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Laws are meant to give society structure, set standards for behavior, and help keep people safe. But just because they’re written down doesn’t mean everyone follows them.

One Redditor asked: What is something illegal that almost everyone does anyway? The answers ranged from minor slip-ups to rules you might not even know existed. Scroll down to see what they shared, and decide for yourself if these “offenses” are terrible or not so bad.

Just remember, this isn’t an endorsement—be responsible with your own choices.

#1

Crushed soda can and folded paper with doodles on asphalt, illustrating careless behavior like driving over the speed limit. Littering and not picking up after their dogs when they poop. It's gross and i'm sick of seeing it.

anon , Suzy Hazelwood/Pexels Report

Ellinor she/they/elle
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a neighbour who let his dogs poop in front of my garage door. I hate that guy. (Edit - Unfortunately he also puts his music really really loudly at 3am and the whole neighborhood hates that so the last time I went to speak to him it escalated and I threatened to call the cops on him, so I'm really not sure that throwing dog poop on his house would fix all that...)

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    #2

    Hand holding a pirate music CD in a clear case, representing illegal activities people still do. Downloading copyrighted media …. Allegedly .. not me obviously … in fact I don’t even know what downloading is ….

    GuybrushFunkwood , Santeri Viinamäki Report

    #3

    Screenshot of WinRAR free trial expiration message demonstrating software use beyond the trial period, a common illegal practice. I don’t know about illegal, but I’m in my twentieth year of my winrar free trial.

    rawker86 Report

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    #4

    Car speedometer showing driver driving over the speed limit on a highway with sunlight glare inside the vehicle. Drive over the speed limit.

    At least occasionally.

    anon , Hassan OUAJBIR/Pexels Report

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my current stage of life I never drive more than 5 miles over the limit. This is because when I was young and in a hurry all the time I racked up massive fines and points on my license. It's just not worth it - I'll get there when I get there. No need to risk unnecessary expenses or the lives of other people.

    beez
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s called getting old and responsible I guess. I used to drag race illegally, tune cars, drive fast. And now? Max. 5 miles over the limit. Sometimes I miss my old-self but Id never go back.

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    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man, I live near Atlanta. If you don't speed on the Interstate, you get tail-gated and become road rage bait!

    Smeghead Tribble Down Under
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. This is something I'm an.al about. This and drink/dr.ug driving. Speed limits exist for a reason.

    Rachel Reynolds
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I, allegedly, made my husband's usual 2 hour drive in 1.5 hours. Allegedly.

    PenguinEmp
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never. No speeding tickets either in 30 years. No parking tickets, no accidents. Alsol lose 20% fuel to save an avg of 2m.

    angelmomoffour62
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Occasionally leads to all the time.

    Hiram's Friend
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the Phoenix area, Most cars do at least 10mph over the limit, although more than a few go 80 or 85 in a 65 zone on the freeways. Surface streets generally run 5 mph over the posted limit.

    The Darkest Timeline
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In general, it is most dangerous to drive noticeably faster or slower than the flow of traffic.

    Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My livelihood depends on me being able to drive so I am very careful. However, it is easy to get caught up with other traffic doing over the speed limit if you don't keep checking the speedo all the time.

    R Dennis
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had a company car and it tracked acceleration, braking, idling time, and speed. Part of our bonus (and employment) was based on our driving, even when not working. I was pulled over once for being too dark in (my) the area. I gave him all the paperwork and when he came back I asked why he stopped me. The cop was making up his reason and I said it wasn't true, he said it was. I mentioned that I have a tracker in my car that measures everything. He turned and walked away.

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    Peter Bear
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had to take a defensive driving course for a job once, and I was taught to match the flow of traffic. Don't go faster or slower than anyone else around you, because that's safest for everyone. So... yes, if literally everyone around me is going over the speed limit, so am I. Because it's actually safer.

    Panda Bear
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where I live you have to be really careful about driving the speed limit because drivers like to turn without checking. Nearly t-boned a guy this morning because he decided he needed to turn left RIGHT NOW

    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My toy car is speed limited to 45kph. Every time I see a 50 restriction sign, I think "oh, I can speed up if I could". 😂

    Zaach
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I learned that if you speed 9 mph over limit, it does not affect your insurance and, generally, the cops will leave you alone (this is for distance travel

    Carrie de Luka
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's going to vary by country most likely... In the UK some police forces and their speed cameras use a tolerance of around 10% plus 2mph, so exceeding the limit by 1-9mph might fall under these guidelines, but no one should assume this will always be the case.

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    nottheactualphoto
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I might be an old fart. I've had my car for 16 years, and I don't know how fast it can go.

    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you calculate your speed and distance you'll have the amount of time it'll take to get to your destination. Now, calculate your over the speed limit speed and distance. Notice you're only shaving off minutes, which you'll lose when the cop stops you. Not worth the surcharges.

    Cuppa tea?
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Especially in ities speeding is pointless. You not gonna arrive half an hour earlier and the risk of accident is not worth.

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most people don’t even bloody know that the speed limit is an order NOT A CHALLENGE 😂but yes I have a lot never been stopped ,or caught on a speed camera either ,don’t drive anymore thank god ,I can drive an artic ,n am a good driver , it’s the other idiots as worry me , (mind u I m on morphine n tramadol to be to walk ,n you can’t drive on those phew )

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    #5

    Man wearing a beanie and jacket driving while distracted by looking at his phone, illustrating illegal driving behavior. Distracted driving. Whether texting, changing the radio, eating or drinking….its all classified under distracted driving. (May vary some by state).

    EyeConscious857 , Norma Mortenson/Pexels Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Holding your phone while driving is a crime where I live.

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    #6

    Close-up of a person’s hand using a computer mouse while researching drive over the speed limit topics online. Clicking ‘I have read and agree to the terms and conditions.

    Professional_Goat442 , Jeswin Thomas/Pexels Report

    #7

    View from inside a car driving over the speed limit on a busy highway at night with blurred lights and traffic. Driving like f**king maniacs and endangering everyone else to gain mere seconds.
    LEAVE EARLIER if you're in a rush. It's crazy how it didn't bother me that much before, but now that i have a child, if somebody endagers while my child in the car by driving like a m****c, it makes me unreasonably angry at them.

    Miltzzz , Tolga Ahmetler/Pexels Report

    Sofia
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    cars are weapons and should be treated as such

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    #8

    Person holding a glass of wine, illustrating risky behavior related to drive over the speed limit and illegal actions. Drinking when under the age limit restrictions.

    coolbr33z , Elina Sazonova/Pexels Report

    Hmmm hmmmm
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Technically in the UK it is legal to drink alcohol in private from 5 years old and I don't know many toddlers who are drinking. Maybe some hungover toddlers around but not all.

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    #9

    Man wearing helmet riding bicycle at city street intersection, highlighting drive over the speed limit risks. For cyclists, traffic lights are recommendations.

    TearDownGently , Yura Forrat/Pexels Report

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    #10

    30 Crimes So Common They Barely Feel Illegal Anymore Tailgating nobody keeps a safe following distance anymore.

    Present-Loss5880 , Nikita Nikitin/Pexels Report

    Aleksandras Tvardauskas
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or when you keep a safe distance but someone decides its a good space to jump in so now you have to slow down to re-adjust.

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    #11

    Close-up of a red stop sign against a blue sky, illustrating traffic rules related to driving over the speed limit. Not fully stopping at Stop signs.

    dameon8888 , Fabio Lima/Pexels Report

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have no idea why, but it the States we call it the California Rolling Stop. Not sure what California has to do with it? 😂

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    #12

    Close-up of a speedometer showing a vehicle driving over the speed limit around 110 km/h at night. “Oh the speed limit is 65? Better go 85 and then be annoyed at people who are going 75”.

    anon , Pixabay/Pexels Report

    Anne Roberts
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get nervous when I'm going five to ten miles over the speed limit and other cars pass me like I'm standing still.

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    #13

    Person using a smartphone while driving, illustrating common illegal actions such as speeding and distracted driving. Texting/looking at phone while driving.

    Everyone is against it, but pick any random car and look...odds are good you will see someone doing it, or doing the look up look down thing.

    And checking at red-lights counts as texting/driving. The law in my state, and in most other states, doesn't differentiate between the car moving and the car being stationary.

    So you a******s doing it at red lights are still breaking the law in addition to not paying attention when it turns green.

    ImprovementFar5054 , Roman Pohorecki/Pexels Report

    Sandy Kavanaugh
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the car is running, you're at the wheel, and not moving, you're still the driver who is driving.

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    #14

    No urinating sign on a pole with a warning in Dutch about fines for illegal actions related to public behavior. Peeing in public. (Like, in a pinch).

    Eamonnshaman , Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) /Wikimedia Commons Report

    Ellinor she/they/elle
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those who have never peed in the sea/ocean among us, let you be the first to throw a stone at me.

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    #15

    Close-up of a Creative Commons license symbol printed on textured paper showing common illegal actions like driving over the speed limit. Copyright/IP/TOS. SO many things rely on violating some kind of copyright or IP, or a term of service deep in a contract no one read. Granted, I do it very intentionally, but if YouTube, or the internet in general, had to rely on the word of actual IP law, nothing would exist online but text, and a good portion of that would be illegal.

    Example, years ago the internet was full of websites where people wrote out guitar tabs for songs, unofficial, made by some guy online, a bunch of numbers and dashes showing you how to play a copyrighted song on guitar. The RIAA decided that was not legal, now all of the websites that don't pay them money, again to post text documents that are entirely numbers and dashes some guy guessed is the correct way to play a song, shut down.

    E: 2-2--2-4-5--5-5-4-2-2 There, I broke the law.

    glopthrowawayaccount , Umberto/Unsplash Report

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My father was an intellectual property attorney for over 40 years. For the most part no one is going to sue you if you post a guitar chord on your Facebook page. It's too expensive. But if your company tries to sell an exact replica of a patented medication (as long as the patent is still active) you can expect a $$$ lawsuit. Fun fact: my dad wrote the original patent for Mucinex. 😊

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    #16

    Hand wearing blue glove holding cannabis leaves outdoors, illustrating illegal activities like driving over the speed limit. Here in NH, w**d is illegal. Yet everyone smokes, we just go to Massachusetts for our goods lol.

    jilecsid513 , Aphiwat chuangchoem/Pexels Report

    NoRestfortheQWERTY
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fitting, as people from Massachusetts love to visit NH's tax-free state-run liquor stores.

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    #17

    Person using a laptop with hands on the keyboard in a dimly lit room, relating to driving over the speed limit topic. Online piracy.

    CristianoMbappe , freestocks.org/Pexels Report

    Malfar
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If buying isn't owning, piracy isn't stealing

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    #18

    City street traffic with multiple cars and taxis driving over the speed limit on a wet road during rush hour. Driving behavior in big cities is often more illegal than legal. Speeding, failing to signal, aggressive driving, failing to yield, phone use/distracted driving... And that's just one traffic light to the next for many drivers!

    ajs423 , Gabriel Hohol/Pexels Report

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you've ever ridden in a NYC taxi you have experienced all of this. And probably thought you were going to die. 😂

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    #19

    Man crossing street on stop sign area with cars parked, illustrating risks of driving over the speed limit. Jaywalk.

    ShallotWooden3109 , Yura Forrat/Pexels Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not illegal in most of the world, The only way to cross the street at all in much of it.

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    #20

    Basketball player in action on the court wearing a blue and gray uniform, emphasizing drive over the speed limit concept. Travel in the NBA.

    LazyShinobi , Erik Drost/Wikimedia Commons Report

    #21

    Person typing on a backlit laptop keyboard in a dark room, illustrating the concept of driving over the speed limit. P**n website is forbidden is south korea but we use vpn.

    Jaehlee203 , cottonbro studio/Pexels Report

    BeesEelsAndPups
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    P**n is a confusing one for me, legally speaking. In some states, it is legal to hire somebody to have s*x with you on camera to make p**n. But p**********n is illegal.

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    #22

    Matte gray car parked on street showcasing sleek design and tinted windows driving over the speed limit concept. Dark tinted windows.

    Shaepaigee , dumitru B/Pexels Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here in the UK, dark tinted car windows are illegal, the traffic cops carry equipment to measure light transmission, and you can expect to be pulled over if they think you've got illegally tinted windows.

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    #23

    Young man wearing headphones and green hoodie using laptop, focused on content about driving over the speed limit. Not giving your true birthday when you verify age on a website. (Eg, just plugging in 01/01/1980.) Violation of federal hacking laws, because you’re given fraudulent information to access a protected computer system.

    PoopMobile9000 , Eren Li/Pexels Report

    Emilu
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But it's so much quicker than scrooooooooooolling all the way to my actual age 🤣

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    #24

    30 Crimes So Common They Barely Feel Illegal Anymore Jaywalking. At least in the small tourist town I'm from. Drives me up the wall because traffic is always bad during high season and avoiding clueless drivers who aren't from here AND meat-and-skin based obstacles at the same time is hard as hell. Especially when they hide behind cars to jump in front of you outside of a crosswalk. It's like these people go on vacation and decide "I'd like to get ran over and die today."


    Rant over thank you for listening.

    xxxtenderloin , muna moono/Pexels Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Walking on any part of the street is perfectly legal where I live - unless it's a motorway. We have freedom here in the UK. Driver training ensures that we learn how to anticipate hazards such as wayward pedestrians. No-one ever "hides behind a car" to jump out in front of a car - any driver who think that's happened is a poor driver.

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    #25

    Car driving fast on highway at sunset, illustrating the illegal act of driving over the speed limit on open road. A lot of comments here have a skewed view of “almost everyone”. I think speeding is probably the only true answer. (W**d is legal all over the place and also done by a minority of ppl. Most ppl wouldn’t know how to pirate a movie. ).

    scbalazs , Taras Makarenko/Pexels Report

    Lady Eowyn
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really hate people using "pple" instead of "people."

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    #26

    30 Crimes So Common They Barely Feel Illegal Anymore Insider Trading. Overvaluing assets on loan applications.

    anon , Artem Podrez/Pexels Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hardly something done by "everybody".

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    #27

    Cars driving over the speed limit at a busy city intersection with pedestrians crossing and waiting on sidewalks. Turning on to a road into the far lane.

    toughplaydough , Aleks Magnusson/Pexels Report

    Zaach
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In WA the rule is to make the turn in the shortest distance - they may have updated that after all the round-a-bouts got built since the shortest distance bypasses the center island

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    #28

    Person wearing a blue sweatshirt typing on a laptop keyboard in a dimly lit room, illustrating drive over the speed limit concept. Watching p**n when you're under 18.

    rudown2brown , VAZHNIK/Pexels Report

    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Which is pretty funny really because the way I remember it teenagers past a certain age are OBSESSED with s-e-x. My classmates sure as hell wouldn't shut up about it.

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    #29

    Vintage car posters in plastic bins displayed outdoors, featuring classic Mustang and other automotive images. Have a garage sale and not report the earnings to the IRS for taxes.

    Your_As_Stupid_As_Me , Anastasiya Badun/Pexels Report

    Anne Roberts
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How much money does the typical garage sale make? A couple of hundred dollars? Plus I already paid taxes when I bought the stuff I'm selling

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    #30

    Family feeding pigeons in a busy public square, illustrating common illegal things everyone still does, including driving over speed limits. Feeding pigeons. It’s illegal in most places.

    Red_Marvel , Pam Crane/Pexels Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Most places" No. Absolutely not.

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    #31

    Person sitting on a mountain rock with a dog, enjoying nature, highlighting drive over the speed limit risks outdoors. To own a pet in USA and Canada (and am sure in other countries) without pet license.

    racist-hotdog , Bekka Mongeau/Pexels Report

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. Not true. Dogs maybe. You don't need one to own a cat. Or a horse.

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