10 Weird Foreign Laws
Sep 20, 2009, 11:23 pm
#61
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
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Doesn't surprise me NSW have another law - most legislated state in the world wooo.
It's illegal to bungie jump in NSW!
ant0l: same for school leavers in NSW, just English, I didn't do any of those 3 subjects in my final years of high school (my job involves no science or maths, at least none that I hadn't learned before my final years, and I'm no slob, I won my age group in the national 50km Running Championships in 2007)
It's illegal to bungie jump in NSW!
ant0l: same for school leavers in NSW, just English, I didn't do any of those 3 subjects in my final years of high school (my job involves no science or maths, at least none that I hadn't learned before my final years, and I'm no slob, I won my age group in the national 50km Running Championships in 2007)
Sep 20, 2009, 11:57 pm
#62
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
How about LEFT on Red (for those of us who drive on the right).
here in BC (Canada) you can turn left on a red light, as long at the road you're turning onto is a one way. (2->1 or 1->1)
Only jurisdiction I know that allows 2way onto a 1way on red
here in BC (Canada) you can turn left on a red light, as long at the road you're turning onto is a one way. (2->1 or 1->1)
Only jurisdiction I know that allows 2way onto a 1way on red
Sep 21, 2009, 12:00 am
#63
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
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Flashing green traffic lights mean different things in different provinces of Canada.
In Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada), parking a car within 6 metres of the closest edge of an intersecting sidewalk at a corner is illegal, even if the curb is unpainted and there is no "no parking" sign.
In Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada), parking a car within 6 metres of the closest edge of an intersecting sidewalk at a corner is illegal, even if the curb is unpainted and there is no "no parking" sign.
Sep 21, 2009, 12:10 am
#64
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CLT
Posts: 7,249
Well if "Left turn yield on (round) green" wasn't confusing enough...Charlotte has decided to pilot the flashing yellow arrow.
You don't get a round green. You have a flashing yellow arrow that means yield to oncoming traffic. It turns to a solid yellow arrow meaning it's about to turn red, then a red arrow.
I don't mind it, but the first traffic light I interact with each day is too busy with the flashing arrow for the 2 cars that turn instead of the 10 that want to go straight.
So...Let's say I'm east-bound staying straight. After north-south go red West straight and West turning left get green round/arrow and east turning left (never more than 2 cars) get a yellow flashing arrow. This stays yellow and flashing for quite a while, then the east bound turns round green.
I think it'd be better for east-west straight to get round green and both left turns to get flashing yellow. There is very little north-south straight traffic. Most will be turning East b/c that's the way to the interstate.
You don't get a round green. You have a flashing yellow arrow that means yield to oncoming traffic. It turns to a solid yellow arrow meaning it's about to turn red, then a red arrow.
I don't mind it, but the first traffic light I interact with each day is too busy with the flashing arrow for the 2 cars that turn instead of the 10 that want to go straight.
So...Let's say I'm east-bound staying straight. After north-south go red West straight and West turning left get green round/arrow and east turning left (never more than 2 cars) get a yellow flashing arrow. This stays yellow and flashing for quite a while, then the east bound turns round green.
I think it'd be better for east-west straight to get round green and both left turns to get flashing yellow. There is very little north-south straight traffic. Most will be turning East b/c that's the way to the interstate.
Sep 21, 2009, 12:17 am
#65
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,951
In Australia - or at least Brisbane - it's worse with some signals.
Say we have a set of traffic lights where one column is for straight traffic, the other column is for traffic to turn right. Both sets have a red, yellow and green light. OK what am I getting at?
There are cases where the right turn arrow lights will start at red (stop), but then the red will disappear and there will be no right turn arrow light on. What does this mean? According to the word on the street, this means you can turn right with care (i.e. watch out for oncoming traffic, etc.). If you saw a green right turn arrow, this means you can turn right "without inhibition" (i.e. you should have full right of way, except for errant pedestrians of course). But if you see nothing, you can turn right as long as you check for oncoming traffic and before the red arrow appears again.
Confusing! Especially for intersections with this set up and a red light camera staring down.
In this light (no pun intended), new traffic signals now have a single column for the straight traffic and a single red right turn arrow light, i.e. if the red arrow shows, no turning, but if it's not lighted up, you can turn right with care.
Say we have a set of traffic lights where one column is for straight traffic, the other column is for traffic to turn right. Both sets have a red, yellow and green light. OK what am I getting at?
There are cases where the right turn arrow lights will start at red (stop), but then the red will disappear and there will be no right turn arrow light on. What does this mean? According to the word on the street, this means you can turn right with care (i.e. watch out for oncoming traffic, etc.). If you saw a green right turn arrow, this means you can turn right "without inhibition" (i.e. you should have full right of way, except for errant pedestrians of course). But if you see nothing, you can turn right as long as you check for oncoming traffic and before the red arrow appears again.
Confusing! Especially for intersections with this set up and a red light camera staring down.
In this light (no pun intended), new traffic signals now have a single column for the straight traffic and a single red right turn arrow light, i.e. if the red arrow shows, no turning, but if it's not lighted up, you can turn right with care.
Sep 21, 2009, 12:46 am
#66
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Some strange laws:
Australia (NSW):
- A permit must be issued for all price draws and the permit number must be stated in advertisement.
For everyone not living here, this means that when you hear a radio commercial and you can win a voucher they need to say that this promotion is approved under NSW Permit Number LT125235, ACT Permit Number A234534 etc.
- in political radio advertisement you need to say who spoke the ad. Not just who authorized the ad, but who the actual speakers were ("Authorized by the Australian Government, Canberra, spoken by J Lenox, D Duck and M Goldstein").
- Voting is compulsory
- In order to gain access to a club as a non-member you need to be living more than 5km away
Or the US:
- No drinking for under 21 year olds (unless you are in New Orleans) but carrying guns, voting, driving cars
- Any laws (or code of practices) around nudity on TV/Beaches
- Some (alleged) laws regulating sexual positions and practices among adults
- Sales tax(es) not included in the price
- "WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or other reproductive harm." on almost anything which is considered okay everywhere outside California.
Australia (NSW):
- A permit must be issued for all price draws and the permit number must be stated in advertisement.
For everyone not living here, this means that when you hear a radio commercial and you can win a voucher they need to say that this promotion is approved under NSW Permit Number LT125235, ACT Permit Number A234534 etc.
- in political radio advertisement you need to say who spoke the ad. Not just who authorized the ad, but who the actual speakers were ("Authorized by the Australian Government, Canberra, spoken by J Lenox, D Duck and M Goldstein").
- Voting is compulsory
- In order to gain access to a club as a non-member you need to be living more than 5km away
Or the US:
- No drinking for under 21 year olds (unless you are in New Orleans) but carrying guns, voting, driving cars
- Any laws (or code of practices) around nudity on TV/Beaches
- Some (alleged) laws regulating sexual positions and practices among adults
- Sales tax(es) not included in the price
- "WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or other reproductive harm." on almost anything which is considered okay everywhere outside California.
Sep 21, 2009, 1:29 am
#67
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
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In Australia - or at least Brisbane - it's worse with some signals.
Say we have a set of traffic lights where one column is for straight traffic, the other column is for traffic to turn right. Both sets have a red, yellow and green light. OK what am I getting at?
There are cases where the right turn arrow lights will start at red (stop), but then the red will disappear and there will be no right turn arrow light on. What does this mean? According to the word on the street, this means you can turn right with care (i.e. watch out for oncoming traffic, etc.). If you saw a green right turn arrow, this means you can turn right "without inhibition" (i.e. you should have full right of way, except for errant pedestrians of course). But if you see nothing, you can turn right as long as you check for oncoming traffic and before the red arrow appears again.
Confusing! Especially for intersections with this set up and a red light camera staring down.
In this light (no pun intended), new traffic signals now have a single column for the straight traffic and a single red right turn arrow light, i.e. if the red arrow shows, no turning, but if it's not lighted up, you can turn right with care.
Say we have a set of traffic lights where one column is for straight traffic, the other column is for traffic to turn right. Both sets have a red, yellow and green light. OK what am I getting at?
There are cases where the right turn arrow lights will start at red (stop), but then the red will disappear and there will be no right turn arrow light on. What does this mean? According to the word on the street, this means you can turn right with care (i.e. watch out for oncoming traffic, etc.). If you saw a green right turn arrow, this means you can turn right "without inhibition" (i.e. you should have full right of way, except for errant pedestrians of course). But if you see nothing, you can turn right as long as you check for oncoming traffic and before the red arrow appears again.
Confusing! Especially for intersections with this set up and a red light camera staring down.
In this light (no pun intended), new traffic signals now have a single column for the straight traffic and a single red right turn arrow light, i.e. if the red arrow shows, no turning, but if it's not lighted up, you can turn right with care.
Sep 21, 2009, 1:42 am
#68
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,951
Oh well. Whatever, it's a dumb system.
Then again, in Malaysia, the right turn is denoted by a single green arrow which turns on when you can turn right. It flashes when it's about to turn off (i.e. get ready to stop turning right), then when you can't turn right there is no arrow.
Then again, in Malaysia, the right turn is denoted by a single green arrow which turns on when you can turn right. It flashes when it's about to turn off (i.e. get ready to stop turning right), then when you can't turn right there is no arrow.
Sep 21, 2009, 2:01 am
#69
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These all pertain to Australia; some are laws, some are rules, some are just plain silly conventions:
In Australian international airports, use of cameras, transmitters and mobile phones is prohibited in the customs area (usually defined as the baggage reclaim hall and the customs inspection area). Most people seem to use their mobiles, however, and get away with it.
In Australian international airports, use of cameras, transmitters and mobile phones is prohibited in the customs area (usually defined as the baggage reclaim hall and the customs inspection area). Most people seem to use their mobiles, however, and get away with it.
Originally Posted by anat0l
You could get done in for copyright infringement for singing supposedly well-known, public songs such as 'Happy Birthday' and 'Waltzing Matilda'.
Originally Posted by anat0l
In a similar vein, headline advertised fares for air travel in Australia must be shown inclusive of taxes and charges. I'm not sure if this is a law or not, but it has been hotly contested in various consumer affairs arenas so the airlines have been forced to comply. I have to say though that I like it this way - having a whole bunch of fares headlined as "$0" would mean very little to me. So there, rest of the world (except for NZ, which I think has the same rule).
Originally Posted by anat0l
If you are driving too slow in the right lane, you can be fined.
Originally Posted by anat0l
Similarly, you can also be fined for driving too slow on a highway.
Originally Posted by anat0l
In fact, in Australia, the application of fines is not consistent. (OK no surprises there) There are rules that people break all the time, but if the police feel like giving you a hard time then they can always find something wrong with you to give you a fine. Of course, a lot of people naturally b**** and moan about "revenue raising" when they do get caught.
Sep 21, 2009, 2:07 am
#70
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Oh well. Whatever, it's a dumb system.
Then again, in Malaysia, the right turn is denoted by a single green arrow which turns on when you can turn right. It flashes when it's about to turn off (i.e. get ready to stop turning right), then when you can't turn right there is no arrow.
Then again, in Malaysia, the right turn is denoted by a single green arrow which turns on when you can turn right. It flashes when it's about to turn off (i.e. get ready to stop turning right), then when you can't turn right there is no arrow.
Sep 21, 2009, 2:08 am
#71
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: QF LTG:
Posts: 1,859
Some strange laws:
Australia (NSW):
- A permit must be issued for all price draws and the permit number must be stated in advertisement.
For everyone not living here, this means that when you hear a radio commercial and you can win a voucher they need to say that this promotion is approved under NSW Permit Number LT125235, ACT Permit Number A234534 etc.
- in political radio advertisement you need to say who spoke the ad. Not just who authorized the ad, but who the actual speakers were ("Authorized by the Australian Government, Canberra, spoken by J Lenox, D Duck and M Goldstein").
- Voting is compulsory
- In order to gain access to a club as a non-member you need to be living more than 5km away
Australia (NSW):
- A permit must be issued for all price draws and the permit number must be stated in advertisement.
For everyone not living here, this means that when you hear a radio commercial and you can win a voucher they need to say that this promotion is approved under NSW Permit Number LT125235, ACT Permit Number A234534 etc.
- in political radio advertisement you need to say who spoke the ad. Not just who authorized the ad, but who the actual speakers were ("Authorized by the Australian Government, Canberra, spoken by J Lenox, D Duck and M Goldstein").
- Voting is compulsory
- In order to gain access to a club as a non-member you need to be living more than 5km away
It may not be a law but it should be, not using "S" in words like authorised instead if the US version which has a "Z" (pronounced Zed here in Australia by the way
).Actually voting in Australia is not compulsory, what is compulsory is that you get your name checked off the roll at every election, you don't actually have to vote. And as much as some people hate it it does have one benefit, you are assured of having proper voting facilities and not waiting hours to vote like we see in the US on voting day.
One of the strange ones we often hear of from the US is the requirement to leave your bags unlocked so that the TSA doesn't have to work too hard to steal things.
Gun laws in the US seem amazing, surely the rights of society are greater than the individual? Still I should stop here rather than condemn this thread to OMNI/PR.
Sep 21, 2009, 2:19 am
#72
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Sep 21, 2009, 2:38 am
#73
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Perhaps a better title for this thread would be exposing myths about Australian law!
Sep 21, 2009, 2:53 am
#74
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sitting down
Posts: 557
Driving in the UK on the other hand (what's with National Speed Limit not actually showing a number?! 
) isn't exactly a walk in the park.
) isn't exactly a walk in the park.
Sep 21, 2009, 3:28 am
#75
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Guernsey has the same concept although it is signed as filter in turn.
What I used to find really trying was the old French 'priorite a droite' when taken to its extreme. Yes, in unmarked city streets, it's a great principle. But when a farm track meets a Route Nationale that happens to be lacking its yellow diamonds... This seems to largely have disappeared now, though.
The other thing that used to confuse me was when I was staying in Brussels and working just over the state border in Flanders. Driving to work would take me in between Brussels and Flanders several times, through many, many roundabouts. The problem? Well, at the time, in Brussels, you gave priority to the right on roundabouts (traffic entering) and in Flanders, priority to the left (traffic already on). No end of confusion. Oh, and flashing headlights indicates "I'm going on", not "you go on", just to add to it.