The 1970s were different times – safety standards were far less strict and many modern precautions were not yet normal practice. Children walked around unsupervised, people smoked freely and riding in pickup trucks was considered fun. Over time the laws changed. Some everyday activities from the ‘70s turned into legal offences that could result in fines or arrest. Here are 11 common behaviors from the 1970s that have since become illegal or face strict limitations.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.com.
Riding in the Back of a Pickup Truck
Back in the day, jumping onto the back of a pickup truck was everyone’s favorite ride. Both kids and adults enjoyed rides in pickup trucks without seatbelts, enjoying the breeze. The ride was a blast until you hit a bump. Most states now prohibit riding in pickup trucks as flying out of a moving truck is extremely dangerous.
No Seatbelts or Car Seats
During the 1970s, seatbelt usage wasn’t mandatory and many people ignored them completely. Children rode in cars without car seats – they either sat in the front seat, climbed over the back seat or sat on their parents’ lap. Some parents even put their infants in wicker baskets and placed them on the passenger seat. Strict laws now require seatbelts for drivers and passengers and children up to a specific age must use car seats.
Smoking Indoors (Everywhere!)
People smoked everywhere—in restaurants, offices, airplanes, hospitals, and even inside government buildings. Office desks and airplane armrests always included ashtrays as standard equipment. Most public spaces have indoor smoking bans today and additional restrictions prevent smoking near building entrances in certain states.
Letting Kids Roam Free
Parents in the ‘70s had a simple rule: “Be home before dark.” Children biked long distances from home to explore creeks and visit malls – all without phones, digital tracking or constant supervision. Parents could face neglect charges today if they leave their children unattended for extended periods especially in public spaces.
Drinking and Driving (Without Serious Consequences)
People understood the risks of drinking and driving yet laws were much less strict than today. Police often gave drunk drivers warnings or instructed them to drive home safely. Some “open container” laws even allowed passengers and occasionally drivers to keep alcohol in their vehicles. Modern DUI laws are strict and even a first offense can lead to fines, jail time, and license suspension.
Buying Over-the-Counter Cough Syrup with Codeine
Need a stronger cough syrup? A stronger cough syrup with codeine was available in any pharmacy without needing a prescription. Current regulations strictly control all products with codeine content due to their addictive potential and history of abuse. People now require prescriptions to buy codeine-containing products and pharmacists monitor each purchase.
Not Wearing Helmets
It used to be completely normal for people to ride bikes and motorcycles without helmets and no one thought twice about this. Back in the day, people thought wearing helmets was “uncool” yet modern laws mandate helmet use across many states, especially to protect kids and motorcyclists from head injuries.
Playing with Lawn Darts (Jarts)
The outdoor game of lawn darts (jarts) involved players throwing heavy metal-pointed darts at a target. The problem? The metal-tipped darts were extremely sharp, which resulted in many children needing hospital care or suffering more severe consequences. A series of serious injuries led the United States to ban them in 1988.
Hitchhiking
If you needed a ride in the ‘70s, you just stuck out your thumb and waited for a stranger to pick you up. At the time, people commonly accepted hitchhiking as a standard travel method and many even planned long-distance trips by picking rides along the way. But hitchhiking is now illegal in some states, particularly on highways due to safety concerns. With all the true crime stories out there, it’s not hard to see why this one faded away.
Leaving Kids in the Car Alone
Parents often left their children unattended in vehicles when running errands – sometimes for extended periods. Parents didn’t think leaving a sleeping toddler in the backseat posed any danger. But today, it’s a major safety issue. Strict laws prevent adults from leaving children unattended inside vehicles since extreme weather conditions pose serious dangers.
Corporal Punishment in Schools
Teachers and principals could physically discipline students (often using wooden paddles) for bad behavior. Although corporal punishment remains legal in some states today, the majority of schools have implemented full bans against the practice. A teacher who hit a student today would probably lose their job and face legal consequences.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us on MSN.
