Weird & Surprising Auto Laws from across the Country

Posted March 11, 2015 by admin & filed under Uncategorized.

We’re all too familiar with parking and speeding tickets… but did you know putting a penny in an automatic parking ticket machine is a crime in North Dakota?

The auto repair experts at Golden Rule Auto Repair are here to keep you informed and keep your vehicle safe – give us a call at 701-746-6790 for vehicle maintenance and stay safely on the roads in Grand Forks.

From common sense to just plain weird, there are some unusual traffic laws across the country. And while not all of these may be strictly enforced, it’s worth a look at these surprising auto tickets:

No Common Sense…

It’s illegal to drive while blindfolded (Alabama)
Don’t take a nap on the street… it’s illegal to “use the road as a bed” (Eureka, California)
Not only is it unwise, it’s illegal to jump from a car at 65 mph (Glendale, California)
Stay on the roads! It’s illegal to drive on sidewalks (Dunn, North Carolina) or through playgrounds (Dublin, Georgia) or through a cemetery (Dunn, North Carolina)
You’ll be fined for reading a comic book while driving (Oklahoma)

What about two wheels?

When you’re on your bicycle, you must resist “fancy riding” (Galesburg, Illinois)
No roller skating on the streets – stick to the side walks (Canton, Ohio)
The above law also applies to “any coaster, toy vehicle, skateboard or similar device” – with a fine up to $1,000!

Our Furry Friends

Dogs may favor fire hydrants and inviting human legs, but you’ll get a fine if your dog “molests” a vehicle (Fort Thomas, Kentucky)
It’s illegal – and horrible – to tie a dog to the roof of a car (Alaska)
Even if you work as a chauffeur, it’s illegal to drive a vehicle with a gorilla in the back seat (Massachusetts)

Turn down the volume!

It’s illegal to honk the horn of another person’s car (University City, Missouri)
Don’t screech your tires – it’s a misdemeanor, and you’ll spend 30 days in jail! (Derby, Kansas)
You must honk before passing another vehicle on the road (New Jersey)
It is illegal to blare a car horn where sandwiches or cold drinks are served after 9 p.m. (Arkansas)

Feeling Hungry?

If you’re craving breakfast pastries, you’d better drive-thru — You’ll get a ticket if you park in front of this Dunkin Donuts. (South Berwick, Maine)
It is perfectly LEGAL to scavenge road kill. (West Virginia)
Careful with that drink! It’s illegal to spill your margarita on the street. (Hermosa Beach, California)
You’ll have to walk to the liquor store if you want to drink beer at home – it’s illegal to drive with beer in your car, even if it’s unopened. (Scituate, Rhode Island)

Keep it Clean…

You can get a ticket for having a dirty car! If your vehicle leaves mud, dirt, or other substances on the road, you’ll be fined (Minnetonka, Minnesota)
Don’t store trash in your vehicle, it’s illegal – due to a rodent issue… (Hilton Head, South Carolina)
Keep your clothes on! It’s illegal to disrobe while in your vehicle (Sag Harbor, New York)
Cursing from your vehicle is a misdemeanor. You’ll get a fine if you’re heard swearing in earshot of another driver, pedestrian, or vehicle (Rockville, Maryland)

This infographic from Visually shows some of the weirdest traffic laws from all 50 states.

50 Weird Driving Laws of the United States

What strange traffic laws have you encountered? Let us know! To keep your vehicle safely on the road, schedule an inspection with our auto care experts: 701-746-6790.

Find more:

3 Cat Litter Auto Myths – True or False?

Posted February 10, 2015 by admin & filed under Uncategorized.

Kitty litter often makes an appearance in lists for auto emergency kits or winter safety tips – but why is this strange “tool” so popular? What is it for? Does it really work?

Here, we address three “myths” about cat litter to help you stay safe on slick winter roads in Grand Forks, ND. Before you find yourself stuck (without cat litter), make sure your car can handle winter conditions – call our team at 701-746-6790.

Myth #1 – Cat litter provides Traction

TRUE! If your vehicle gets stuck in a snow bank or on a slick road, cat litter can help create the traction you need to get out. Pour a little around your tires to give them something to grip as you navigate onto the road. The non-clumping kind works best for extra traction on slick roads.

Myth #2 – Cat Litter Weighs Down your Car

TRUE! As cat owners know, bags of cat litter are heavy. When you’re not stuck in the snow, the weight of cat litter in your trunk can also help improve traction by adding weight to the back end of your vehicle. Especially in trucks and cars that are front heavy, a little extra weight in the rear of your vehicle can help stabilize you, keeping you in control of your vehicle on slick roads.

Myth #3 – Cat litter is an alternative to “Ice Melt”

FALSE! Cat litter does NOT act as an “ice melt” for your driveway. While it will provide traction for vehicles and pedestrians on ice, it will not speed up melting of the ice (the way salt ice melt does – salt lowers the freezing point of water to help it melt faster). In fact, as the ice starts to melt, the kitty litter may absorb the moisture, leaving you with slippery, wet clay to sweep away.

Drive safely on the winter roads across Grand Forks this season. Don’t forget to pick up some cat litter for your winter auto emergency kit – store a bag in your trunk for weigh and traction on slick roads. To make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter road conditions, schedule an appointment or call 701-746-6790.

Don’t ignore the face you just Slid into a Curb…

Posted January 14, 2015 by admin & filed under Uncategorized.

Winter roads are slick in Grand Forks, and across North Dakota. As you drive along snowy, icy roads this winter, use extra caution to remain in control of your vehicle to avoid slides and skids.

At Golden Rule Automotive, we’ve seen many of our customers’ vehicles suffer damage from sliding into a curb on slick winter roads. Even though this seems like a small mistake, hitting a curb can have major impacts on your car. Don’t ignore it! Stop by our auto shop to have an inspection before small damage causes big problems. Call us at (701) 746-6790 to schedule an appointment.

Potential issues from hitting a curb:

Hitting a curb even going as slow as 5-10 mph can have a major impact on the performance of your tires. Tire wear damage is possible in as little as 200 miles after a curb impact.
Tie Rods are the connection between your steering system and the wheels. Any damage to the tie rods can severely inhibit your ability to steer, especially important when roads are slick.
The control arms allow up and down movement of the suspension while holding the knuckles, spindles, and axles firmly onto the car. Jarring from hitting a curb can cause extreme damage to the control arms and suspension of your vehicle.
A steering knuckle contains the wheel hub or spindle and attaches to the suspension components. It is variously called a steering knuckle, spindle, upright or hub, as well. Damage to steering knuckles also impacts suspension and steering your vehicle.
Tires and Wheels can be damaged as well. If you suspect tire damage, have it inspected immediately to avoid costly problems.

What should you do?

If you hit a curb, call us at (701) 746-6790 to schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Our certified technicians will make sure your vehicle can keep you safely on the road, without risking extensive damage and costly future repairs.

An alignment check is a small expense, but can save your vehicle many miles and dollars from costly issues. If an adjustment is needed, this inspection can save many miles on your tires, and help you get more miles out of every dollar if other issues are found (by catching and fixing small problems before they lead to extensive damage and costly repairs). But more importantly, a check will provide peace of mind that you and your family will stay safe while driving, especially as it gets really cold in North Dakota.

Don’t ignore the fact that you just hit a curb! Call today to have your vehicle inspected.

Stay safe and warm this week (and all winter) in Grand Forks. To prepare your vehicle for cold weather, stop by Golden Rule Automotive for an inspection: (701) 746-6790.