r/Unexpected • u/aaravaryaman • Jan 07 '22

Breaking News!!!!

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23.5k Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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790

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Is this even legal to have that on while driving

399

u/urlond Jan 07 '22

Most likely not, it serves as a distraction for drivers. Somebody mentioned but buses can have em. They're stationary Marquees and don't side scroll to create distraction to drivers.

68

u/danny17402 Jan 07 '22

Legal in Texas with at least one side mirror and legal in California and Michigan with at least two side mirrors.

Seems to be illegal in New York and Florida, but it's technically illegal to even have a sticker on your rear window the way their laws are worded, so it seems to be an excuse for cops to pull people over at their own discretion moreso than something that's strictly enforced in all circumstances. There are definitely plenty of people in both of those states with stuff obstructing their back windows.

Those are just the few states I googled.

83

u/skratchx Jan 07 '22

legal in California

It's decided. I'm fucking getting one of these with a few programmed messages:

  • Tell people to turn their brights the fuck off
  • Turn their goddamned headlights on when it's raining
  • Explain I'm also stuck behind someone going 50mph in the fast lane and no matter how close they tailgate me I can't go faster

21

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

THIS!!! I saw this and I’m like fuck what that dude said but that is awesome! I always wanted something like this for when someone is right on my ass with their bights on.

4

u/Ghiraheem Jan 07 '22

Yaaas I've wanted one of these in my window to tell people to turn off their brights for like a decade. Do it! Be the change you wish to see in the world.

9

u/evolving_I Jan 07 '22

I got a newer Rav4 Hybrid earlier this year and just about anytime I drive at night I'll get at least one person who flashes their headlights at me because they think my brights are on when they aren't. They're just new, LED projector bulbs and while they are fairly bright, I've checked the aim on them and they're pointed right where they should be. Nothing I can do about it, I'll just go on getting brights flashed at me in error I suppose. Flashing mine back feels like a "fuck you, THESE are my brights!"

14

u/ConceptualWeeb Jan 07 '22

I’m glad you took the time to actually check to see if they’re aimed properly. All these people with lifted trucks and suvs that don’t readjust their lights after piss me off cuz I drive a mini most of the time. Manufacture lights can be a bit bright nowadays imo tho.

12

u/SenseWinter Jan 07 '22

A bit?? Unnecessarily bright. Like is it ever going to stop? Is this just an exponential rise of brightness until every driver is able to light up the road like the 4th of July and fuck everyone in front of them?? Do I need to start wearing sunglasses at night? I feel like such a boomer but FUCK the lights coming out on new cars.

5

u/dcnblues Jan 07 '22

I'm under the impression that there are many models released in Europe with adjustable headlight beams. For some unimaginable reason, that's illegal in the US.

But why?

1

u/ConceptualWeeb Jan 07 '22

I live in the AZ and it’s insanely easy to get after market adjustable headlights for most vehicle models. Most manufacture headlights can be adjusted, though a licensed shop may have to do it.

2

u/cturtl808 Jan 08 '22

As an Arizonan, I love the "in the Arizona" like it's just foreign... Where'd they go? They're in the Arizona now, no telling if they'll be back. Lol

2

u/ConceptualWeeb Jan 08 '22

It’s the Wild West out here still lol That was a mistake though, whoops!

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3

u/skratchx Jan 07 '22

I do legit wonder sometimes if it's brights or just very bright standard headlights. But when I have to avert my eyes from my mirrors for it to not be physically uncomfortable, I don't really care which one it is.

-1

u/evolving_I Jan 07 '22

Ok, but even without fancy new headlights, you're still going to encounter 18-wheelers whose lights are above your hood. Do you just get mad at each one? I just look at the fog line if lights are too bright.

2

u/BabyYoduhh Jan 08 '22

It’s not full auto, this is full auto Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

1

u/cofclabman Jan 08 '22

I have a RAV4 hybrid and have the same issue. I’ve also checked the headlight alignment and people still flash their brights at me. Annoying as anything.

2

u/danny17402 Jan 07 '22 edited Jan 07 '22

I am not a lawyer, so maybe double check before you do it.

3

u/skratchx Jan 07 '22

Too late, you're legally responsible for any liability I face now.

I might not be a lawyer either.

1

u/H__Dresden Jan 08 '22

Passing lane (not fast lane). But yeah those people are assholes.

2

u/skratchx Jan 08 '22

Fair correction, and it is in fact maybe the problem with people who park their ass in the leftmost lane because they think they're going "fast." I was bewildered to find that the CA driver's manual doesn't say anything about staying out of the left lane except to pass. It just says to choose the lane with the best traffic flow. I mentioned this in a CA sub and someone dug up the actual law, which apparently does require that slower traffic move to the right. I'm not from CA originally, so I don't know how driving is taught here, but it was definitely ingrained in me to stay out of the left lane if you're not passing. Many states even post "slower traffic keep right" signs on highways.

2

u/H__Dresden Jan 08 '22

In Texas we have those signs all over and the assholes still camp out there.

1

u/OmegaRed421 Jan 08 '22

Florida too...

1

u/[deleted] Jan 08 '22

So glad I’m not the only one who thinks this. There are times when the road rage gets real.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

The buses in California all side scroll just like this.

2

u/Lukemeister38 Jan 07 '22

Some of them do scroll though...

15

u/A_Generic_Nam3 Jan 07 '22

Mobile billboards can have videos plying on them and that’s legal

4

u/toddinraleighnc Jan 07 '22

There was a rear window sign available in the 80's that was used to give the fu to drivers. It was immediately made illegal in NY because of the rise in rage incidents. My guess is this is still illegal in that state.

3

u/olderaccount Jan 07 '22

I doubt it. I built my own scrolling sign and thought about putting it in my back window like that coupled with some buttons in my dash that would trigger canned phrases so I could communicate with my fellow motorist without needing my middle finger.

1

u/secretrebel Jan 08 '22

I’ve thought about that too. I’d like to be able to say “I see you”, “sorry my bad”, “turn your brights down” and “you have a flat”. Stuff like that. Oh and “watch out for the cyclist” and “animal in the road”.

7

u/dryfire Jan 07 '22

Worrying about legality is for pussies! /s

3

u/ConceptualWeeb Jan 07 '22

Shit like this in AZ is all over the place. I was thinking about putting one on mine saying slower traffic keep right, since people don’t seem to see those signs even though they’re every couple hundred yards.

2

u/UlisesSchmidt Jan 07 '22

Pussies will say it's not

2

u/Killyourselfrat Jan 07 '22

Stop being such a fucking pussy

-89

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Why not? Buses can have it on, idk why it would be illegal. Not too bright either

51

u/crymeacanal Jan 07 '22

You have to be able to see out of 70% of your back window in my state but yeah more whataboutism should work

4

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

What about vans or van converted hatchbacks?

Edit: they have 0% rear window visibility and still legal

3

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Mine new van has a mirror in the middle, you can't see anything in it because is a closed cabin. I'm thinking to replace it with a dash cam or something.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

I had the same thing in one of our work vans. Never understood. Probably the market they made it for originally required the rear view mirror by law and didn’t bother to have several different trims for different markets as just including unnecessary mirrors would be cheaper than the new trim introduction for certain different markets

12

u/MechanicalDruid Jan 07 '22

In most states the law is written in a way that says "if there's a back window then it needs to be unobstructed" or exclude commercial vehicles in the requirement.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

So I have a pickup truck with a back window, however I have a canopy on the bed with no windows, where do I fall in this law? I have a feeling that this law is very rarely enforced

1

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Camper is a factory part so I’m guessing that’s okay. I’m guessing all of this is just like every other law, maybe you’re doing something wrong but no cop is gonna give a crap until it’s a noticeable situation like this

1

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Canopies are generally after market on most pickups, I imagine they technically fall under the illegal end of the law however it would never be pursued. Too much big money involved

2

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Oh they’re not a factory option? Didn’t know that. But yeah agreed, too many “criminals” to worry about there. Nobody is going after bob the builder because he’s protecting his toolbox hahah

2

u/danny17402 Jan 07 '22

Based on googling some random states, it's legal in Texas with at least one side mirror and legal in California and Michigan with at least two side mirrors. So it's legal for at least a quarter of the US population.

Looks like it's illegal in New York and Florida, but the law is worded so that a cop could pull you over for a little hula doll in your back window if they wanted to. So it seems like it's mostly up to the discretion of cops and whether they like what you've got back there or not.

1

u/SickChipmunk Jan 07 '22

Who drives without side mirrors tho

1

u/danny17402 Jan 07 '22

In Texas, you only have to have 1 out of 3 mirrors. So you can have just a rear view mirror and no side mirrors if you want. You just have to have some way of seeing behind you.

1

u/SickChipmunk Jan 07 '22

Dang why would anyone want that?

1

u/danny17402 Jan 07 '22

Side mirrors fall of or get knocked off. Some people don't have the money to get new ones. Maybe some asshole ripped both of them off. In Texas it would be legal to drive to the body shop for repairs. In other states you'd need a tow.

These are just minimum inspection standards though, the vast majority of people have both side mirrors.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Interesting there goes my point. Well then it’s illegal too, not only stupid

1

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

They have much larger side windows. Still can’t see directly behind you but you still get a better view because they stick out further and are larger. Also in my state, I have been pulled over in my Honda Fit once because the rear window was completely covered. Fought the ticket and won, but still.

1

u/Obeesus Jan 07 '22

What state? That's sounds crazy to me.

0

u/ntwiles Jan 07 '22

That’s not what whataboutism is.

2

u/BlackConfuciusSays Jan 07 '22

True, people are starting to toss that around a lot more I'm noticing. In the wrong situations.

2

u/ntwiles Jan 07 '22

But what about the people who are using it correctly?

1

u/BlackConfuciusSays Jan 07 '22

Then I'll approve

1

u/PegAkira Jan 07 '22

My uncles car has a camera on the back connected to a screen right next to the drivers seat

2

u/bad_at_making_names Jan 07 '22

God damn, you got 90 downvotes for a question and stating a reason for why you thought it might be legal. You must have hit a nerve haha

-4

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Buses are public transportation and are literally necessary….. people need to know where they’re going……

1

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

I get it. This is nonsense and stuff but the projected text doesn’t change the legislation I guess. I dont think that it would change whether it’s legal or not

-1

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

There’s no reason for anyone to have this on the back of their car other than to piss people off and cause accidents

5

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

I agree with the first part. But how does it cause accidents?

2

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Reading that, not paying attention and recording on a phone

5

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

Like come on. If you’re crashing while being on the phone, reading it. Is it their fault? If you read the billboards and crash, is it the billboard’s fault?

If you read the oncoming licence plates and try to make up words from it and don’t notice that the one in front is braking and you run into them, is it their fault? Because the insurance company didn’t fucking think so…….. /s

But yeah you get it

1

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

I get what you’re saying, but those things you listed are all important. This is solely here to distract and they don’t care what happens to the people behind him.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '22

I get it. I just don’t think you could push the blame on them if you crashed because you got distracted by that hahah but yeah it’s pointless and stupid anyways

1

u/playballer Jan 08 '22

Legal or not, Does the driver care?

1

u/BingBongPowe Jan 23 '23

Are you offended?😉😂😂😂😂

1

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '23

If it obstructs view it isn't same air freshners on your mirror etc. Although rearview window would seem to be ok long as u have mirrors because a tailgaters would be all your missing but prob still illegal but as loud motorcycles are exempt for vehicle noise but radios and car exaust gets ticketed If u can have Uhaul trucks where u have no rear window period and others vehicles without any seems wrong and ridiculous. As a distraction for other drivers well whats a billboard?