5 ways you can get fined for things you do every day
Smartphones put the world at our fingertips, but they can also be a distraction.
That’s why the mayor of Honolulu, HI banned pedestrians from looking at their mobile phones while crossing the street on July 28.
The “Distracted Walking Law” will go into effect on October 25, giving officials the right to issue fines of $15 to $35 for people caught texting or gaming while navigating a crosswalk. Repeat offenders will receive a fine of up to $99.
Honolulu is the first U.S. city to make such a law, and Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he hopes it will help to save lives. “We hold the unfortunate distinction of being a major city with more pedestrians being hit in crosswalks, particularly our seniors, than almost any other city in the county,” he said.
While fining people for texting might seem outlandish, other cities also have strict rules against common behaviors. Here are five ways you can get fined for things you do every day.
Applying makeup while driving
About 14 states ban the use of mobile devices while driving, but drivers in Washington can also get fined for putting on mascara while behind the wheel. On July 23, the state passed a new distracted driving law that prohibits drivers from applying makeup while they’re on the go. Drivers can also receive fines for holding their phones or eating while driving. Fines start at $136 for the first offense and $234 for the second.
Drinking on horseback
Visitors to Denver often partake in outdoor activities like horseback riding, but they’ll want to think twice before cracking open a cold one.
Citizens are not allowed to ride a horse under the influence of alcohol, which is categorized as a traffic violation. The maximum fine is $100, but points are not added to your driver’s license.
This might sound like one of those old-timey laws that is no longer enforced, but that isn’t the case here. In 2013, a man was fined and detained for being intoxicated while riding his horse down a street in Boulder. When questioned, the man said he was trying to get to his brother’s wedding 600 miles away and couldn’t find his driver’s license. Perhaps next time he’ll just sleep it off.
Cursing in public
Many view curse words as a form of expression, but expressing yourself in Arlington, VA could cost you. In 2015, the Arlington County board increased the fine for swearing to $250 for anyone “appearing intoxicated or profanely cursing.” The city’s previous ordinance against cursing in public carried a $100 fine.
But Arlington isn’t the only city with a ban on swearing. In 2012, Middleborough, Mass. introduced a $20 fine for people caught swearing public, a move that led to profanity-laden protests from locals living in the area.
Biking on the sidewalk
New York City is becoming more bike-friendly, but there are still several neighborhoods where bike lanes are non-existent. While it might feel safer to bike on the sidewalk, it will also get you in trouble. In NYC, bikers pedaling on a sidewalk will receive a $100 fine with the possibility of spending 20 days in jail! So to all cyclists, be sure to bike in the street if there isn’t a designated lane for bikes. Just be sure to wear a helmet and watch out for taxi doors.
Brittany is a writer at Yahoo Finance.
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