Those who are lost in California and are tempted to look at a map on their phone can now breathe easier knowing that it's not illegal to do so. According to a court in California, the state that has some of the strictest distracted driving laws in the U.S., using your device to look at maps does not count as apart of the law preventing drivers from talking on their phones without the use of a hands-free device. It appears that the law isn't written clear enough to count towards looking at maps.
The case that led to this ruling involved a man by the name of Steven Spriggs, who was ticketed for looking at a map on his iPhone 4 while stopped at a red light. He was spotted by a highway patrolman who quickly pulled Spriggs over and issued him a $165 citation. Spriggs who felt that this was unjust, fought the ticket all the way up to the 5th District Court of Appeals in Fresno.
While the “listening and talking” portion of the law doesn't dictate what to do with people looking at their phones, it will only be a matter of time before the law is amended to include holding one's smartphone altogether. While it's good that Sprigg was able to fight the law and win, this case shows just how new and fresh situations like these are. As the law attempts to catch up, use of maps and mobile devices, will continue to be restricted and laws will get stricter. That being said, if you use such things while driving, you should probably get your fill now.
source: TechnoBuffalo
I like to use my Nexus 5 to play music in my car with Google All Access plus I love Google navigation. I even have a awesome music visualizer I can use. New cars have 2 displays one in the center and one in the instrument column so are those distraction’s. I figure if I get pulled over I would immediately factory reset my phone just to be safe. I don’t think most law enforcement will try to or can get your text or call history from your carrier without a warrant which needs reasonable cause to acquire plus it is not worth the time effort and money unless there is a accident with injuries or fatalities. So in short to protect yourself if pulled quickly factory reset your phone and do not admit anything and I stress do not admit anything politely accept the ticket then go to court and make the officer prove his or her case beyond reasonable doubt bet you win. Remember too when pulled over you are likely being recorded by audio and video your stuck if the officer has video of what your phone was displaying prior to the traffic stop so get the darkest legal tint on at least the back window lol. They should make a phone app that can detect a car accident by impact and automatically wipe your phone beyond recovery. We all don’t realize that our phones are like little black boxes and can easily screw you over with the info on them. Make the cops at least earn those tickets and know and enjoy your rights but also know that others have rights too. Plus its not a great idea to talk or text while driving you might end up dead oand killing others. Use common sense so you can live to see the next development in mobile tech.