Posted in Alabama September 04, 2021 by

20 Alabama Laws That Are So Strange You’ll Be Shaking Your Head

It’s no secret that laws are made to protect us. However, it seems like legislators are trying to control people’s lives a little too much and some of the laws they make are flat out insane! Check out these weird laws in Alabama to understand what I mean. They’ve all been in the law books at one time or another, and some still are. Granted, most of these weird laws in Alabama would not actually ever be enforced, but they’re completely real. There are some strange things in Alabama, and these top the list!

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1.) You must have windshield wipers on your car.
flickr / state farm
With Alabama weather being as unpredictable as it is, would anyone want to drive without them?!
2.) In Mobile, it's illegal to spit orange peels onto the sidewalk.
wikimedia commons
Just in case you ever wondered why the streets aren't littered with orange peels, this may be the reason. But we think we'd rather step on an orange peel than a banana peel any day, if cartoons have taught us anything!
3.) Putting salt on a railroad track can be punishable by death.
wikimedia commons
This one sounds like one of the most weird laws in Alabama, but there's actually a reason behind it. Salt can attract cattle onto the tracks, and obviously that is not a good thing. So leave the salt at home!
4.) Boogers must not be flicked into the wind.
deviant art / demongrinder
Eww! Okay, this is gross! Disgusting!
5.) It's illegal to impersonate a priest.
wikipedia
Well, there's a Halloween costume idea you can mark off your list.
6.) It's illegal to wear a fake moustache in church because it could cause laughter.
flickr / mike mozart
We're not really sure we wouldn't be some of the ones laughing. Don't judge!
7.) In Mobile, it's illegal to spray silly string.
flickr / Makuahine Pa'i Ki'i
Come on! It's silly string for crying out loud! What's so wrong with having a little fun? Confetti is also illegal in Mobile, even if you plan to sweep it up after.
8.) In Montgomery, it's illegal to open an umbrella on a street.
flickr / Sankarshan Mukhopadhyay
This is another of the illegal things in Alabama that seem strange but did make sense at one point in time. The opening of an umbrella is very likely to spook horses, so in a society without cars, it could have truly resulted in a disaster.
9.) It's illegal to wear a mask in public.
wikipedia
Alabama was the first state in the Deep South to enact an anti-masking law, way back in 1949. The law was designed to curb Ku Klux Klan activity. Who knew that we'd still be debating masks 80 years later!
10.) It's illegal to put an ice cream cone in your back pocket.
StockSnap/Pixabay
We're not really sure why you'd want to do this, as it sounds quite messy. Apparently, it was once common to steal horses away from carriages by luring them away with a strategically-placed ice cream cone.
11.) In Lee County, it's illegal to sell peanuts after sundown on Wednesdays.
wikimedia commons
This one is apparently not a law any more, but it really has us scratching our heads. Why just on Wednesdays? Who angered Lee County so much that they had to enact this?
12.) It's legal to drive down a one-way street the wrong way as long as you have a lantern attached to the front of your vehicle.
wikipedia
At that point, you are probably better off just turning your headlights on.
13.) Bear wrestling matches are illegal.
wikimedia commons
Rats, there goes our plans for the weekend.
14.) Dominoes must not be played on Sundays.
wikipedia
No bear wrestling AND no dominoes? What are we supposed to do for fun on a Sunday?
15.) It's illegal for someone to drive while blindfolded.
pixabay / wilkernet
We're not really sure why someone would attempt to do this, but now that we think about it, it does explain the driving skills of quite a few Alabamans...
16.) In Mobile, bathing in city fountains is not allowed.
wikimedia commons
Watching someone bathe in the local city fountain is not on the top of our to-do lists, so we're kind of glad for this one.
17.) In Huntsville, if an animal control officer is in uniform, it indicates to the public he's a control officer.
wikipedia
Who would have thought?!
18.) In Anniston, it's illegal to wear blue jeans while walking down Noble Street.
flickr / nacho
So next time you've got on denim, find an alternate walking route!
19.) Incestuous marriages are legitimate here in Alabama.
wikimedia commons
This one is not only one of the weird laws in Alabama, it's also the source of quite a few negative stereotypes. Yuck!
20.) In case of divorce, women are entitled to keep all of the property they owned before the marriage. However, this law doesn't apply to men.
pixabay / stevepb
Now, where's the fairness in this?

Did you know about these strange things in Alabama? These are some pretty crazy laws. They may not be enforced, but it’s still ridiculous that some of these laws still exist! Do you know of any other weird laws in Alabama?

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Fun Facts About Alabama

September 09, 2021
Lisa Sammons

What are some fun facts about Alabama?

Did you know we are the only state with an official state beverage that is alcoholic? The tasty Conecuh Ridge Whiskey is our official beverage! Magnolia Springs is the only state in the country with an all-water mail route. Check out this list for some more Alabama trivia!

What is life in Alabama like?

We have some unfair stereotypes, but life in Alabama is pretty great. Southern hospitality, amazing scenery, delicious food…what’s not to love? There are so many reasons to consider a move to Alabama.

What are some things to do in Alabama?

We’ve got plenty of natural wonders to enjoy! There are tons of great museums, 21 state parks, and countless fantastic restaurants. Whether you’re in one of our bigger cities like Birmingham or our more rural areas, there’s plenty to see and do in the Cotton State.