12 Everyday Habits from the Past That Would Be Illegal Now
These once-common behaviors would get you fined, or even jailed today.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
People used to do things every day that would break the law today. Some of these habits were dangerous, while others just would not be allowed under today’s rules. This list shows how much laws and safety standards have changed. You might be surprised by what was once considered normal.
1. Kids Riding Without Seatbelts
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It was once normal for kids to bounce around the backseat or even the front without a seatbelt in sight. Now, that kind of parenting would lead to citations or worse. Safety laws have come a long way for a reason.
2. Smoking Indoors Anywhere You Wanted
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People smoke like chimneys almost everywhere like in offices, airplanes, or hospitals. Today, lighting up in most public spaces is not just frowned upon but banned outright. The air is definitely clearer now.
3. Driving Without a License or Insurance
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Some folks in small towns drove for years without ever getting a license. These days, skipping legal documentation is a fast track to a hefty fine or having your car towed on the spot.
4. Teachers Using Corporal Punishment
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A smack on the hand or a ruler across the knuckles used to be part of the school day. Now, it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Modern classrooms rely on more humane discipline methods.
5. Using Unsafe Household Appliances
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Metal-bladed fans, exposed wiring, and space heaters without auto-shutoff were all standard. Today, safety standards would never allow these fire and shock hazards into homes.
6. Office Jobs That Required Zero Breaks
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Employees were expected to chain themselves to their desks for hours, often without proper lunch breaks. Labor laws now require rest periods and respect workers’ basic rights.
7. Baby Car Seats That Did Nothing
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They were more like booster seats with a seatbelt draped over them. Today’s child restraints are rigorously tested and legally required to meet exacting standards.
8. Pumping Leaded Gasoline
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Drivers regularly filled up their tanks with leaded gas, unaware of its long-term health and environmental damage. It’s banned in most countries now, for good reason.
9. Drinking on the Job
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Having a drink your lunch break, or even at your desk, wasn’t unusual in some industries. Today, workplace policies are far less forgiving.
10. Listening In on Calls Through Party Lines
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Party lines let multiple households share a single phone connection. Eavesdropping was common and barely questioned. Modern privacy laws would shut that down immediately.
11. Selling Food Without Health Permits
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Street vendors once dished out food from carts and trucks with no inspections or standards. Today’s food safety laws make sure what we eat does not land us in the ER.
12. Hitching Rides on Trains
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Hopping on freight trains was a thrill for some and a way of life for others. Now, it’s illegal, dangerous, and closely monitored by rail authorities.