17 Everyday Practices Americans Insist Must Become Illegal
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Have you ever been stuck behind a driver texting on their phone or paid an unexpected “convenience fee” for something that didn’t feel convenient?
Across the country, more and more Americans are calling for standard practices to be made illegal. A Pew Research Center survey suggests that 68% of American internet users believe current laws are not good enough to protect people’s privacy online, and 64% believe the government should do more to regulate advertisers. What should those regulations target? Frustrating fees or dangerous habits?
Here are 17 everyday practices people want to be banned – and why. Has any of these made it onto your list?
Price Gouging
Raising prices on essentials, such as water or gas, during hurricanes or wildfires is widely condemned. “If you look at price gouging, the people who are affected are the most vulnerable populations most often,” the University of Southern California explained in an article.
In theory, laws against price gouging should prevent businesses from exploiting consumers during times of crisis. However, enforcement can be challenging, says the University of Miami School of Law.
Predatory Payday Lending
People often get trapped in the wheels of debt when they use payday loans. In fact, the Center for Responsible Lending research finds that most borrowers are charged more than 400 percent interest per year.
So many advocate capping these rates or banning payday lending altogether.
Distracted Driving
In the U.S., using a phone while driving is often the leading cause of accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,308 people were killed, and an estimated additional 289,310 people were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022.
Some Americans want stricter bans even though many states already have laws against texting while driving, but enforcement varies.
Charging Hidden Fees
Millions of people are frustrated by hidden fees on tickets, in hotels, and in banking services. According to a study by Consumer Reports, 85 percent of Americans have been caught by surprise in the last year by unexpected fees.
Advocate groups are pushing for laws requiring full-price transparency.
Littering
Littering harms the environment and costs taxpayers millions in cleanup. The United States produces too much trash. In 2018 alone, America threw out over 292 million tons of municipal solid waste.
That’s nearly 1,800 pounds per person every year, as reported by Environment America in 2021, with a cleanup cost running in billions of dollars.
Workplace Wage Theft
Wage theft occurs when employers don’t pay workers what they’re owed, at least not all of it, unpaid overtime, or not properly classifying employees as employees instead of contractors.
As stated by the Economic Policy Institute, Cooper and Kroeger estimated that workers throughout the country lose $15 billion annually from minimum wage violations alone, and more are calling for increased enforcement.
A Facade to Facial Recognition Use That Isn’t Being Regulated
Law enforcement and private companies are increasingly using facial recognition technology, but Georgetown University law experts say there are no adequate guards in place to ensure its correct use.
The technology raises concerns over discrimination because studies have shown that it has higher error rates for people of color, and some libraries have already banned it.
Data Without Consent
Most Americans must learn that personal information is being bought and sold online. A Pew Research Center report says that majority of U.S. adults are concerned about how their data is used.
Advocates are calling for stricter privacy laws, such as those in place in the European Union.
Burning Trash
Burning household waste adds pollutants to the air, contributing significantly to respiratory illnesses. Burning trash releases toxins such as dioxins, which are cancer-causing, warns the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This practice has already been banned in many areas but must be more consistently enforced.
Leaving Pets in Hot Cars
We are aware that every year, pets die in hot cars. On a 70°F day, the Humane Society of the United States says, the temperature inside a car can reach 100°F in only 20 minutes.
Apparently, animal rights activists are asking for stricter penalties for the offenders.
Selling Expired Food
Now, having said this, some stores sell near-expiration or expired food for a lower price, which can also be a health risk. Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic says clearer food labeling laws are needed to give consumers a better grasp of expiration dates and avoid spoiled products.
Spamming Robocalls
Besides being annoying, robocalls are also a portal for scams. According to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), Americans received over 50 billion robocalls in 2022.
Many advocates are also calling for harsher penalties for violators.
Emissions Test Driving
Cars that do not meet emissions standards cause air pollution, which causes a lot of premature deaths every year in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association. However, many want stricter emissions testing across the country.
Unsafe E-Scooter Use
E-scooters are great, but some are Riders who disregard traffic laws. Rides without helmets are dangerous. According to a study from UCLA Health, e-scooter injuries doubled between 2019 and 2021.
Cities are considering proposals to increase safety.
Misleading Food Labels
Labels like “natural” or “healthy” can be deceptive. A study by Tufts University found that approximately half of “healthy” labeled snacks were high in sugar or sodium. Consumer advocates are urging tighter regulation.
Nonrecyclable Packaging
Landfill waste comes from packaging that cannot be recycled. The University of Michigan states that 48% of U.S. landfill waste was packaging materials in 2018. Environmentalists are urging a ban on non-recyclable packaging.
Smoking in Public Spaces
Secondhand smoke causes health problems and may affect someone who does not smoke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among adults who do not smoke, secondhand smoke causes nearly 34,000 premature deaths from heart disease each year in the U.S.
Expanding smoke-free zones has the support of many.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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