Travel Technology - no laptop use in California for anyone in the front seat

New law (http://www.itsa.org/resources.nsf/Files/AB%20301-chaptered/$file/AB%20301-chaptered.pdf)

It would seem to ban all laptop use even by passengers. Even handhelds and GPS could now be illegal.

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/mad.gif

Weird. How did this little beauty sneak by the public?

I understand the goal is to prevent drivers from getting distracted by viewing the ever-popular DVD players now showing up in many luxury vehicles, but to legislate it in such a stealthy manner is a bit troubling.

Doesn't apply to GPS.

QL

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QuietLion:
Doesn't apply to GPS.

QL</font>


GPS that has been "installed" is allowed.

Now why did I read "front seat" as "first row"? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Man watches car TV, causes fatal crash (http://www12.mainichi.co.jp/news/mdn/search-news/897855/car20TV-0-2.html)

(edited to correct URL)

[This message has been edited by businesstraveler (edited Feb 21, 2004).]

I don't have GPS built into my car, but I have GPS plugged into my laptop and use mapping software with it to give me verbal and visual directions sometimes. Guess this means I can't place the thing on the passenger seat next to me any longer. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
I don't have GPS built into my car, but I have GPS plugged into my laptop and use mapping software with it to give me verbal and visual directions sometimes. Guess this means I can't place the thing on the passenger seat next to me any longer. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif</font>

you! you're the reason they made this law! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif

I will breath easier now when (not frequently anymore) on the streets of California.

Install a "bracket" like the cops have. Then it would be "installed."

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Don't feed the trolls.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
I don't have GPS built into my car, but I have GPS plugged into my laptop and use mapping software with it to give me verbal and visual directions sometimes. Guess this means I can't place the thing on the passenger seat next to me any longer. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif</font>

Edited because I'm going to assume that this was satire.

[This message has been edited by csb (edited Jan 05, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by csb:
Edited because I'm going to assume that this was satire.

[This message has been edited by csb (edited Jan 05, 2004).]</font>


http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif no it's not

This is very frustrating http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/mad.gif

My husband is a pilot and loves playing with a GPS. I was searching thru here for advice on a GPS for the laptop and found this link http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/mad.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/mad.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/mad.gif

I was thinking one of those gadgets would be the perfect birthday gift! He likes to sit in the passenger seat and 'play' with the GPS when it's my turn to drive.

Do I understand this correctly?

GPS units "installed" in the dash are ok, but if someone has a unit temporarilly "hanging" from the dash in roughly the same place as an installed unit would be (so they can easily move it from car to car), that's against the law?

That makes sense.

What if I use those clips that lock it into the air conditioner vent?
http://www.theclip.com/mall/mounts.asp
Is that considered "installed"?

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Michael Steinberg
Editor
BizTrip
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Here's a news story (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=1&u=/nm/20040220/od_nm/odd_porn_dc)about a guy arrested in NY for watching TV while driving.

------------------
Michael Steinberg
Editor
BizTrip
www.biztrip.com (http://www.biztrip.com)
A site for travelers by a traveler with 20+ years experience
Please visit my site and let me know what you think.

hehe, this should be in omni. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
I don't have GPS built into my car, but I have GPS plugged into my laptop and use mapping software with it to give me verbal and visual directions sometimes. </font>

I do the same thing, usually getting my wife or kids to hold the computer. With a major roadtrip in California this summer, I guess we're not going to be that little red dot moving down I-5 on the map. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif