Laws We All Break: Exploring Universal Legal Transgressions

Laws are made to be broken, or so the saying goes. But are there laws that everyone breaks? It seems so. A poll by onepoll.com found that the average person commits around seven crimes per week, with speeding being the most common crime, followed by talking/texting while driving, dropping litter, and illegally downloading music. Other common offenses include jaywalking, copyright infringement, underage drinking, and not wearing a seatbelt. While some people may not be aware that they are breaking the law, others may justify their actions by the fact that everyone else does it. So, the next time you're tempted to break a law, remember that you're not alone—but that doesn't make it right!

Speeding

While speeding is extremely common, it is not without consequences. Speeding tickets are a common occurrence, and speeding can also result in suspension of your license if you are found to be driving recklessly. Speeding also endangers the lives of others, and can result in serious injuries or fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding causes approximately one-third of all auto accidents each year, and high-speed crashes are significantly more deadly than low-speed collisions.

Despite the dangers and potential legal repercussions, many people continue to speed. This may be due to a variety of factors, such as running late, keeping up with the flow of traffic, or simply not paying attention to one's speed. Additionally, the flexibility of speeding laws in certain states may contribute to a culture of speeding.

To avoid speeding, it is important to plan ahead and allow enough time to reach your destination without needing to rush. Paying attention to speed limit signs and using cruise control can also help maintain a safe speed. Ultimately, it is essential to prioritize safety over convenience and follow the speed limit to protect yourself and others on the road.

Texting while driving

Despite the well-publicized dangers, many people continue to text and drive, claiming they can multitask or only text at red lights. Some even hold their phones near the windshield to see both at the same time. However, these justifications are flawed and do not reduce the danger. Even a fast texter takes their eyes off the road for at least five seconds per message. At 55 miles per hour, this means travelling the length of a football field without looking, creating a high risk of missing a red light, veering into the wrong lane, or failing to see debris or another vehicle.

The National Safety Council estimates that cell phone use while driving leads to approximately 1.6 million accidents annually, accounting for about 25% of all auto accidents. This figure is comparable to the 31% of accidents caused by drunk or drugged driving. While drunk driving incidents have been decreasing, accidents involving texting drivers are on the rise. Texting while driving creates a level of impairment equivalent to having four beers, which would put most adults at or over the legal limit for a DUI.

Recognizing the dangers, many states have implemented texting and driving laws to enhance road safety. As of 2024, 39 states and Washington, D.C., prohibit all drivers from texting while driving. Additionally, 32 states and Washington, D.C., ban novice drivers from using cell phones altogether. These laws carry consequences, and a texting driver can be found at fault and held financially liable for any resulting injuries or deaths.

Underage drinking

In the United States, the minimum legal drinking age is 21 years, and each state enforces this limit differently. For example, in Ohio, a minor under 21 years of age who attempts to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol in a public or private location is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanour and may be fined or lose their driving privileges. In Pennsylvania, a person under 21 who attempts to purchase, consume, or possess alcohol will be fined up to $500 for the first offence and $1,000 for subsequent offences, with possible driver's license suspension. Virginia has similar laws, with a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service, and West Virginia fines individuals under 21 who possess, consume, or attempt to purchase alcohol up to $500, with possible probation for up to one year.

Jaywalking

In the United States, jaywalking is typically associated with crossing the street illegally or carelessly, endangering oneself in the face of oncoming traffic. It is considered a minor offence, but the specific penalties can vary from state to state. In some cities, such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston, jaywalking is so common that police generally only intervene if it is deemed excessively dangerous or disruptive.

The practice of jaywalking cannot be solely explained by differences in law. Cultural norms and local factors also play a role. For example, Copenhagen and New York City have similar restrictions on jaywalking, yet the practice is far more prevalent in New York. Pedestrians may choose to jaywalk for various reasons, including convenience, the expectation of the right to free movement, and even personal safety. In some cases, using a designated crosswalk can require a long detour, or the crosswalks may be blocked by cars due to traffic congestion or poorly parked vehicles.

While jaywalking may be seen as a minor offence by some, it can have significant safety implications. In the United States, jaywalking is linked to pedestrian injuries and fatalities, especially in urban areas. However, data on the exact risk rate is limited due to a lack of comprehensive jaywalking frequency statistics.

Using someone else's Wi-Fi

Piggybacking is prohibited in most jurisdictions and is also against the law under federal statutes, such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. For example, in the state of New York, piggybacking is a Class A misdemeanour. There have been numerous cases of people being arrested and charged for using an unsecured Wi-Fi connection without permission.

The laws surrounding piggybacking are still being clarified, but it is generally advised that you do not use a Wi-Fi connection without the owner's consent. Failure to do so may result in criminal penalties, including fines or even jail time.

According to a poll by onepoll.com, the average person commits around seven crimes per week. While some of these may be minor, such as speeding or littering, others may be more serious, such as illegal drug use or downloading music illegally.

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