia

Another weird law in Alaska is that a person who was at a bar drinking and then get drunk is not permitted to stay on the premises. This law beats the purpose of being at the bar in that when someone is drinking at an establishment then they are bound to get drunk. The police force even sends police officers dressed in civilian clothes to patrol the joints and arrest anyone drunk at the bar. Alaska seems to be the only state that has this rule.

6. One cannot put an animal in the back of an open vehicle in Alaska

Alaska has a strict policy on animals being put on the back of an open vehicle. The way the furry beings like feeling the air on their face when travelling with their carers, the law is weird as it is well known that the furry animals enjoy the trip. This law was passed after a small dog caused a disturbance on the highway.

7. Billboards are illegal in Alaska, Maine, Vermont and Hawaii

A picture of a billboard by Andrewj0131-Wikimedia

In three states, it is not allowed for billboards to be erected anywhere within the state. This law however has some exceptions like public notices which can be posted. This law was passed as part of the urban beautification program which was enacted in 1927. This program sought to have a clean state that was not filled with many billboards as they would disrupt the scenery of the place.

Therefore, marketing professionals have to look for other creative ways to advertise their products.

8. In Colorado, one has to get a permit to modify the weather

The state of Colorado prohibits business people to modify the weather without a permit. This law is weird in that it is not the norm to hear of people modifying the weather to suit them. Usually, we adapt to the weather that is present and just learn to live with it.

However, it is understandable why this law was enacted in that Colorado features a lot of ski resorts which are only booming if there is snow for the guests to ski on. Therefore businesses want the weather to remain ideal for them to reap maximum profits.

9. Dwarf tossing is illegal in Florida

People who own restaurants, bars and any other establishment where liquor may be sold can be fined up to participate in or allow a contest of dwarf-tossing in their establishment. This is weird in that why would there be a contest that involves tossing people in the first place. Also, why would anyone allow another person to be tossed in their establishment or anywhere as a matter of fact?

If there is a law that prohibits the activity, it means that it was practised and thus making it weird.

10. It is illegal to sweep debris into the streets in Idaho

Trash on the streets-Wikimedia

The state of Idaho has a strict law on trash being swept on the streets, alleys, highways and any roads that are used by the public. When found a person will face a huge fine or jail. This is a good law and it would be great if other cities enforced it in that it will ensure a clean country.