Looking back on it, the ‘80s was a wonderful time, but it wasn’t exactly very safe. Sure, this meant a lot of freedom, but it was probably too much by today’s standards. Many activities that were once considered normal or even fun would now raise eyebrows, potentially even breaking the law! So, to reminisce over this wonderful albeit dodgy period in the UK, here are some activities that we loved doing in the ‘80s, despite them now probably being illegal.
Riding in the Boot of a Car
Kids piled into the boot of estate cars was a surprisingly common sight on family outings in the ‘80s. Seatbelts weren’t a legal requirement for backseat passengers, let alone anyone in the boot. It was part of the adventure, even if it came with a side of danger, so we do kind of miss it. However, it’s downright illegal today, so don’t even think about it, or you might face serious consequences.
Letting Children Buy Cigarettes
Back in the ‘80s, it wasn’t unusual for kids to be sent down to the shop to buy cigarettes for their parents. Shopkeepers rarely asked questions, and age restrictions were far less enforced than they are now. Today, this would land everyone involved in serious trouble, and probably for good reason.
Drinking in Public Without Worry
Having a can of lager in the park as a teenager didn’t cause much concern back in the day. Drinking in public places wasn’t as regulated, and no one seemed to mind too much. Now, though, public alcohol bans in many areas mean this carefree activity could lead to fines, and even then, it’s frowned upon.
Lighting Up Indoors
As you no doubt remember, smoking was everywhere in the 80s, including in offices, pubs, and even on buses! No one thought twice about lighting up in confined spaces, regardless of who else was around. Since then, the smoking ban has transformed indoor air quality, which is a relief, although it’s hard to forget how smoky public spaces used to be.
Driving Without Seatbelts
As we briefly mentioned earlier, seatbelt laws only came into force for front-seat passengers in 1983, and even then, many people ignored them. It was normal to see drivers and passengers unbelted, even on motorways. Rear-seat seatbelt laws came much later, leaving many to reminisce about bumpy rides with nothing holding them in.
Bringing Packed Lunches Without Allergy Warnings
Packed lunches at schools in the 80s were often full of peanuts, without a thought for allergies. Frankly, there was little awareness or concern for cross-contamination. Today, though, strict food allergy rules would make those carefree peanut butter sandwiches a definite no-go.
Leaving Kids in the Car Alone
‘80s parents thought nothing of leaving children in the car while they popped into the shop. There weren’t the same legal or cultural concerns about safety or responsibility, reminding us of how much safer life felt back then. Today, though, leaving a child unattended could result in serious consequences.
Playing in Construction Sites
Considering how freely kids roamed in the ‘80s, it perhaps isn’t surprising that they often treated building sites as playgrounds. Digging through sand piles or climbing scaffolding was such a thrill, even if it was incredibly dangerous. Today, health and safety rules would shut that down in an instant.
Hitchhiking Without a Care
Sticking your thumb out on the side of the road to catch a lift was seen as a perfectly valid way to travel back in the old days, as the risks involved weren’t widely discussed. Therefore, many relied on the kindness of strangers, but you won’t catch that nowadays, with hitchhiking being rare and strongly discouraged.
Selling Homemade Cakes Without a Hygiene Rating
Remember when bake sales at school or village fetes didn’t need certificates or inspections? Those were the good old days. People trusted that homemade cakes were safe to eat without worrying about allergens or hygiene standards, but current food safety regulations have made these simple events much more complex to organise.
Letting Kids Wander Without Supervision
Children playing outside until dusk, far from home and without mobile phones, was the norm just a few decades ago. Parents weren’t expected to keep a constant eye on their kids, giving both parties a heck of a lot more freedom. Imagine that today, though–such freedom would likely raise concerns about neglect or safety!
Ignoring Firework Safety
Bonfire Night in the 80s often involved kids lighting fireworks themselves, with sparklers being handed out freely without gloves or warnings about burns. Current regulations and safety campaigns would make those nights look reckless by comparison, although that’s probably for the best, as injuries were common.
Leaving Front Doors Unlocked
Oh were the days back when most households didn’t bother locking their doors during the day. Sometimes, this was even the case when no one was home! It was a sign of trust within communities, yet this casual approach to home security is a thing of the past, with stricter attitudes about safeguarding property now.
Riding Bikes Without Helmets
Cycling without a helmet was completely normal in the ‘80s, and no one thought it was a big deal. It didn’t matter if you were cycling on busy roads or country lanes–protection just wasn’t a priority. Helmets are now a standard safety feature, especially for children, and while they’re not very comfortable, it’s definitely for the best.
Burning Rubbish in the Garden
Bizarrely, garden bonfires to dispose of rubbish were a frequent sight just thirty or forty years ago, as there weren’t as many rules about smoke pollution or what could be burned. Neighbours were less likely to complain, but stricter environmental laws now make this practice largely illegal, which is definitely a positive thing.
Selling Toys That Weren’t Safe
You can probably remember how toys in the 80s often came with sharp edges, small parts, or hazardous materials–sometimes even flammable fabrics and choking hazards! Eventually, modern product safety standards banned many of the toys that children played with back then, making our children’s lives a lot safer.
Riding in Open-Top Vehicles Without Restraints
Just like sitting in the boot, sitting in the back of a convertible or open-top car without seatbelts wasn’t uncommon back in the good old days. It felt exciting and carefree, even if it was a bad idea in hindsight. Thankfully, restraint laws have since made these wild rides a distant memory.
Walking Home Alone at Night
Teenagers walking home late from discos or the cinema rarely raised concerns back in the day, primarily because communities were seen as safer, or people were simply less aware of potential dangers. Today, such independence for young people would likely spark worry, even though they all have smartphones to call for help!
Letting Dogs Roam Freely
If you remember a time when dogs wandered neighbourhoods without leashes, visiting friends and scavenging leftovers, you were definitely around in the ‘80s or before. Owners weren’t held accountable for their pets in the same way they are now, with modern leash laws and microchipping requirements completely transforming how dogs are managed in public.
Throwing Rubbish Out of Car Windows
Finally, it’s hard to wrap our heads around this, but littering from cars wasn’t seen as a serious offence in the ‘80s, so people rarely thought twice about tossing rubbish out of the window. Over time, we were all relieved to see anti-litter campaigns and stricter fines making this behaviour far less acceptable…in fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who still does it, which is great.
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