Each state has its own obscure and bizarre laws that just aren’t very relevant anymore. Some of them are so strange it can be difficult to imagine why they were ever passed in the first place. Here are 10 weird laws in Rhode Island that are hard to believe actually exist.

1. Throwing pickle juice on a trolley is an offense in Rhode Island.
Flickr/leezie5
We're not sure why someone would do such a thing, but it must have been common enough to become law. Of all the illegal things in Rhode Island, would you even expect one to include pickles?
2. Intentionally biting off someone's limb is understandably illegal in the Ocean State.
Flickr/Tambako The Jaguar
What sorts of things were happening in little Rhody that created a need to clearly make biting off someone's limb illegal? Hopefully we'll never know.
3. In case you were considering stringing rope lower than 14 feet across a highway in the state, don't. It's illegal.
Flickr/Jeff
The penalty is a fine between $100 and $500. You can probably see why these are classified as weird laws in Rhode Island.
4. Riding a horse on the highway for the purpose of testing its speed is not allowed either.
Flickr/Rayand
You'll have to find another way to test your horse's speed in Rhode Island.
5. Professional sports, with the exception of hockey and ice polo, need a special license to play on Sundays.
Flickr/Slidingsideways
I guess football and baseball just didn't make the cut.

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6. There is a law requiring loud noises to be made whenever you're passing someone on the left.
Flickr/Peasap
A turn signal just doesn't cut it in Rhode Island, apparently.
7. It is illegal to coast downhill in neutral in the state.
Flickr/Brownpao
Who doesn't love coasting in neutral from time to time?
8. Both challenging, or accepting, a dual is illegal in the state.
Flickr/Basegreen
Even if the fight never happens, this offense is still punishable by law. Punishment includes a prison sentence between one and seven years.
9. Did you know it's illegal in Providence for a store to sell a toothbrush and toothpaste to the same customer on a Sunday?
Flickr/Kenneth Lu
We're not sure exactly why, but it is definitely illegal in the city. This might be one of the stranger illegal things in Rhode Island, wouldn't you say?
10. Smoking a pipe after sunset in the city of Newport is not allowed.
Flickr/Dana
This is a highly bizarre punishable offense.

Do you know of any other weird laws in Rhode Island? What are the ones that confuse you the most? Let us know in the comments! Then take a peek at these 10 illegal things in Rhode Island.

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Weird Laws In Rhode Island

Beth Price-Williams | August 10, 2021

What are some illegal things in Rhode Island?

Sure, there are some things that you just can’t do in Rhode Island or anywhere – driving drunk and committing murder, for example. However, there are some illegal things in Rhode Island that just might leave you perplexed. If it ever crosses your mind to steal a stone wall, just don’t, or you might find yourself behind a wall of a different kind (read: jail). You really don’t want to go to an auction, or anywhere in Rhode Island, and impersonate an auctioneer. It might sound fun, but it’s illegal. Either save that pickle juice or drink it down quickly if you’re on or passing a trolley. If you throw the pickle juice on the trolley, you’re in a whole lot of trouble. Just another one of those amusing illegal things in Rhode Island.

What are some strange things about Rhode Island that not a lot of people know?

Other may say there are strange things about Rhode Island, but let’s face it. We love all of our little quirks. It’s what makes us classic Rhode Island. If you say otherwise, you’ll likely anger us. When we’re angry, we’ll let you know by slipping “wicked” into our sentences a few times. Everyone else may call it a drinking or a water fountain, but to us it’s a bubbler. We wear shorts in the winter and eat pizza with just the sauce – no cheese. The passing lane is for passing, you say? Well, we like to cruise in it.

Can you tell me some fun facts about Rhode Island?

Whether we live here or are just passing through, we can all agree that Rhode Island’s a pretty awesome state – and nothing proves that better than some of these fun facts about Rhode Island. Did you know, for example, that “The Night Before Christmas” was written right here in Rhode Island? The world can also thank us for Mr. Potato Head, side burns, and the classic American diner.

 

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