CA drivers can legally read maps on their phone while drivin

[FishPOET]

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/na...247644341.html

Drivers in California can legally read a map on their hand-held cellphones while behind the wheel, a state appeals court ruled Thursday.

The 5th District Court of Appeal reversed the case of a Fresno man who was ticketed in January 2012 for looking at a map on his iPhone 4 while stuck in traffic. The driver, Steven Spriggs, challenged the $165 fine and won.

Spriggs was caught up by road work and grabbed his cellphone to find an alternate route when a California Highway Patrol officer on a motorcycle spotted him and stopped him to write the ticket.

In their 18-page ruling, the appellate judges said California's law prohibiting people from talking on their cellphones without a hands-free device could have been written more clearly, but it doesn't apply to looking at maps on cellphones.

The law a California Highway Patrol officer used to ticket Spriggs applies specifically to people "listening and talking" on cellphones, not using their mobile phone in other ways, the court said.

[curtis]

So I'm not texting I'm looking at the map?

[Roger]

Oh my goodness, an outbreak of common sense!!

[USMC 0369]

[COLOR="#800000"]..."listening and talking" on cellphones, not using their mobile phone in other ways,.....

Sooooo texting isn't "listening or talking".... [/COLOR]

[curtis]

So I guess texting is ok. Because I can send texts by voice.

[Jason]

Always keep a map on your phone open and you have a way out I guess.

[NAILER341]

I will be testing this in court soon. The truth is, I was commanding my phone in GPS mode. Had a Bluetooth device and still got the ticket.
At least he wrote on the ticket that it was activating a GPS.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Electronic Wireless Communications Device: Prohibited Use

23123.5. (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text–based communication, unless the electronic wireless communications device is specifically designed and configured to allow voiceoperated and hands-free operation to dictate, send, or listen to a text-based communication, and it is used in that manner while driving.

(b) As used in this section “write, send, or read a text-based communication” means using an electronic wireless communications device to manually communicate with any person using a text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.

(c) For purposes of this section, a person shall not be deemed to be writing, reading, or sending a text–based communication if the person reads, selects, or enters a telephone number or name in an electronic wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call or if a person otherwise activates or deactivates a feature or function on an electronic wireless communications device.

(d) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a base fine of twenty dollars ($20) for a first offense and fifty dollars ($50) for each subsequent offense.

(e) This section does not apply to an emergency services professional using an electronic wireless communications device while operating an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165, in the course and scope of his or her duties.