While Europe and other parts of the world embrace an international drivers license and set of traffic regulations, the United States continues to have 50 different sets of rules. Some states even allow individual counties to set their own traffic agendas.
Building and fire codes may have their national uniform models in America, but not the labyrinth of quirky laws affecting millions of drivers and their vehicles.
Especially affected are drivers commuting regularly across state lines. They have to remember, for example, that turning right after stopping for a red light is legal in one state but not the other. Or that using your left foot on the brake pedal is legal in their state but not the state next door.
Traffic cops and judges don't give a damn about motorist confusion when issuing traffic citations or imposing traffic fines. Hey, the traffic-law maze keeps them employed and the county and state coffers filled.
And if Congress doesn't care about the national health of millions of uninsured constituents, there's not much chance that a uniform traffic model will come from that muddled body anytime soon.
Just don't fail to turn on your headlights when it rains in 14 states--which do not include Oregon and Washington, the precipitation capitals of America. (20 JUNE 1999)
