California court rules may change the game for Smartphone users

In recent rulings by a California court in Fresno, a Superior Court judge ruled that the law banning cellular phone use while operating a motor vehicle also applies to using mapping applications such as Google Maps while driving. This law applies to both California residents and visitors—it may be best to put that Smartphone and the cute iPhone 4s skin cover you got for it away before you get behind the wheel.

Section 21123 of the California Vehicle Code was initially instituted in regards to talking on the phone and texting while driving. In January 2012, a man challenged a section 21123 citation, claiming the law didn’t apply to his situation, as he was using his phone to obtain driving directions. However, section 21123 states “a person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving.”

Using the phone is using it, though the defendant argued that the section was specific to voice calls, and referred to the fact that a statute had to be added later to include texting. Therefore, he posted that the law should be revised again if the section was to include the use of GPS mapping applications.

Superior Court of California Judge W. Kent Hamlin ruled that the use of any application that requires hands-on interaction while driving is illegal under section 21123. However, the law is specific to hand usage, therefore, a driver can still use the apps by mounting the phone on the dashboard so it can be programmed beforehand and viewed. So plop your phone in a cool, adhesive iPhone 4s skin cover, mount it on the dash and you’re good to go! Note that if you need to change your destination or route, California vehicle code requires you to make a complete stop before changing the information you input into the Smartphone.