Traffic laws form one of the essential foundations for organizing daily life in modern societies. However, certain legal texts are often misread or taken out of context, turning into rumors or “legal myths” that spread among people as if they were established facts.
I felt it was important to shed light on a number of strange or inaccurate traffic laws that are widely circulated and to clarify them based on actual legal texts, relying on official sources from various countries around the world.
For example, it is often said that Singapore requires drivers to maintain a 50-meter distance from pedestrians. Imagine every driver carrying a 50-meter tape measure, getting out of their car every minute to measure the distance between themselves and any nearby pedestrians.
Of course, this is not true. In reality, the law addresses the behavior of pedestrians, not drivers. According to pedestrian crossing rules in Chapter 276 of the Singapore Road Traffic Act, Article 3 states: “Any pedestrian, cyclist, or user of a personal mobility device must use a pedestrian crossing to cross the road if one is within 50 meters, unless traffic signals indicate a shorter distance.”
This means the law requires pedestrians to use the crossing if it’s within 50 meters—not drivers to maintain that distance from pedestrians.
In Russia, there is a common belief that a driver may be fined for driving a dirty car. However, this is not entirely accurate from a legal standpoint. The law does not penalize the car being dirty in itself, but rather penalizes the obscuring of the license plate due to dirt or other factors.
Article 12.2, Part 1 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses states:
A vehicle registration plate does not comply with the standards if it fails to meet the requirements set out in the technical regulations, and is considered unreadable if at least one letter or number on the rear plate cannot be read at night from a distance of 20 meters, or on the front or rear plate during the day from the same distance.
Thus, the car being dirty on the outside is not a violation by itself—the violation occurs only if the dirt obscures the license plate.
In Germany, a legal myth is widespread that driving barefoot or with inappropriate footwear, such as high heels or flip-flops, is illegal. This is not true. The law does not explicitly prohibit any specific type of footwear or driving barefoot. However, it can be considered gross negligence if it leads to an accident, which could affect insurance coverage.
Article 1, Paragraph 2 of the German Road Traffic Act states:
Every road user must behave in such a way that others are not endangered or inconvenienced more than necessary.
Article 23, Paragraph 1 of the same law adds:
The driver is responsible for ensuring that their vision or hearing is not impaired by any devices, clothing, or footwear.
Therefore, it is recommended to wear appropriate and stable footwear while driving to ensure safety and avoid legal or insurance issues. If an accident occurs while driving with unsuitable footwear, insurance companies may interpret it as gross negligence, which could impact coverage or result in the driver being held partially liable.
In the Philippines, specifically in the capital Manila, a number coding system is implemented to restrict the movement of private vehicles during peak hours based on the last digit of their license plate numbers.
Although there is no formal law, this policy is enforced through resolutions and regulations issued by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). For example, vehicles with license plates ending in 1 or 2 are prohibited from traveling on major roads on Mondays from 7:00 to 10:00 AM and 5:00 to 8:00 PM. The purpose of this measure is to reduce traffic congestion, and it is considered an enforceable administrative restriction, despite not being codified in legislative law.
The official MMDA website announced the reimplementation of the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program—commonly known as the number coding system—in Metro Manila beginning August 15, 2022, applicable on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, excluding public holidays.
This decision followed the approval by the Metro Manila Council, which includes the mayors of the capital’s cities, during a meeting where they adopted Resolution No. 22-14 (2022). The move was prompted by the anticipated increase in vehicle volume due to the reopening of schools.
Under this system, vehicles are prohibited from traveling during the designated hours according to the following schedule:
– Monday: Plates ending in 1 and 2
– Tuesday: 3 and 4
– Wednesday: 5 and 6
– Thursday: 7 and 8
– Friday: 9 and 0
The system aims to reduce traffic volume in the capital by 20% during peak hours in the morning and evening.
The following categories are exempt from this system:
– Public and government vehicles
– Ride-hailing service vehicles
– Motorcycles
– Garbage and fuel trucks
– Large trucks
– Ambulances
– Media vehicles
– Vehicles transporting essential or perishable goods
On secondary roads, local traffic ordinances issued by each local government unit apply.
In the U.S. state of Colorado, a popular urban legend claims that driving a black car on Sundays is legally prohibited. However, this claim has no basis in law or official records—it’s simply a myth that continues to circulate unchecked, much like many other bizarre “facts” attributed to outdated or nonexistent laws and local policies.
Journalist Jason Luber from Denver7 ABC conducted a detailed investigation to verify this rumor. He contacted the Department of Public Works in Denver, which referred him to the City Attorney’s Office. There, Attorney Melissa Smith confirmed that no legal record exists of such a ban, and she found no evidence that such a law had ever existed. She suggested he follow up with the Colorado Department of Transportation, which he did.
Luber speculates that this myth may stem from what were known as Blue Laws or Sunday Laws in the 19th century, which restricted certain activities on Sundays in various U.S. states for religious or moral reasons. For instance, the sale of alcohol was often banned on Sundays. Interestingly, one such Blue Law is still in effect in Colorado, prohibiting car dealerships from operating on Sundays, as outlined in Section 6 of Colorado’s revised statutes.
In Japan, the law is clear regarding driving through muddy or water-covered roads. Article 71 of Japan’s Road Traffic Act states that a driver must either install mudguards on the vehicle, drive at a reduced speed, or take other measures to avoid causing inconvenience to others from splashing mud, dirty water, or other materials when passing through such areas.
Although the law does not explicitly mention fines, such behavior is classified as intentional nuisance, and it may lead to penalties, including fines or even license suspension in certain cases.
In Scandinavian countries, there is a general requirement for drivers to keep their vehicle headlights on during the day—a measure that has been in place for decades due to the region’s frequently overcast weather. This rule is still enforced today, and drivers can be fined for failing to comply.
In Sweden, for example, the law requires all vehicles to have their lights on at all times, including during daylight hours. According to Sweden’s official driving test website, this rule has been in effect since October 1, 1977, and it applies to all vehicles, in all areas, and in all seasons. It is part of a broader effort to improve traffic safety by enhancing vehicle visibility on the road.
The purpose of daytime headlight use is to increase a vehicle’s visibility to others, thereby reducing the risk of accidents—particularly important in Scandinavian countries that experience long periods of darkness or dim natural light during winter.
Swedish law allows drivers to use low-beam headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs), or fog lights during the day. However, it is illegal to use certain combinations of lights at the same time, such as low-beam headlights with DRLs or fog lights, in order to avoid dazzling other drivers.
It’s also important to note that daytime running lights are not a substitute for full headlights. While DRLs increase a vehicle’s visibility to others, they do not sufficiently illuminate the road ahead. Therefore, drivers are required to switch to regular headlights in low-light conditions or after dark.
In Spain, the website El Día reports that more than 61% of Spaniards aged 15 and above—approximately 24.4 million people—use glasses or contact lenses daily, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics. With such widespread usage, especially during the summer when long trips are common, the recurring question arises: Is it mandatory under Spanish law to carry a spare pair of glasses in the car?
Previously, the law required drivers who need corrective glasses to carry a spare pair in their vehicle, but this is no longer mandatory. However, drivers are still legally required to use visual correction tools while driving if their driver’s license specifies it—usually indicated by codes such as:
– 01.01 – Must wear prescription glasses
– 01.02 – Must wear contact lenses
– 01.06 – Must wear either glasses or contact lenses
Failure to comply with these requirements is considered a serious traffic violation and may result in a fine of up to €200. Therefore, drivers are advised to check the codes on their licenses and ensure they are following the visual aid requirements when driving.
In Cyprus, according to Petsas Insurance, there is no explicit law prohibiting eating or drinking while driving. However, such behavior is considered a distraction that could impair a driver’s control of the vehicle. As a result, it may be treated as a traffic violation if proven to contribute to driver negligence or an accident. In such cases, the driver may face an €85 fine and a deduction of 2 to 4 points from their traffic point record.
Under the current system, accumulating 12 points within a three-year period typically results in a license suspension by court order.
The regulations in Cyprus also prohibit more than just eating and drinking—they include:
– Using a mobile phone without a hands-free system
– Not wearing a seatbelt
– Smoking inside vehicles in the presence of minors
These examples illustrate that many common beliefs about traffic laws in different countries are not based on official legal texts, but rather on misinterpretations or incomplete information. Sometimes these rumors are humorous, but in other cases, they can mislead drivers and result in legal trouble. Therefore, it’s crucial to verify such claims through official legal or governmental sources before believing or spreading them.
