After traveling the world you start to realize that there are laws in which the United States seems to be the only country to enforce. Namely laws involving booze and cars.
Law #1: You must be 21 years of age to drink alcohol
This is probably the first law that comes to everyone's mind. In the U.S. you have to be 21 before you can legally drink. You're an adult at 18, you can adopt at 18, you can enter the army at 18, you can be sent to prison at 18, you can get married at 18.... but drink? Nope. All other countries I have traveled to either do not have an age restriction on drinking or don't enforce it. One big plus of that... you don't have to carry your ID with you everywhere, cause bars don't check.
Law #2: Establishments can't serve alcohol after 2am
This isn't really that big of a deal, UNTIL you start traveling and realize how much it sucks to get kicked out of the bar at 1:30-2:00am when you still want to party.
Law #3: Traffic Lights
Run a red light in the states and you'll find yourself with a couple hundred dollar ticket... but in other countries the traffic lights are merely suggestions. If it is yellow you "should" slow down, if it is red you "should" stop... or rather if you go through it there is a possibility you will get hit by oncoming traffic, and if that happens it will be your fault.
Law #4: Speed Limits
Most countries at least have the signs along the roads with a speed limit, but I have never been to another country where the speed limits are enforced. Guess they aren't in as much debt as we are and their governments aren't starved for the violation fines.
Law #5: Driving licenses
All I gotta say is in Thailand I saw what had to be 11 and 12 year old driving motorbikes. Pretty sure that means there aren't age restrictions that are enforced for driving.
Law #6: Seat belts
Yeah its pretty much useless for foreign car companies to even make cars with seat belts cause no one ever wears them.
Law #7: Drinking in public
Anywhere else in the world you can walk along the street with a beer in hand, you can sit in a park while enjoying a cocktail, you can drink wherever your heart desires. Not so in the states.
Law #8: Having a open container of alcohol in the car
Passengers cheers! Cause you can drink all you want on the way to the bar, party or concert. No one will stop you! Unless your in the states of course.
Law#9: Talking on the phone while driving
You can do whatever you want while driving... if you crash it is your own damn fault.
Law #10: Drinking and Driving
No DUI's abroad... except occasionally in Europe, but you have to be pretty smashed. This is one law that I actually support in the states. Cause its not only your life you put in danger but everyone else on the road as well.
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