Using mobile devices for navigation while driving is deemed unlawful by California court decision.
Cellphone Laws and Distracted Driving: A Quick Guide
Ever thought it's okay to check maps on your phone while driving? Think again!
In a ruling on Tuesday, a California appeals court confirmed that it's illegal to hold your phone to see a map on its screen while driving. This applies even if you're not swiping or tapping the navigation application.
California legislators passed this law to decrease distracted driving caused by modern phones, encouraging drivers to keep their eyes on the road.
So, what about mounted phones or using them with a single swipe? They're exempt, but looking at a map while holding the phone is a violation of the law.
This decision came after Nathaniel Gabriel Porter was fined for looking at a map on his phone while driving. Porter contested the ticket, but lost in the initial court hearing and was ordered to pay a $158 fine. He later appealed the decision but lost again. The appeals court, however, overturned the decision, ruling that viewing GPS directions doesn't constitute active use or manipulation of the device.
However, the California Court of Appeal for the Sixth Appellate District reversed the decision, stating that the law prohibits holding a phone while driving for any purpose, including viewing maps.
This ruling expands the scope of the law, which in 2016 was amended to address concerns about using cellphones for any purpose while driving. The law now explicitly includes gaming, browsing the internet, and looking at a map on the phone's screen while holding the device.
Additional Reads
- California's stance on large-capacity ammunition magazines
- The future of digital driver's licenses in California
- California's gun control measures in sensitive areas
Insights
The California law, which aims to reduce distracted driving, now prohibits holding a phone for any purpose while driving, including using maps. The only exception is if the phone is mounted on the dashboard or windshield and used in a hands-free manner. This ruling aligns with the intent of the law to minimize distractions caused by modern phones and encourage drivers to focus on the road.
California's recent ruling prohibits holding a phone for any purpose, such as viewing maps, while driving. This expansion of the law aligns with the intent to reduce distracted driving caused by modern technology and encourages drivers to use hands-free technology or mount their phones on the dashboard or windshield.
