The 1970s were not that long ago, but in some ways, they were a very different world. A lot of things that were common, accepted, or barely questioned back then would raise eyebrows now, especially when it comes to safety, health, and what the law allows.

Some of those changes happened because people learned more about long-term risks. Others came from shifting attitudes about children, public health, driving, consumer protection, and everyday safety. Looking back, it is surprising how many things were still legal in the 70s that would not be handled the same way today.

Seatbelts Being Barely Enforced

For much of the 1970s, seatbelt use was far less common and far less strictly enforced than it is now. In many places, wearing one felt optional, and many people simply did not think much about it.

That changed over time as crash data made the safety benefits harder to ignore. Today, seatbelt laws are standard, and not wearing one is much more likely to lead to a ticket or worse.

An 18-Year-Old Drinking Age in Many Places

In the 1970s, the legal drinking age was lower in many states, and 18-year-olds could legally drink in more places than people might expect today. At the time, that felt consistent with other adult responsibilities that began at 18.

Over time, rising concern about drunk driving and fatal crashes pushed states toward stricter laws. Now, the legal drinking age of 21 is standard across the country.

Widespread Use of Asbestos in Buildings

Asbestos was once used in all kinds of construction materials because it was cheap, durable, and heat-resistant. It showed up in insulation, flooring, roofing, ceiling tiles, and more.

The problem, of course, was that exposure came with serious health risks. Once that became more widely understood, its everyday use sharply declined and became much more heavily restricted.

Looser Child Labor Rules in Some Settings

Child labor laws existed before the 1970s, but there were still situations where restrictions were looser than most people would expect now, especially in agriculture and certain family-run work settings. What counted as acceptable work for kids was often viewed differently than it is today.

As labor protections strengthened and views on child welfare changed, expectations shifted too. There is now much more emphasis on safety, education, and limiting the kinds of work children can legally do.

Much Weaker Child Car Seat Laws

Child passenger safety looked very different in the 1970s. Kids often rode with only a regular seatbelt, no booster, or sometimes no real restraint at all beyond sitting in the back seat.

That would be unthinkable to many parents now. Child car seat laws became much stricter as evidence showed how much proper restraints reduced injuries and deaths.

Higher Legal BAC Limits for Drunk Driving

Drunk driving laws were not always as strict as they are today. In the 1970s, many states allowed higher blood alcohol limits, and public attitudes around drinking and driving were often much more casual.

That changed as advocacy groups, crash statistics, and public pressure forced lawmakers to take the issue more seriously. Modern drunk driving laws are much tougher, and enforcement is far more aggressive.

Leaded Gasoline Being Standard

Leaded gasoline was once completely normal and widely used. Most drivers did not think twice about it, and it was treated as just part of everyday life.

Later, the health consequences of lead exposure became much harder to ignore, especially for children. That is what pushed the long phaseout that eventually ended leaded gasoline use in regular vehicles.

Tobacco Advertising That Reached Kids

Cigarette advertising used to be far more visible and far more aggressive than it is now. Smoking was marketed as glamorous, cool, adult, and normal, and younger audiences were not nearly as shielded from that messaging.

As public health concerns grew, tobacco advertising rules tightened. What companies could show, who they could target, and where those ads could appear changed dramatically.

Owning Exotic Pets With Little Oversight

In the 1970s, it was easier in many places to own unusual animals with little regulation. Exotic pets were often treated as curiosities rather than something requiring serious oversight.

That became less acceptable as people paid more attention to public safety, animal welfare, and environmental concerns. Today, owning certain animals usually involves much more regulation, and in some places it is banned outright.

Corporal Punishment in Schools Being More Accepted

Physical punishment in schools was much more widely accepted in the 1970s than many people would be comfortable with now. Paddling and similar discipline methods were still used in many classrooms and were often seen as normal authority.

That changed gradually as attitudes about child discipline and school environments shifted. While laws still vary, corporal punishment is far less accepted than it once was.

Minimal Airport Security

Air travel in the 1970s was far less controlled than it is now. People could move through airports more casually, and the kind of security screening travelers expect today was nowhere near as intense.

That easygoing era is long gone. Modern airport security is much stricter because expectations around safety and risk have changed dramatically in the years that followed.

Selling Raw Milk More Freely

13 Things That's illegal Now But Was Illegal in The 70s — Image Credit: NIAID/Wikimedia Commons

Raw milk has long had supporters, but it was once sold more freely in more places than it is now. At the time, concerns about contamination and foodborne illness were not handled the same way they are today.

As outbreaks and public health concerns received more attention, states began tightening rules. Raw milk laws still vary, but in many places, access to raw milk is much more restricted now.