For questions specifically related to the operation of a vehicle on the road. Consider also traffic, vehicle, and speeding.
Questions tagged [driving]
268 questions
36
votes
2 answers
Why would someone get a fine when using a disabled parking space when the disabled person is not in the car?
An article in LA Times about someone parking on a disabled parking space without the disabled person being in the car:
(...) I saw a woman pull into a disabled parking space and begin to
exit her car.
Two men in plain clothes flashed badges as…
WoJ
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31
votes
12 answers
Why are the penalties for causing an accident while drunk driving much harsher than for drunk driving?
When people drink and drive and then cause an accident especially where if someone dies they get years and years in prison but just the act of drunk driving is punished way more lenient. Shouldn't the 2, drunk driving and drunk driving then causing…
Bigbob23
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28
votes
12 answers
In Europe, are you allowed to enter an intersection on red light in order to allow emergency vehicles to pass?
I've seen a video where cars are stopped at a red light, when an emergency vehicle approaches from behind with sirens on. Emergency vehicle picks the lane with the least traffic, which only has one car in it. Since the car is stopped at the stop…
Tamius Han
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26
votes
11 answers
Is there any way to legally sleep in your car while drunk?
As I understand it, if one is found inside one's car with the keys while drunk, even if asleep, one is as guilty of drunk driving as if one was actually driving. If one finds oneself over the limit, without a place to sleep but with access to one's…
User65535
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24
votes
5 answers
What does "Have you been drinking?" really mean?
If a police officer asks a driver "Have you been drinking?", then the driver should either plead the fifth (and not answer the question), or answer the question truthfully. Let's assume the driver only answers yes or no for the moment, without…
FlanMan
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22
votes
5 answers
What laws are there regarding being pulled over by an unmarked cop car/undercover cop?
Although this has never happened to me, I've read and heard about people driving on the road and then being signaled (in some way, usually with reds and blues) to pull over for a ticket and the car doing this isn't the usual police car for that area…
Adam
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20
votes
3 answers
Is it legal for a group of drivers to completely "fill" a roundabout?
Suppose a group of drivers want to block all regular use of a particular roundabout, so they all just start driving in it in circles. Once they're all in, the roundabout is useless, because there are no car-length gaps between them. Are they doing…
Someone
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20
votes
3 answers
Has a common law defence ever held water?
The UK is a common law country. It is a widely held belief of many people that statute Acts of parliament (i.e. most 'laws') only apply with the "consent of the governed"; and that one may be a "free man of the land" or a "Scottish Sovereign".
They…
Danny Beckett
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19
votes
6 answers
If my speedometer breaks without my knowledge, would I be responsible if I broke the speed limit by a small amount?
Let's say that I drive down an interstate highway at a speed of 68 miles per hour, where the speed limit is 65. I think that I am going 63 miles per hour because my speedometer is off by five miles per hour - without my knowledge.
Would I be…
HDE 226868
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17
votes
2 answers
Why is place of birth shown on European driving licences?
Driving licences issued by the EEA-countries display the place of birth of the license holder. Why is this information so important that it needs to be on the driving license?
I've tried to research this topic but all answers boil down to the fact…
MrCool
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16
votes
2 answers
On what day does a person turn "X years and 6 months" for the purpose of driver licensing in USA states?
I was looking at the legal age when a person can have a permit. In some states, it is 14 and a half, in others, it is 15 and a half, and so on.
My question is: if someone is born on August 31st and lives in California (where the relevant age is "15…
puzzled
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14
votes
5 answers
Do you need a driver's license to travel in the U.S.?
In the U.S., the law that governs motor vehicles is the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
But according to the Constitution;
Freedom of movement under United States law is governed primarily by the Privileges and Immunities Clause of…
Digital fire
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14
votes
5 answers
If someone removes a speed limit sign, can one still be ticketed for driving over the limit?
Say a truck driver were to plow into a speed limit sign, rendering it completely unreadable, and further completely unidentifiable as a speed limit sign. It just so happens that this same sign is the first sign indicating a drop to a lower speed…
TheEnvironmentalist
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14
votes
2 answers
Is it an independent and additional offence to have a fake passenger (e.g., a mannequin) to try to avoid HOV violation detection?
Reading https://ktla.com/news/local-news/carpool-violator-busted-in-southern-california-despite-next-level-dummy/amp/ (mirror) made me wonder: is it illegal to have a fake passenger (e.g., a mannequin) to try to avoid HOV violation…
Franck Dernoncourt
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13
votes
2 answers
Do I need a physical address to get a driver's license?
I'm currently homeless and need a license for work. I do not want to go to a shelter or request help from friends or family. Yet, the local DMV will not let me apply for a driver's license without an address. Is there any way around this?
Justice Plant
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