Summary:
Authorities fined Nathaniel Porter $158 in California for holding his cellphone while using a navigation app. Although he wasn’t texting or making calls, the officer cited him for violating California’s hands-free law. Porter initially won in a lower court, which ruled that passively viewing GPS directions did not constitute active phone use. However, a California appeals court later reversed the decision and upheld the fine.
The core issue centered around California’s 2016 hands-free law, which expanded the scope of prohibited cellphone use beyond texting and calling to include any functions requiring physical interaction. While a single swipe to activate voice commands is allowed, tapping or typing is not. Moreover, the law mandates that phones must be mounted—you can’t hold it in your hand—when using it for any function, including navigation. The appellate court emphasized that the intent of the legislation was to reduce distracted driving and ensure drivers keep their eyes on the road, concluding that even holding a phone to view directions violates the law.
This case highlights the importance of complying with hands-free laws, especially in states like California. Using a phone for navigation is only legal if you mount it properly and not touch it beyond initiating voice control. Drivers who fail to comply risk fines and legal consequences, even if their usage seems minimal or non-distracting.
The article also applauds automakers that offer integrated phone mounting solutions. Jeep’s Wrangler includes a dashboard rail for custom mounts. Several European automakers offer entry-level trims with secure phone mounts instead of large infotainment screens. These OEM-engineered mounts could offer a practical, safer alternative for drivers and may become increasingly necessary as more jurisdictions tighten distracted driving laws.
Motor Biscuit
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