These Car Features Are No Longer Allowed to Be Installed or Used
Car designs and trends change with time. Over the years, there have been plenty of innovative features that undoubtedly improve the overall driving experience. However, there have also been a number of rather questionable features that simply make us wonder why they were popular in the first place. Let’s take a closer look at 15 car features that have been banned in recent years.
Loud Exhausts
Even though the exhaust system of any car plays a significant role in its overall functioning, many drivers choose ‘style’ over practicality. As a result, exhausts were modified in order to create the most noise possible when driving. Luckily, this trend has started to fade, as excessively loud exhaust systems have since been banned.
Pop-Up Headlights
Back in the day, pop-up headlights were all the rage. They could simply fold away when not in use. Despite how futuristic they may have looked, however, they also came with some safety concerns. As a result, they are now banned in most countries.
Neon Lighting
Neon lights were once an incredibly popular car modification. As the name suggests, the lights would be used to illuminate the underside of the car in a variety of neon colors. However, external lights (aside from headlights, of course) are now banned in many counties, including parts of the United States.
Rumble Seats
Rumble seats were created to provide passengers with additional seating space. However, even though they might sound practical, they were far from safe. In fact, they popped out of the back of vehicles, meaning that passengers had no protection from the car frame. For this reason, it doesn’t come as too much of a surprise that the feature was ultimately banned.
Giant Chrome Bumpers
Chrome bumpers used to be the height of car fashion. However, like many fashionable features, they served no real purpose other than to look good. On the contrary, they actually provided less protection than regular bumpers, which ultimately led to their banning.
Fender-Mounted Mirrors
Mirrors are integral for driving. However, they have to be perfectly positioned in order to actually be effective. Fender-mounted mirrors may have looked unique and futuristic, but they proved to be ineffective in improving visibility, ultimately leading to their eventual ban.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighters
It’s safe to say that most people understand the dangers associated with smoking. However, back in the day, it was much more common - so much so that cars actually featured built-in ashtrays and cigarette lighters. Since then, these features have been banned in an effort to discourage smoking.
Built-In Car Phones
We all know that texting and driving is a big no-no. However, not so long ago, cars used to come fitted with built-in phones. This feature was banned for obvious reasons.
Dash-Mounted TVs
Back in the day, car manufacturers used to have dash-mounted TVs installed in order to keep drivers entertained on long, boring road trips. While this may have been a good idea in theory, it also served as a significant distraction and, therefore, posed a safety risk. As a result, it was promptly banned.
Skinny A-Pillars
All cars have components, called pillars, that support the roof. A-pillars flank the windshield and are essential for the car's overall structural integrity. Not too long ago, skinny A-pillars were seen as sleek and stylish, despite the fact that they weren’t the safest option.
Line Locks
Line locks were a performance modification that allowed the car's front brakes to lock while the rear wheels continued to spin. As you can imagine, this feature was perfect for burnouts. However, due to anti-hooning laws, this feature was eventually banned completely.
Bull Bars
A bull bar is essentially a strong metal grille mounted to the front of a vehicle. Typically used on off-road vehicles, it helped to prevent car damage during collisions. However, due to the safety risk that they posed to pedestrians, they were banned in a number of countries, including the whole of Europe.
Radar Detectors
While a radar detector may sound cool, it doesn’t serve much practical use - unless you are a part of law enforcement, of course. Due to the fact that many civilians were using this tool to interfere with police work, they were banned from non-police use entirely.
Tinted Front Windows
Tinted windows were once deemed stylish and trendy. However, they also restricted visibility and made it difficult to identify reckless drivers. As a result, they were banned.
Aftermarket Turbochargers
While aftermarket turbochargers aren’t completely banned in many regions, they are heavily restricted. This mostly comes down to strict emission laws and vehicle inspection standards.
