New Jersey bill aims to ban driver's use of GPS while driving
Satellite navigation systems - click above for high-res image gallery
It is already illegal to manually use a cell phone for texting or calling while driving in New Jersey. A state legislator has aimed at the next in-car distraction: GPS devices. Democratic Assemblyman Harvey Smith wants a ban on manually programming GPS devices while driving. You would need to pull over to input your destination, or have a voice-operated unit. Punishment otherwise would be a $100 fine.
Probably every single one of us has had to drive defensively around someone who was obviously not paying attention to their driving. At this point, the question in New Jersey is how many activities are they going to ban? And what makes a GPS unit worse than an MP3 player or those folks who drive with their knees while they eat?
Another Assemblyman, John Wisniewski, had proposed a blanket ban on distracted driving in 2006 but that was passed over in favor of the cell phone-specific ban. New Jersey also already has a law against careless driving, which carries a $100 fine and two points on your license. Smith's proposed law would give New Jersey officers -- Smith is an undersheriff -- a specific behavior to target, but it all seems a bit scattershot in light of the copious distracting activities drivers engage in. Hat tip to Rich!
Gallery: Satellite navigation systems
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[Source: Daily Record | Gallery Images: Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Alex Nunez 11:30AM (6/21/2009)
At the rate they're going, the nannyticians will eventually get around to banning manual gearboxes. 'Cause, you know: Too distracting.
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P.V. 12:11PM (6/21/2009)
I was about to say the exact same thing. Kudos.
This could be the craziest ____ing thing I've ever heard, as not everyone who wants a GPS can afford a voice-operated one.
Rob 12:45PM (6/21/2009)
What's so dumb is there is already a law for this, and there was already a law for texting, and talking. It just isn't enforced, just like how officers ignore people who refuse to use turn signals.
It's called "Inattentive driving", and you can get a ticket for it..... but I've never heard of an officer writing someone a citation for it.
zamafir 1:33PM (6/21/2009)
ban manual gear boxes? have you been behind the average motorist when they're attempting to enter a route into their garmin/tom tom? I'm not a huge fan of regulation, but I've never seen someone veer off road changing gears, I have seen them do it attempting to enter a new address.
common sense and US drivers rarely meet, thus all the BS regs we get.
Lucas 1:48PM (6/21/2009)
@zamafir Exactly!! Babies need nannies, and we drive spoiled. You get the gub'ment you deserve.
jv2k 3:41PM (6/21/2009)
If zamafir didn't say it I was about to.
GPS units can be distracting as hell and to make matters worse the placement of the damn things make it more encouraging for people to start playing with it. Jersey is one of the most high traffic states in the country and people cut people off like crazy.
The last thing you want to do is zone out for a few seconds while you pay attention to your gps.
sparrk 5:20AM (6/22/2009)
it's funny how Americans tend to exaggerate everything, such drama queens. typing in a GPS device may be ok while driving in a straight line at constant speed, but what when something unexpected happens ? one second can be enough to get you and your family killed by some moron who can't spell things right.
Concerned Citizen 1:25PM (6/22/2009)
Because unfolding a map and looking at while you drive is MUCH less distracting.
This is about what ALL new laws are about; 1) another excuse to pull people over at will for omitting no real crime (but to give the cops a chance to look/find/create a reason to arrest you) or 2) just to generate additional income. Welcome to the police state
bsktblljiant13 8:45PM (6/22/2009)
all the people with the comments about how stupid alex is cuz of the gear box things, GET A SENSE OF HUMOR! obviously he was being sarcastic
Lita 4:18AM (6/23/2009)
Some idiot is comparing programming a GPS to using a manual gearbox. Nice try. One is actual driving, the other is not. If you can't tell the difference, then you are likely one who must look down at his feet whenever he uses his brakes. The nanniticians, as they people put it, crop up when idiots text message and drive their cars and commuter trains into others, killing them. Or run red lights just because thy can. Or a host of other things that not only effects the wrongdoer, but has the potential to kill any of the rest of us. However, I would like to see HUGE fines for these violations with no changes to the law. And after the third offense, seizure of the vehicle and forfeiture of the license with incarceration for any additional violation. The roads would be much safer....
sharon.klotz 11:43AM (6/23/2009)
Yeah Alex they prob will- I use to live in NJ and boy they are the first tofine you for everything-
Hate it
Andy 12:12PM (6/21/2009)
Just another reason to hate New Jersey.
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cataplana134 2:12PM (6/21/2009)
Yes Paul, The legislator's innate ability to turn any perceived or imagined human or mechanical quirk into a potential taxed and fined cash cow is still legal.. And year after year we vote these morally corrupt men into office. New Jersey has no one to blame than themselves.
knightuc1992 7:23AM (6/22/2009)
I agree!!!!
I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I left that Nanny/Police state 12 years ago!!
Those bastards will probably outlaw thoughts and emotions next.
Reminds me of a poem that was written on a bathroom wall in middle school (which was
called junior high school back in the day):
"You will obey me while I lead you,
And eat the garbage that I feed you,
Until the day that we don't need you,
Don't cry for help - no one will heed you!
Your mind is totally controlled,
It has been stuffed into my mold,
And you will do as you are told,
Until the rights to you are sold..."
I'm seeing this slowly coming into fruition...:(
Monkey Cheebah 1:03AM (6/23/2009)
Agreed, Jersey has major issues.
Richard 2:16PM (6/23/2009)
Am I sure glad I don't live anywhere close to NJ (or California for that matter) and I don't live close enough to accidently wander into NJ or any other state on the Northeast coast.
paul34 12:14PM (6/21/2009)
Is anything even legal in New Jersey?
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Tkf 11:23AM (6/23/2009)
Smoking is legal there.
Tim 5:48PM (6/21/2009)
seriously.
what they should focus on is a ban on wearing beaters, lame tattoos and pierced ears on guys on the jersey shore....
Simzee 4:49AM (6/23/2009)
No nothing is legal in N.J. because of STUPID people. Don't believe me? Remember this........A MACHINE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PERSON PUTTING IN THE INFO.