26 November 2015

Phone GPS now legal (if safely secured)

| Charlotte
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Phone GPS

Canberra drivers and riders can use their phone’s GPS capability (if the device is safely secured) while on the road following an amendment to ACT legislation.

It had previously been illegal to use the GPS function of mobile phones while driving and riding in the ACT.

ACT Minister for Justice Shane Rattenbury said it would also now be possible to make or receive a call on a mobile phone while driving provided the phone was not being touched or held by the driver.

“The legislation previously allowed a driver to use a standalone GPS device, but not a mobile phone, for navigation purposes,” he said.

The new legislation will align the ACT’s road rules with other Australian jurisdictions, including NSW.

“Drivers and riders need to be aware that it remains illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving, or to use a mobile phone to text, receive or watch a video message, email or to use any other functions of the phone.

“This is dangerous behaviour that compromises your personal safety and the safety of other road users,” Mr Rattenbury said.

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Now if only there were police on the roads to catch people being distracted by phones and other devices, rather than just more speed cameras. The fact I see people on their phones at least every week, suggests most people know they’ll get away with it.

JC said :

dungfungus said :

JC said :

dungfungus said :

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Ignore the bit about the “white” Commodore – it’s a bit of RiotACT folklore.
Can anyone tell me if it is illegal to take hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion?
Where are you when I need you JC?

dungfungus said :

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Ignore the bit about the “white” Commodore – it’s a bit of RiotACT folklore.
Can anyone tell me if it is illegal to take hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion?
Where are you when I need you JC?

You need to be in full control of your vehicle. So subjective really.

Thanks JC.
So, it would appear that the device is useless. Maybe Minister Rattenbury could legalise them in the ACT.

Indeed. Even standalone GPS units you were not meant to be fiddling with them whilst driving. Experts even reckon you should not be touching the radio either as it is too distracting.

Though maybe the subtle difference with these new laws is with a secured GPS or phone in GPS mode you can touch it whilst stopped at lights for example, whereas even with a phone that is a no no.

Though very very messy because it will all come back to subjectivity and very hard to enforce.

Excellent points.

dungfungus said :

JC said :

dungfungus said :

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Ignore the bit about the “white” Commodore – it’s a bit of RiotACT folklore.
Can anyone tell me if it is illegal to take hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion?
Where are you when I need you JC?

dungfungus said :

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Ignore the bit about the “white” Commodore – it’s a bit of RiotACT folklore.
Can anyone tell me if it is illegal to take hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion?
Where are you when I need you JC?

You need to be in full control of your vehicle. So subjective really.

Thanks JC.
So, it would appear that the device is useless. Maybe Minister Rattenbury could legalise them in the ACT.

Indeed. Even standalone GPS units you were not meant to be fiddling with them whilst driving. Experts even reckon you should not be touching the radio either as it is too distracting.

Though maybe the subtle difference with these new laws is with a secured GPS or phone in GPS mode you can touch it whilst stopped at lights for example, whereas even with a phone that is a no no.

Though very very messy because it will all come back to subjectivity and very hard to enforce.

JC said :

dungfungus said :

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Ignore the bit about the “white” Commodore – it’s a bit of RiotACT folklore.
Can anyone tell me if it is illegal to take hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion?
Where are you when I need you JC?

dungfungus said :

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Ignore the bit about the “white” Commodore – it’s a bit of RiotACT folklore.
Can anyone tell me if it is illegal to take hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion?
Where are you when I need you JC?

You need to be in full control of your vehicle. So subjective really.

Thanks JC.
So, it would appear that the device is useless. Maybe Minister Rattenbury could legalise them in the ACT.

crackerpants3:06 pm 21 Nov 15

Holden Caulfield said :

shellcase said :

My VF Commo has self park, I don’t use it along with several other silly electronic doovers, I’m the boss, not the computer.

Try telling that to your ABS, ESP and SRS, let alone the EFI and ECU.

You forgot EBD.

dungfungus said :

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Ignore the bit about the “white” Commodore – it’s a bit of RiotACT folklore.
Can anyone tell me if it is illegal to take hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion?
Where are you when I need you JC?

dungfungus said :

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Ignore the bit about the “white” Commodore – it’s a bit of RiotACT folklore.
Can anyone tell me if it is illegal to take hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion?
Where are you when I need you JC?

You need to be in full control of your vehicle. So subjective really.

screaming banshee8:12 pm 20 Nov 15

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Seconded, and how many gears do they have to put in a auto before it is well geared and shifts smoothly coz I can tell you 6 ain’t the answer

shellcase said :

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Ignore the bit about the “white” Commodore – it’s a bit of RiotACT folklore.
Can anyone tell me if it is illegal to take hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion?
Where are you when I need you JC?

I have regularly used my mobile GPS here – didn’t know it was illegal :/ though I suppose I will now have to get some kind of accessory to secure it. Up till now I have just put the phone in the drink holder.

A VF is a Commo but this subject VF is not white. VF is without a doubt the best and smartest Holden ever built. The most annoying thing about it is that unlike many other makes the smarts can’t be deactivated.

Have to give Land Rover, (one of several makes) a Guernsey, plug in the laptop and one may nominate which PC-correct warning bell, chime, gong or whistle one wants deactivated and it’s done. Not so VF’s, buy a VF and you get GM’s “world electronic architecture” which can’t be shut up. Ever.

Dealer and GM completely unhelpful. Only thing I haven’t tried is a gallon of petrol and a match but I’m sure they would work.

Holden Caulfield said :

shellcase said :

My VF Commo has self park, I don’t use it along with several other silly electronic doovers, I’m the boss, not the computer.

Try telling that to your ABS, ESP and SRS, let alone the EFI and ECU.

Not to mention the POQ before I give you a K up the A 😀

Holden Caulfield2:03 pm 20 Nov 15

shellcase said :

My VF Commo has self park, I don’t use it along with several other silly electronic doovers, I’m the boss, not the computer.

Try telling that to your ABS, ESP and SRS, let alone the EFI and ECU.

shellcase said :

Hmmm. I guess that means instead of seeing drivers with heads down into their laps to text-twiddle we’ll now see them leaning across to the dash or some weird location about the screen. It’s entertaining to see where some fools mount their GPS devices. Saw a woman in Hibberson St with the GPS mounted on the screen directly in front of line of sight; her version of HUD I guess.

Given the debacle of the tram it’s only natural, I think, that Rattenbury will scrape the bottom of the barrel for anything to get as many voters on side. No doubt some drivers will feel more, umm, comforted by his decision.

My VF Commo has self park, I don’t use it along with several other silly electronic doovers, I’m the boss, not the computer.

That would be a white Commodore?

Hmmm. I guess that means instead of seeing drivers with heads down into their laps to text-twiddle we’ll now see them leaning across to the dash or some weird location about the screen. It’s entertaining to see where some fools mount their GPS devices. Saw a woman in Hibberson St with the GPS mounted on the screen directly in front of line of sight; her version of HUD I guess.

Given the debacle of the tram it’s only natural, I think, that Rattenbury will scrape the bottom of the barrel for anything to get as many voters on side. No doubt some drivers will feel more, umm, comforted by his decision.

My VF Commo has self park, I don’t use it along with several other silly electronic doovers, I’m the boss, not the computer.

That makes sense -good move Minister.
On a similar matter, I often see ads on TV about a new “parking assist” feature in some new cars where the computer in the car somehow can do a parallel parking manoeuvre independent of steering input from the driver. Video of this happening (driver with hands off the wheel) are shown.
I understood that various motor traffic acts state that the driver of a motor vehicle must have their hands on the steering wheel at all times so is there a contravention to that law with this app?

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