Is It Illegal to Stick Your Head out of a Car Window or Sunroof?
It’s easy for car drivers and passengers to get carried away and have a little too much fun on excursions. Some people even get a little wild and stick their heads out a car window, sunroof, or moonroof. Is that you? If so, are you wondering if it’s illegal? To find out, read more.
Can I legally stick my head out a car window?
Previously, we’ve covered how dogs like to stick their head out a car window. Dogs primarily do this because of the opportunity to smell many new scents, with their olfactory acuity that is many times stronger than humans. For humans, sticking their head out a car window could be just a chance to get a better view, enjoy some fresh air, or perhaps act a little crazy.
There are no official laws that state that it is illegal to stick your head out a car window. However, to be able to stick your head out a car window, you may need to unbuckle your seatbelt. In most driving situations, it’s illegal to drive or ride in a car without a seat belt, so you could be breaking the law if you do this.
Beyond the legality of sticking your head out a car window, it’s very dangerous. We discussed the various reasons why it’s dangerous for dogs to stick their head out a car window, but it mostly applies to humans as well. This includes the danger of falling out of a car, getting struck by flying objects and debris, risk of injury in a car accent, and wind damage to the ears.
Can I legally stick my head out of a car sunroof or moonroof?
Have you ever stuck your head out of a car sunroof or moonroof? An occasional sight that you’ll see is people partying in a limousine, with people sticking their heads through the sunroof or moonroof. It seems like a lot of fun, right?
Despite the thrill and enjoyment that one may experience by sticking their head out of a sunroof or moonroof, it’s very dangerous. It’s even more dangerous than sticking your head out a car window.
Also, in many municipalities, it’s illegal to stick your head out of a car sunroof or moonroof. In a conversation with the Los Angeles Times, Sam Samra, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol, discussed the danger of sticking your head out of a limousine sunroof.
“It’s a bad idea. If the driver of that limo has to make an emergency stop for any reason, you have no avenue of safety; your body is going to come into contact with the roof portion of that sunroof and you’re going to be severely injured if not ejected. It has kind of a disaster-waiting-for-a-place-to-happen feel to it.”
– Sam Samra, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol
It’s dangerous to stick your head out of a car window, sunroof, or moonroof
Regardless of the legality of sticking your head out of a car window, sunroof, or moonroof, one thing is clear: You shouldn’t do it, for it’s dangerous. The dangers of sticking your head out of a car window, sunroof, or moonroof are obvious. You’ll increase your risk of injury or death. There are plenty of other ways to find enjoyment on your car rides.
