Some Strange things found only in America

The world is beautiful place. So, is America.

Also, the world is full of strange things. And America is no different.

However, there are certain things you’d find only in America. For example:-

– 40% of the babies in the USA are born to unmarried women.

– It’s legal for children under 18 to smoke. (except in Nevada) Albeit it’s illegal for them to purchase cigarettes. (They can still – legally – light up)

– At some places in USA, you can literally walk into a mall and buy a gun.

– And there exists a road HIGHWAY where it is illegal to drive a car. (Can you believe it!?)

It’s…Silly; but, it’s a fact POINT!
(And that’s what every piece of content on this website is)

So, How did America invent something as odd as this?

First up, the highway I am talking of is the M-185 in Mackinac Island in the state of Michigan.

This highway hasn’t been listed on the USA’s National Highway System.
Why so..?

Well, because:-

a.) It’s far narrower than a normal highway.

b.) It does not intersect with any other highway, or a major road for that matter. It’s rather an 8-mile long circular road that goes around the Mackinac Island.

c.) And most importantly, it is illegal to drive a car on this highway.

BUT, it is anyhow called a HIGHWAY…

…because the authorities – on July 12th, 1933 – decided to call it so.

And hence, it is the only Highway in the country where motor vehicles are banned.

As a matter of fact, it is illegal to drive a car anywhere on this island!

Why is it illegal to drive a car on the Mackinac Island?

The reason behind this are two laws passed in 1898 and 1901 banning “horseless carriages” a.k.a. automobiles from the highway and then the remaining island, respectively.

This weird ordinance was issued in accordance with, apparently, “the fear of automobiles”

You see, back in those days, the best mode of transport was either a horse-driven carriage or the horse itself. Therefore a lot of residents who took the highway were travelling by either of the two modes.

The newly invented automobiles, however, would scare the horses and consequently, endanger the well being of the people travelling by these modes.

In fact, there is a reported incident where a doctor named Earl C. Anthony drove out in his Locomobile only for the horses to get scared and cause accidents.

Hence, the laws were passed and even today it is illegal to drive a car at M-185 or anywhere on the Mackinac Island.

The Good Part!

You could, although take a bicycle onto this 12km long highway and enjoy the picturesque route.

Mackinac Island is actually a beautiful place. It is also a popular summer holiday destination not only in America but also among foreigners.

The best part about riding a bicycle on this highway is the low probability of a life threatening accident (As there are no cars on it. Duh!)

But, just in case there is one, you’d be happy to know that the firetruck and ambulance are two motor vehicles exempted from this law.

However, the irony is the ONLY accident that ever took place on M-185 was when a firetruck ran into an ambulance.

I know…

“It’s kinda SILLY..
but, it’s A POINT!

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