Re: New Jersey Could Ban Manual GPS Devices in Cars
Bert Hyman
<swor...@mchsi.com> wrote:
> Democratic State Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith has introduced a bill
> that would “prohibit the manual operation of a global positioning
> system (GPS) device or similar navigation device by the operator of a
> moving motor vehicle.” If passed, the ban would be the first of its
> kind in the nation.
Well, why not?
Everything else is illegal in New Jersey, so why not this?
Some people like to say that Minnesota is "The State Where Absolutely
Nothing Is Allowed", but they've never lived in New Jersey.
--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN be...@iphouse.com
Sam Wormley
Jun 22, 2009
GPS World
http://cp.gpsworld.com/gpscp/content/printContentPopup.jsp?id=605477
A New Jersey legislator is hoping to ban in-car navigation systems that rely on manual
input, reports Fox News.
New Jersey has already taken cell phones and text messaging out of drivers' hands.
Violators of the law would face the same $100 fine per offense that applies to improper
cell phone use.
Democratic State Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith has introduced a bill that would “prohibit
the manual operation of a global positioning system (GPS) device or similar navigation
device by the operator of a moving motor vehicle.” If passed, the ban would be the first
of its kind in the nation.
Under the proposed law, drivers would be allowed to only use voice-activated systems to
program the devices while a vehicle is in motion. Although this feature is becoming more
common, devices that offer it typically cost significantly more than ones that don’t. For
example, Garmin’s least expensive manual-input device retails for about $199, while a
voice-activated unit, the Nüvi 855, has as a suggested retail price $499.
Robert Peirce
Bert Hyman <be...@iphouse.com> wrote:
> Some people like to say that Minnesota is "The State Where Absolutely
> Nothing Is Allowed", but they've never lived in New Jersey.
Is it still considered too dangerous for an adult to pump his own fuel?
--
Robert B. Peirce, Venetia, PA 724-941-6883
bob AT peirce-family.com [Mac]
rbp AT cooksonpeirce.com [Office]
(PeteCresswell)
>Everything else is illegal in New Jersey, so why not this?
>
>Some people like to say that Minnesota is "The State Where Absolutely
>Nothing Is Allowed", but they've never lived in New Jersey.
Once I stuck up a conversation on a New Jersey beach with a
tourist from Germany.
Referring to all the "This not allowed, that not allowed, don't
do this, don't do that..." signs posted on and around the beach,
her reaction was "What is this? Some kind of police state?"
And that's somebody from *Germany* where you'd think anything not
specifically allowed is forbidden.
--
PeteCresswell
Don B
then I guess they'll have to suffer the consequences.
Craig Wallace
> New Jersey Could Ban Manual GPS Devices in Cars
> Jun 22, 2009
> GPS World
> http://cp.gpsworld.com/gpscp/content/printContentPopup.jsp?id=605477
>
> A New Jersey legislator is hoping to ban in-car navigation systems that rely on manual
> input, reports Fox News.
A rather blatantly miseleading headline. They are not proposing the ban
of "manual" GPS devices, only operating them while the vehicle is
moving. So if you want to program in a new route, then you pull over and
stop. Just as you would if you wanted to make a phone call etc.
Though is there any definition of "moving"? Would it be legal to operate
it while stopped at lights, or stuck in a traffic jam etc?
--
Craig Wallace
http://craig.neogeo.org.uk
http://www.neogeo.org.uk
Alan Browne
> New Jersey Could Ban Manual GPS Devices in Cars
> Jun 22, 2009
> GPS World
> http://cp.gpsworld.com/gpscp/content/printContentPopup.jsp?id=605477
>
> A New Jersey legislator is hoping to ban in-car navigation systems that
> rely on manual input, reports Fox News.
>
> New Jersey has already taken cell phones and text messaging out of
> drivers' hands. Violators of the law would face the same $100 fine per
> offense that applies to improper cell phone use.
>
> Democratic State Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith has introduced a bill that
> would “prohibit the manual operation of a global positioning system
> (GPS) device or similar navigation device by the operator of a moving
> motor vehicle.”
A great idea. Operating a GPS while driving is 10x more distracting
than using a cell phone. Not only is your mind off driving but your
eyes are inside the car, focused (literally) on the device, and not
outside where they should be.
Even hands free operation of a cell phone is only marginally less
dangerous than a handheld device. A person focused on a discussion via
phone is not a full time driver.
Sam Wormley
Next they will ban radio and music players...
And then eventually passengers! :-o
Walt
news:QcOdnW5TpegYwdrX...@brightview.co.uk:
Certainly the UK police regard operating a non-hands free mobile phone
whilst stopped at lights or in a traffic jam as "operating whilst
moving" unless the car is totally stationary, the engine switched off and
the key removed from the ignition.
These requirements do not appear to be "law" but seem to be an accepted
position taken by police.
If stopping for a phone call or changing my sat nav, I always switch off
and remove keys - just in case !
Walt
PeterD
wrote:
Ban passengers? No way, the only logical thing to do is ban drivers!
Total safety then, no highway deaths, no accidents, no issues with
distractions.
PeterD
Now, on this side of the pond, switching off and removing the keys
while in the travel lane would be a violation! (blocking the
right-of-way rules)
PeterD
wrote:
>Alan Browne <alan....@Freelunchvideotron.ca> wrote:
>
>>A great idea. Operating a GPS while driving is 10x more distracting
>>than using a cell phone. Not only is your mind off driving but your
>>eyes are inside the car, focused (literally) on the device, and not
>>outside where they should be.
>>
>>Even hands free operation of a cell phone is only marginally less
>>dangerous than a handheld device. A person focused on a discussion via
>>phone is not a full time driver.
>
>If that's true, then passengers (especially kids and pets) should be
>banned as well. And the radio. And cup holders (Taking one hand off
>the wheel to drink coffee? Sinner!)
Also ban opening windows as the driver may want to hang his arm out,
and that might allow him to remove his hand from the wheel. Oh, and
also ban arm rests, again to force the driver to keep hands on the
wheel.
And the heater/AC should be fully automated with NO user/driver
controls so there is no tendency to try to fiddle with it while
driving.
Oh, heck, turn signals should be on all the time so the driver is not
distracted prior to turning. Oh, wait, I see some cars this has
already been implemented!
Mike Coon
> Oh, heck, turn signals should be on all the time so the driver is not
> distracted prior to turning. Oh, wait, I see some cars this has
> already been implemented!
Which reminds me that when I first visited Italy I realised that they had
their own version of the Scandinavian permanently-on headlights. Their light
is better, so they have the horn on all the time instead!
Mike.
--
If reply address is invalid, remove spurious "@" and substitute "plus"
where needed.
(PeteCresswell)
>Ban passengers? No way, the only logical thing to do is ban drivers!
>Total safety then, no highway deaths, no accidents, no issues with
>distractions.
Reminds me of an incident back in the mainframe days.
One of the system programmers kind of lost it and kept getting
irate bco all the people logged on - and dragging down the
resource availability numbers.
--
PeteCresswell
Robert Peirce
Steve Hall <sha...@canada.com> wrote:
> Alan Browne <alan....@Freelunchvideotron.ca> wrote:
>
> >A great idea. Operating a GPS while driving is 10x more distracting
> >than using a cell phone. Not only is your mind off driving but your
> >eyes are inside the car, focused (literally) on the device, and not
> >outside where they should be.
> >
> >Even hands free operation of a cell phone is only marginally less
> >dangerous than a handheld device. A person focused on a discussion via
> >phone is not a full time driver.
>
> If that's true, then passengers (especially kids and pets) should be
> banned as well. And the radio. And cup holders (Taking one hand off
> the wheel to drink coffee? Sinner!)
Passengers are okay, but they should never talk to the driver or
distract the driver.
The radio depends on what is playing and how much attention it requires.
Two hands on the wheel depends on traffic, speed, etc.
artleknock
wrote:
>Democratic State Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith has introduced a bill that would �prohibit
>the manual operation of a global positioning system (GPS) device or similar navigation
>device by the operator of a moving motor vehicle.� If passed, the ban would be the first
>of its kind in the nation.
I assume that Merkin laws are the same as the mother country.
All driving distractions are already covered by current law, "Driving
with undue care and attention", or "Dangerous driving". For 'F' sake,
we have even had a woman prosecuted for eating an apple while driving,
under that law.
All other laws re: Sat navs, radios, mobile phones, etc; are only to
keep the bureaucrats happy and to keep the legislators busy and
looking as if they are doing something about road safety.
frijoli
>
> I assume that Merkin laws are the same as the mother country.
> All driving distractions are already covered by current law, "Driving
> with undue care and attention", or "Dangerous driving". For 'F' sake,
> we have even had a woman prosecuted for eating an apple while driving,
> under that law.
> All other laws re: Sat navs, radios, mobile phones, etc; are only to
> keep the bureaucrats happy and to keep the legislators busy and
> looking as if they are doing something about road safety.
Nail on the head!
Yo$$1960
> All other laws re: Sat navs, radios, mobile phones, etc; are only to
> keep the bureaucrats happy and to keep the legislators busy and
> looking as if they are doing something about road safety.
Actually, the laws passed ref mobile 'phone use were passed, in part, to
avoid having to take offenders to court to prosecute them. That's a
costly business, obviously. Instituting a fixed penalty makes sense on a
cost/benefit basis.
IOW, it was an accounting decision, and, as you said, has the benefit of
appearing to to show concern for road safety.
--
Regards _
/ ) "The blindingly obvious is
/ _)rad never immediately apparent"
When I say ugly, I don't mean rough looking, I mean hideous
Ugly - The Stranglers
pinco pallo
> Next they will ban radio and music players...
Smoking is allowed in US?
In italy you cannot phone, but you can smoke!
Mike Russell
> In italy you cannot phone, but you can smoke!
A market niche for a cellphone that looks like a cigarette.
--
Mike Russell - http://www.curvemeister.com
Gene E. Bloch
> On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 03:20:38 -0700 (PDT), pinco pallo wrote:
>
>> In italy you cannot phone, but you can smoke!
>
> A market niche for a cellphone that looks like a cigarette.
You have to be careful you don't light it :-)
--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom
Mike Coon
> On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 13:43:29 -0700, Mike Russell wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 03:20:38 -0700 (PDT), pinco pallo wrote:
>>
>>> In italy you cannot phone, but you can smoke!
>>
>> A market niche for a cellphone that looks like a cigarette.
>
> You have to be careful you don't light it :-)
There is a product called an electronic cigarette that vaporises the
nicotine using an electric current. Supposed to be immune to bans on
"smoking"...
Mike Russell
> Gene E. Bloch wrote:
>> On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 13:43:29 -0700, Mike Russell wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 03:20:38 -0700 (PDT), pinco pallo wrote:
>>>
>>>> In italy you cannot phone, but you can smoke!
>>>
>>> A market niche for a cellphone that looks like a cigarette.
>>
>> You have to be careful you don't light it :-)
>
> There is a product called an electronic cigarette that vaporises the
> nicotine using an electric current. Supposed to be immune to bans on
> "smoking"...
That's synergy for you. A GPS enabled cigarette, call it the iSmoke -
could use location information to determine whether. Then you could light
your GPS, and follow it too.
iSmoke - you heard it here first.
Gene E. Bloch
LOL!
I'm not sure which is funnier, Mike's electronic cigarette or Mike's iSmoke
(for various values of Mike, of course).
Evelyn Leeper
And one assumes a passenger could operate it while the car is in motion.
(A friend has a car with a built-in GPS that won't accept programming
while the car is in motion, meaning that even a passenger cannot program
it then!)
--
Evelyn C. Leeper
Patience is something you admire greatly in the driver
behind you but not in the one ahead of you.