It's also relatively standard practice in the US. Of course it's illegal "by the books" just like in France and some parts of the UK. At worst you'd probably get a fine if you get caught in a densely populated urban environment without a good reason.

It's incredibly misleading to say that peeing on the side of the road in an emergency could put you on the sex offenders' registry.

I'd be interested in an example of someone getting on the registry for public peeing without egregious extenuating circumstances (repeated offence next to a daycare, or something)

Not exactly an "example" but apparently 13 states have laws on the books specifically requiring registration if you are caught urinating in public. Some stipulate "repeat offenses", some stipulate "in view of a child" (The Horror!!), but most do neither [1].

1. https://www.hrw.org/report/2007/09/11/no-easy-answers/sex-of...

The same applies in the UK, but like the US you’re unlikely to get arrested unless you’re doing something more than peeing behind a bush.

There doesn't appear to be any general law specifically restricting public urination in the UK.

There are local bylaws.

And there are more serious laws for sexual behaviour etc.