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Bizarre traffic rules across the world

Well, when we talk about traffic, a lot of things pop up in our mind. Right from the serial honkers to unruly drivers who never bothered to take lessons on driving etiquettes to the rules and regulations that abound the traffic laws of a particular state. Traffic rules and regulations, in our usual understanding, are limited to basic rules, like when to stop and remember the speed limits and avoid stepping on it. However, there are a number of traffic rules that totally defy logic and common wisdom.

Here in Carazoo.com we acquaint you with a list of traffic rules so that your next international vacation does not get side-tracked because of traffic legalities.

1. Doing the Hook Turn - Australia

Quite an easy maneuver for the locals, but doing a hook turn can be quite a nightmare for travelers in Melbourne.

Normally, when you have to turn right, you would go on the right lane and make your move. But in hook turn, you go to the outer left lane then, on green, you have to make a right to go where you plan to go. This was designed so that the traffic on the central business district of Melbourne will not block the lines of the tram. People violating this rule can be fined with a steep penalty of $75.

2. Environmental stickers - Germany

In Germany, the dawn of 2010 brought a new traffic rule that states that every car entering Cologne, Munich, Berlin, and about a few dozen more cities in the country have to sport environmental stickers. The sticker price varies from $7.50 to $30.

Make sure that you sport these stickers in your car when you are headed to Germany. A violation of this may cost you $60.

3. Muddy driving - Japan

Come the rains and Indian drivers get themselves another means of entertainment, splashing mud on the pedestrians. However, you would be considered wise if you refrained from doing so in Japan. After the rain, you have to drive extra carefully so as not to splash water on the pedestrians.

Or if the desire of splashing someone with muddy water overtakes your reasoning capabilities, be sure to shell out a fine of at least $65.

4. Female driver - Saudi Arabia

Here is another one that is a totally out of context traffic rule. In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive a car on most of the public roads. They are not allowed to ride a bike either. A lot of the women have to contain themselves by riding within residential areas or on private roads. Women who try to defy this rule, get themselves arrested, or worse, deported.

5. Emergency equipment - Turkey

If you are traveling in Turkey, it is always a safer bet to carry emergency equipment like a reflective early warning device, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit in the trunk of your car. Just be sure to check these items when you hire a car in Turkey. Turkey boasts of strict traffic rules and the absence of these items may cost you a $35-fine.

6. Driving through historic zones - Italy

Zona Traffico Limitata (ZTL), which means limited traffic zones, is enforced almost all over Italy. And this makes it necessary to obtain a special permit to drive through the historical locales of the country.

You have to be very careful while cursing through streets of Florence, where a number of ZTL are interconnected. One wrong turn and you will wind up paying multiple fines.

7. Yield to animals crossing - South Africa

South Africa gives priority to its animals and this is well reflected in this traffic law. When a herder signals to you that he has to cross the road with his goats, pigs, mules, ass, horses, ostrich, or other animals, you have to slow down. Don't take this rule seriously and you might be fined with $535 for the violation. So much for animal rights, huh!

8. Highway stickers - Switzerland

Drivers who like to take the highway rather than the secondary roads in Switzerland are required to stick a toll ticket of about $35 on their car. You can get the tickets at gas stations or border crossings. However, if you fail to do so, you need to cough up a spot fine of $235.

Just thank your lucky stars when your rented car already has a highway sticker on it.

9. Taxi Drivers Must Pay Music Royalties - Finland

Taxi drivers in Finland must pay royalties if they wish to play music on the radio while carrying a fare. Beat that! Almost always, the taxi drivers choose to deprive their customers of auditory pleasures and stop playing music in the cab.

Under the court ruling, a taxi driver in Finland must shell out 22 euros (equivalent of about $40) annually to be able to play music while transporting a fare.

10. Temporary driving permit in Vietnam

If you are not from Vietnam, your national driving license will not have any respect on the Vietnamese roads. And your international driving license won't come to your rescue either. What you would really need there is a temporary driver's license for a specific vehicle from the local authorities.

If you get pulled over by a traffic cop and you do not possess a Vietnamese driving permit, temporary or permanent, you can be put behind the bars for a maximum of three years. And if you are unfortunate enough and cause an accident, you might even have to serve up to 10 years.

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