G.S. 20-171. Traffic laws apply to persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles
The full text of G.S. 20-171 (Traffic laws apply to persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles), with plain-English commentary from North Carolina DWI defense attorneys Chris Adkins and Chris Purkey in the side column. Article 3: Motor Vehicle Act of 1937.
§ 20-171. Traffic laws apply to persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
Every person riding an animal or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a highway shall be subject to the provisions of this Article applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions of the Article which by their nature can have no application. (1939, c. 275.)
Official text of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-171 as published by the North Carolina General Assembly (Chapter 20 PDF, retrieved November 10, 2026). Verify the current version on ncleg.gov ↗.
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