Strange Laws
Brazil
July 2, 2000 - Article 2 of Resolution 81/98 of the National Traffic Council (CONTRAN) obliges the deceased in accidents to undergo an alcohol content examination. The exam aims to verify the deceased's fault in the traffic accident. The problem is that Article 3 punishes deceased drivers who refuse to take the exam with fines and suspension of their driving license: "The driver of a motor vehicle who infringes the provisions of the previous article shall be subject to the administrative penalties established in Article 156 of the Brazilian Traffic Code." The good news is that the deceased doesn't have their license revoked, and can drive again after the suspension period. The bad news is that, if the deceased have to undergo a breathalyzer test, the devices will need to be adapted to measure so-called "mummy breath," ironically stated columnist Paulo Sant'ana, from the newspaper Zero Hora. The problem occurred because articles 2 and 3 were inverted. Article 3 actually refers to Article 1, which deals with living drivers. (Source: Jornal do Brasil)
In Quixeramobim (CE), councilman José Filho invented, in 1991, a bill that aimed to protect animals: The tails of animals should be painted fluorescent yellow.
In Barra do Garças, MT, the mayor sanctioned Law 1840 in 1995, related to extraterrestrial beings: It creates a reserve for UFO (unidentified flying object) landings.
Eurico de Miranda, Deputy in 1965, suggested the creation of a law that would 'import' one million Portuguese people to populate the Amazon.
In 1990, in Brasília, the Chamber of Deputies discussed a bill that defined what ham is. What was decided, according to Article 1: That the product obtained from the pork thigh or turkey thigh and drumstick is ham.
In Brazil, a man can request the annulment of marriage if he discovers that his wife was not a virgin.
United States
Newark, New Jersey. It is forbidden to buy ice cream after 6:00 PM.
Ottumwa, Iowa - USA. Flirting is prohibited. It is forbidden for males, within the municipality, to wink at females to whom they have not been introduced.
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, it is illegal to have sex with a truck driver inside a tent.
In Bozeman, Montana, it is forbidden to engage in any sexual act in the front yard of your house after sunset if it requires you to be naked.
In Tremonton, Utah, a law prohibits a woman from having sex with a man while driving an ambulance. In addition to conventional penalties, her name will be published in the local newspaper. The man, however, receives no punishment.
In Florida, single, divorced, or widowed women cannot skydive on Sunday mornings.
In the city of Natchez, Missouri, a law prohibits elephants from drinking beer.
In the same zoological vein, a Michigan law establishes that crocodiles cannot be tied to fire hydrants.
In Baltimore, it is illegal to take a lion to the cinema.
Turkey
In Turkey, in the 16th and 17th centuries, anyone caught drinking coffee was condemned to death.
Micronesia
In Micronesia, men are not allowed to wear ties... Don't ask me where Micronesia is.
Legal Curiosities II
Strange Laws
Brazil
July 2, 2000 - Article 2 of Resolution 81/98 of the National Traffic Council (CONTRAN) obliges the deceased in accidents to undergo an alcohol content examination. The exam aims to verify the deceased's fault in the traffic accident. The problem is that Article 3 punishes deceased drivers who refuse to take the exam with fines and suspension of their driving license: "The driver of a motor vehicle who infringes the provisions of the previous article shall be subject to the administrative penalties established in Article 156 of the Brazilian Traffic Code." The good news is that the deceased doesn't have their license revoked, and can drive again after the suspension period. The bad news is that, if the deceased have to undergo a breathalyzer test, the devices will need to be adapted to measure so-called "mummy breath," ironically stated columnist Paulo Sant'ana, from the newspaper Zero Hora. The problem occurred because articles 2 and 3 were inverted. Article 3 actually refers to Article 1, which deals with living drivers. (Source: Jornal do Brasil)
In Quixeramobim (CE), councilman José Filho invented, in 1991, a bill that aimed to protect animals: The tails of animals should be painted fluorescent yellow.
In Barra do Garças, MT, the mayor sanctioned Law 1840 in 1995, related to extraterrestrial beings: It creates a reserve for UFO (unidentified flying object) landings.
Eurico de Miranda, Deputy in 1965, suggested the creation of a law that would 'import' one million Portuguese people to populate the Amazon.
In 1990, in Brasília, the Chamber of Deputies discussed a bill that defined what ham is. What was decided, according to Article 1: That the product obtained from the pork thigh or turkey thigh and drumstick is ham.
In Brazil, a man can request the annulment of marriage if he discovers that his wife was not a virgin.
United States
Newark, New Jersey. It is forbidden to buy ice cream after 6:00 PM.
Ottumwa, Iowa - USA. Flirting is prohibited. It is forbidden for males, within the municipality, to wink at females to whom they have not been introduced.
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, it is illegal to have sex with a truck driver inside a tent.
In Bozeman, Montana, it is forbidden to engage in any sexual act in the front yard of your house after sunset if it requires you to be naked.
In Tremonton, Utah, a law prohibits a woman from having sex with a man while driving an ambulance. In addition to conventional penalties, her name will be published in the local newspaper. The man, however, receives no punishment.
In Florida, single, divorced, or widowed women cannot skydive on Sunday mornings.
In the city of Natchez, Missouri, a law prohibits elephants from drinking beer.
In the same zoological vein, a Michigan law establishes that crocodiles cannot be tied to fire hydrants.
In Baltimore, it is illegal to take a lion to the cinema.
Turkey
In Turkey, in the 16th and 17th centuries, anyone caught drinking coffee was condemned to death.
Micronesia
In Micronesia, men are not allowed to wear ties... Don't ask me where Micronesia is.
