How would people react if they retired all traffic laws?

Question

If they completely retired all traffic laws, how do you think people would react?

They'd still have speed limit signs, traffic lights, stop/yield signs... the works. But they'd really just work as suggestions.

No speeding tickets, no vehicle maintenance tickets, no tickets at all, of course. Haha!

Some people say that people would remain civilized and most would basically follow the suggestions given by the lights and signs.

Some people say it would be complete chaos and anarchy if we didn't have police officers keeping drivers in line with fines, etc.

What are your thoughts?

Blobb · Accepted Answer

In western countries, you'd see a HUGE spike in crashes. Following which it would normalise again, and it would be like driving in thrid world countries, which isn't obviously worse it's just a lot different (since no one really respects the rules of the road).

Why would there be a huge spike in crashes? Well westerners are used to everyone obeying the rules of the road. So if the light is green as a pedstrian for example, you cross and might not even look at the cars, do that in a busy intersection in china and you're gonna cause an accident.

Once a ton of crashes occur people will develop the kind of 360 vision they have in third world countries and constantly be more alert and voila, problem solved.

In the long run, wouldn't change anything.

TimB -1-2-3 · Accepted Answer

Things like this have already been done to varying degrees..

link

And apparently, things get more safe.. Instead of merely thinking about traffic law X and Y, people actually start looking out for each other because that's the only thing they can rely on anymore. :)

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Well, the cops in my town would have a lot less to do. They'd probably sit around squatting flies all day, until the city laid them off.

I think people would just behave the way people already behave when you hit a traffic light that's not working. What do you do? There's no officer around. Do you feel like dying? Do you feel like causing property damage to another person's car or your own car? Are you going to look around? Are you going to act the same way as if there was a "STOP" sign? O.o

On the other hand, I would totally get two of my friends to drive with me on a three-lane highway at 10mph between 7am - 9am during weekdays ; )

hollydorr · Accepted Answer

Both A and B, so I vote C

From what I see now, people already speed (but only slightly over the limit for fear of a ticket) and barely stop at stop signs (just slowing down slightly and cruising through the intersection) among other things. I'd say that without the laws that are in place, these bad habits will get worse and the number of accidents will suddenly rise. Once people realize that things aren't safe, either they will try to abide by the suggestions a bit more or there'll be less drivers. But either way, it'll normalize again.

RickFlo · Answer

I think the amount of accidents would increase, and I don't think it would be total anarchy, but if someone is driving recklessly, there would be no repercussion for his actions unless he damaged property or hurt someone, and there needs to be a repercussion for being a d*** on the road.

TheGodEmperorLeto · Answer

Well it'd probably be sh*t. There have to be stop signs and intersection laws and whatnot. It's just the way to make things proper. And if you've ever done any driving you know there are way too many people on the road with a "me first" mentality where it'd cause accidents.

HOWEVER I do recall a study where they removed speed limits in an area and the result was... no substantial change in accidents/fatalities/etc.

RedSmartie · Answer

I think people would speed more, but other than that, nothing would really change unless some bitch in a hurry thinks they're more important than everyone else and blows through all the stoplights.

But for the most part, people would still abide by the rules. We might have more California Stops at stop signs but in highly trafficked areas people would probably have no choice but to continue abiding by the rules.

femzee · Answer

Well we wouldn't be driving fast because there would be no free lane to drive fast on. There would be a sh*t ton of traffic because AASHTO wouldn't be able to help with that. With the amount of cars in the US today, you would be better off walking or biking everywhere.

Source: A transportation Engineer lol.

dudeman · Answer

i wouldn't like it but I think we need to have more round abouts in the states. so many times I'm sitting in traffic and people are just waiting on a light. its pretty ridiculous. I can actually get around the city faster on my bike(because it has no license plate) then I can in my car

RideThroughTheRain · Answer

I think that accidents and stuff would go up at first, while people were feeling their freedom. But then they would realize that now they don't have anything to protect them, and would start being more careful.

kairon156 · Answer

where I live there's a big speeding issue. everyone goes at least 10 KPH over the speed limit. if there was no limit they would be driving 150-200 (how ever fast their car can go) down school and residential areas.

THE_Godfather · Answer

Speed limit signs are mearly a suggestion where I live. Not much else would change. I would stop at the stop signs because out here too many people are blind & go right through them. I don't want them dinging my ride.

ihatework · Answer

it might look something like this, but with bigger and faster cars

palek · Answer

Vehicular anarchy would not end well. There are enough louts on the road as it is. And besides. if we fired all those cops, what would become of the donut industry?

dipta · Answer

Think there's a reason why laws were created in the first place. Even with laws it's already a jungle out there. We also don't like politics, but...

6Paul11 · Answer

It would be terrible. I think the laws need to be changed  but not  eliminated. Plus, mandatory drivers ed.

confugirl · Answer

The few crazies who speed whenever they can would go wild. And that's enough to cause quite a few accident, in my opinion.

xzinax2 · Answer

i'd never ever again leave the house. people already drive like a**holes,are we supposed to believe they'd be more careful if there was no punishment?

blackkid2 · Answer

Wouldn't it be just like before where there were an extreme amount of accidents? Wouldn't they just be reinstated?

lauramor · Answer

B, and would want to take them back. because evne if others try to be more safe some won't care.

Yellowsmurf · Answer

I'd expect most people to keep doing the exact same out of habit. There would be speeders and whatnot but then again there already are. The next generation of drivers could be trouble.

Anonymous · Answer

Lots of accidents, lots of speeders, and extremely high insurance rates.

cherokeeblake1 · Answer

All traffic laws in Mexico are retired, nobody seems to be freaking out there.

Anonymous · Answer

i already disregard the speed limit so it wouldn't make much difference for me.

Anonymous · Answer

People would abide but there would be more road rage

Anonymous · Answer

it be a nightmare so many things will go wrong

Anonymous · Answer

it would be anarchy

Anonymous · Answer

mayhem

How would people react if they retired all traffic laws?

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