Remember These? 17 Things From the 1970s That Are Illegal Now

If you were around in the ‘70s then you’ll know that they were a completely different time compared to today. People lived with fewer rules, which means what was normal then is completely wild to people these days. Here are 17 things from the 1970s that are now illegal.

Riding in the Back of a Pickup Truck

Back in the day, this was something that was totally normal in neighborhoods everywhere. Piling into the open bed of a pickup truck was a fun way to head across town. But now, many states have made it illegal, especially on highways or faster roads.

Not Wearing Seat Belts

In the 1970s, wearing a seat belt was considered optional, and some people didn’t even know how to use them. Drivers would casually ride around unbuckled, and children often stood up or moved freely around the back seat.

There were no shoulder straps in many vehicles, and belt reminders didn’t exist. As crash statistics piled up, laws changed fast. Nowadays, nearly every state requires seat belts for all front-seat passengers.

Letting Kids Ride Without Car Seats

If you grew up back then, you might remember standing up in the back seat or even sitting in the front with no restraint at all. Car seats were more of a luxury than a necessity, and many families didn’t use them at all. In some cases, kids rode on a parent’s lap or in homemade boosters.

Hitchhiking

It’s hard to imagine now, however, hitchhiking was a popular way for people, especially young travelers and students, to get from place to place. It wasn’t unusual to see folks with backpacks and cardboard signs on the side of the road.

However, concerns about safety and a few high-profile tragedies led to new laws. More recently, hitchhiking is banned outright on most interstates and highways and is restricted or illegal in many states.

Burning Trash in the Backyard

A few decades ago, burning your trash was just another weekend chore. There was little regulation around smoke or fire risk.

Then, concerns about pollution and air quality changed everything. Most cities and suburbs now ban open burning or require a permit.

Riding Bikes Without Helmets

When you picture kids from the ’70s, helmets probably aren’t part of the image. Bike riding was about freedom, and helmets were practically unheard of outside of professional racing. Kids rode through neighborhoods, parks, and even busy streets with no head protection at all.

Corporal Punishment in Schools

This might come as a shock if you weren’t around back then. Corporal punishment was legal and widely used in public schools. Teachers or principals had the authority to physically discipline students for things like talking back or being disruptive.

While some families supported the practice, public opinion shifted over time, and concerns over abuse and student rights grew.

Driving Without a License or Insurance

To be honest, some folks didn’t take driving laws all that seriously in the ’70s. In rural areas, especially, it was normal for teenagers, or even younger, to drive without a valid license. Insurance was seen as optional, and enforcement was light. As traffic accidents increased, laws were put in place to make sure drivers were licensed and insured.

No Emissions Control on Vehicles

Car lovers from the past might remember that vehicles from the 1970s were often gas guzzlers that released thick exhaust without any filtering. Environmental regulation was in its early stages, and cars didn’t have catalytic converters or emission sensors.

The Clean Air Act and EPA regulations brought massive changes. In modern society, most states require emissions testing before you can register your car, and vehicles that don’t meet standards can’t legally be driven.

Drinking and Driving Without Consequences

As hard as it is to believe, drunk driving wasn’t taken nearly as seriously decades ago. Police had fewer tools to detect it, and penalties were often little more than a warning. Some people were told to ‘drive safe and get home,’ even after obvious signs of intoxication.

Fireworks in Residential Areas

If you celebrated summer holidays in this decade, you probably remember the sound of firecrackers all night long. Stores sold fireworks freely, and setting them off in your driveway or backyard was part of the fun. However, those celebrations led to injuries and fires.

Littering Without Penalty

Weirdly, this one used to be shockingly common. Roadsides and parks were often littered with trash, and there weren’t many consequences. That started to change with public awareness campaigns like ‘Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute’ and tougher local laws. Today, littering is illegal everywhere, and enforcement includes fines and public service.

Using Lead Paint

Folks from this decade used to love lead-based paint. It was used in homes, toys, furniture, and even baby cribs because it was durable and bright. However, it was also toxic, especially to children.

By the end of the decade, the U.S. banned lead paint for residential use. Fast forward to now, and disturbing or removing lead paint requires professionals trained in hazardous materials, and selling new products with lead paint is strictly illegal.

Using Playground Equipment Without Safety Standards

If you visited a playground in this era, it was full of tall metal slides and climbing structures over hard-packed dirt or concrete. There were no guardrails or height limits, just metal and momentum. Injuries were common, but most were brushed off as kids being kids.

Using Lawn Darts

No doubt about it, this one’s remembered more for the chaos than the fun. Lawn darts, also known by the brand name Jarts, were sharp metal darts designed to be tossed across the yard into plastic targets. The problem was that they were sharp and dangerous. Hundreds of injuries were reported every year, many involving children.