California changes GPS law

California is one of only two states where drivers have been prohibited from mounting  a portable GPS navigation unit on their vehicle’s windshield, due to concerns about  obstructing to the driver’s view. But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has moved to make windshield mounting legal, with the caveat that the unit must be placed on either the lower left or lower right corner of the windshield.

The new law goes into effect January 1, 2009. This will leave Minnesota as the only state prohibiting mounting a GPS unit on a windshield. Legislation banning drivers from text messaging has also been approved.

In other West Coast legislative news, California motorists who like to cuddle with their pets can breathe a sigh of relief: Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have made it illegal to have a pet sitting in your lap while behind the wheel. (Learn the safe way to travel with pets.)

—Desiree Calamari

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

Comments

[anunturi auto]

this type of problems only in america you can find

[Jay in St Pete]

My Garmin is mounted on a weighted "beanbag" base that I place on the dashboard. It is only slightly less view-obstructing than if mounted low on the windshield, and is easier to see because it is closer to the steering wheel.

[C Farsbys]

Its ironic that Minnesota refuses to ban hands on car cell phone usage which is a dangerous act and causes major accidents but bans mounting GPS in the front window.

[Betty]

I would like to know how to remove one-time destinations from my Garmin. I use my Garmin all the time but for one-time destinations, I want to take them off. Can you advise me how to do this.
Thanks.

[Ron]

You can drive with a PET on your LAP?!?! How ridiculous is that? Pets should be at LEAST in the back seat and in a crate would be even better. Imagine someone in your family getting hit or killed because some jerk's dog got down between his owners feet and aside from being a tremendous distraction, interfered with the brakes/gas. Pets have NO place in the drivers LAP!!!

[Mobiva]

Why does Sacramento put more street lights up and save the insurance companies thousands of dollars. Having a gps mounted on your dashboard is nothing.. We got a hit by a animal.Bacause there was no street lights. A gps mounted on a dashboard that does not cost the insurance companies money...

[Eric]

This is just another sign of how to earn money for the state. As if "we" are not taxed enough. Next they will tell us that we cannot eat while driving. I will not move my GPS & maybe I'll get a ticket, but I'm willing to take the chance as I believe that if we don't stand up against such lame laws, then they "will" have full control.

[Scott Collins]

That is a stupid place to require a GPS to be mounted. I have mine mounted next to the rear view mirror, which is less of an obstruction than my sun visors.

[emorehs]

why US comes with those laws now? if I put my gps on the lower middle of my windshield it doesn't do anything on my airbag. So whats wrong with it? If we put it on the side I "think" that's more distractive for the driver.

[JAVIER]

CAN THIS JUST BE POLITICS FOR CAR MAKERS, TO HAVE EVERYONE BUY CARS WITH A GPS INSTALLED $2,000 EXTRA ? SOUNDS LIKE POLITICS TO ME

[Jin]

You know if there's some room on your console, you can also mount your gps there. That's where I'm thinking of mounting mine. I think it's easier for me to look at it that way. Almost like having it intalled there.

[Dinuka Gunasekara]

This is ridiculous, Banning the mounting of a GPS in the middle of the windshield sound very unpractical. Mounting on the passenger side make it difficult for the driver to use it, and mounting on the driver side 1. make it difficult for the passenger to guide the driver 2. make it difficult for the driver to look at the left corner throught windshield. 3. requires the driver to look away at least for a second (A SECOND is more than enough to cause considerable damage) I don't c any positive side of this law. Mounting the GPS on the middle close to the dashboard is much much less obstructive.
Banning texting while driving is totally fine. Because that takes away a most of the consciousness of the driver.
What is more ridiculous is allowing people to have pets on their lap. It should be fair. Having pets on the lap is DEFINITELY unacceptable.
This should have been the first thing to be banned. I myself is a pet lover but I would never ever take a pet on my lap, I am risking not only my but another human life just because of a pet.

Clearly the ban on placing the GPS on the center of the windshield, which is not a obstruction at all, when there are SO MANY things that drivers do, that seem much more dangerous or obstructive.