GPS illegal

[Kingsnkali]

I hope they jack up the auto insurance rates for people with GPS units. Bad enough the rest of us have to avoid the idiots on cell phones drifting into our lanes now.

How the hell can you drive safely when not looking at the road????

These things should only be audible in a vehicle. Not visual.

[PecanPie]

Tough to do considering they are hand-held. Mine is in the drawer right now so it'd be hard to know I even own one. For the ones built-in to a car, I can see some sense in the visual portion not displaying when you're moving. I agree, I do not get how you can drive and look at it at the same time. I guess maybe if it's mounted in line of sight with the road, but for me that's still too confusing.

I resisted GPS for that reason, but boy do I love mine, and as I said, I pretty much only listen to it when I'm driving. I definitely never follow the map, I don't really need that when something is telling me, "turn in 100 ft" that's enough for me, I don't need the visual.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by PecanPie

Tough to do considering they are hand-held. Mine is in the drawer right now so it'd be hard to know I even own one. For the ones built-in to a car, I can see some sense in the visual portion not displaying when you're moving. I agree, I do not get how you can drive and look at it at the same time. I guess maybe if it's mounted in line of sight with the road, but for me that's still too confusing.

I resisted GPS for that reason, but boy do I love mine, and as I said, I pretty much only listen to it when I'm driving. I definitely never follow the map, I don't really need that when something is telling me, "turn in 100 ft" that's enough for me, I don't need the visual.

I've been using GPS in the car for 8 years now. Being able to see the screen while driving is very useful but varies with the GPS model. Once you get used to the display layout, you train yourself to take very quick glances at it. A well designed display can convey useful information in a glance. A poorly designed unit can distract the user and be a hazard. The voice prompts are good but sometimes a mouthful of a command can better be conveyed with a quick glance at the screen.

[PecanPie]

Escape, I can see that definitely, like many things, you get used to it/takes practice. I think it's up to the individual, I just hope the ones who are lame like me decide not to look. Just like the cell phone, I think some people can have a conversation and pay better attention to traffic than others, just depends on the person.

Cell phones, GPS, satellite radio all do combine to create a lot of distractions though -- but who knows how long we'll be driving anyway if we don't find another fuel source.

[MaikeerinWA]

You certainly don't want to be entering destinations or fiddling with controls on your unit while driving, but like someone else said, you learn to just take quick glances at it. Sitting on the dashboard, above the radio, I don't think it's any more distracting than the speedometer or fuel gauge.

Originally Posted by Kingsnkali

How the hell can you drive safely when not looking at the road????

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by MichaelinWA

You certainly don't want to be entering destinations or fiddling with controls on your unit while driving, but like someone else said, you learn to just take quick glances at it. Sitting on the dashboard, above the radio, I don't think it's any more distracting than the speedometer or fuel gauge.

And certainly less distracting than fumbling with a Thomas Guide or directions printed off the Internet.

[revelated]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

And certainly less distracting than fumbling with a Thomas Guide or directions printed off the Internet.

Thomas Guide - yes.

Google Maps - no.

If you've got a good brain, you can look at a set of instructions and get a general sense for your destination. If there's a lot of turns in city streets near the end, you can glance at it to look at the street name. Looking at a map to me is a lot more distracting than looking at directions - if you read in a nanosecond like most 20-30 something year olds can.

[country pride]

Originally Posted by skitow

Hi all. I have been checking out the different brands of GPS devices for my car, and guess what. They are illegal in CA and one other state. Don't you think this state has enough stupid, useless laws? If they want to crack down on devices that distrack drivers, why not nail all the people who use cell phones while driving. Cuss words!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, well, then why do they sell them here? It is a dumb law, I agree. Just like I gear glass-packs, radar detectors and license plate covers...why the heck are they allowed to sell them here if they're illegal? Am I missing something? And what about the new cars that automatically come with GPS built in, or 'onstar'? How do they explain that? (We're not parting withours just 'because')...and Id like to see the person who made that law...his car...if he has one, hmm. <curious>

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by revelated

Thomas Guide - yes.

Google Maps - no.

If you've got a good brain, you can look at a set of instructions and get a general sense for your destination. If there's a lot of turns in city streets near the end, you can glance at it to look at the street name. Looking at a map to me is a lot more distracting than looking at directions - if you read in a nanosecond like most 20-30 something year olds can.

And when you miss a turn somewhere or there's an unexpected road closure, your pre-written instructions are useless since it won't tell you where you are or how to get back where you're going.

[Happy Cells]

Well, yes that is a rather silly law, but California is known for that.
I just put mine on the top of the dash, and have yet to be stopped for it anyplace I've been.
If you live anywhere on the eastern seaboard you NEED GPS!
I lived in New Jersey and GPS was absolutely essential to getting around, everyone was using GPS!