Distracted Driving - circumstantial question

[Scrambler]

Anyone happen to know, if you are using your cellphone (google maps) for nav and have it stuck to your air ventilation or centre console, would that constitute as distracted driving?

[Rhettzky]

Using a hand held cell phone is illegal, but you can use a GPS.

Can I use my GPS while driving?

Yes, as long as you have programmed it before driving or operating the vehicle or it is being used in a voice activated manner. It must also be securely affixed to the vehicle in a manner that does not interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle and not held in the individual’s hand.

https://www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Tra...d-driving.aspx

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Using a hand held cell phone is illegal, but you can use a GPS.



https://www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Tra...d-driving.aspx

Interesting, I'm wanting to put my Samsung ontop of the GPS my car has already (but sucks). My included Nav avoids any routes that would make sense to take Deerfoot (wtf?) and is overall not as efficient as google maps is.

[CaptainCrunch]

Yeah, what your talking about is really no different then an in console screen. Its the people that have a cellphone in hand staring at it or not using handsfree that's going to get you ticketed.


or fiddling with your phone, console and driving erratically.

[Scrambler]

This is what I had in mind:

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

This is what I had in mind:

I've been using something similar for a few years and haven't been busted for distracted driving.
I try to avoid interacting with it while moving; I can't see it being a problem as long as you're not fiddling with it excessively.

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Yeah, what your talking about is really no different then an in console screen. Its the people that have a cellphone in hand staring at it or not using handsfree that's going to get you ticketed.


or fiddling with your phone, console and driving erratically.

As long as you're not holding your phone against your ear, it's hands-free right? I mean, as long as you hold it out in front of you instead of at your ear, you're good.

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

I've been using something similar for a few years and haven't been busted for distracted driving.
I try to avoid interacting with it while moving; I can't see it being a problem as long as you're not fiddling with it excessively.

I agree with the principle, both hands on the wheel, staying focused, etc, but ability to see and hear Google Maps when necessary. Thanks!

[SportsJunky]

I think it's the safest answer. I always keep one of those vent mounts in my carry on bag. I attach to the rental car vent and away I go. Google maps are great. I've had too many problems with rental car nav systems in strange cities.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

Anyone happen to know, if you are using your cellphone (google maps) for nav and have it stuck to your air ventilation or centre console, would that constitute as distracted driving?

I know its not the point of your post, but I found the best spot to stick the phone is in the little space in front of the gauges, as most cars have a little ledge that you can lean the phone on. It's much closer to your regular line of sight, which makes it easier and safer to use, and almost makes it feel like you have a nav screen in your gauge cluster.

[Bigtime]

What's with all this Google Maps usage for navigating in a car, Waze is where it's at.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

What's with all this Google Maps usage for navigating in a car, Waze is where it's at.

I'd have to use it again to remember why, but I used Waze for about 4 months and found it kind of annoying. I know that the time savings was pretty negligible compared to other nav apps, and there aren't enough features for it to be your go-to map app (you basically need Waze for your car, and then Google or Apple maps for everything else).

Either way, having used all three over the past 2 years, there are a few things that might make an individual choose one over the other, but I find the differences between them to be wildly overstated to the point that there's no point in switching from whatever you're using now, if you like it.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

As long as you're not holding your phone against your ear, it's hands-free right? I mean, as long as you hold it out in front of you instead of at your ear, you're good.

LOL


I do all my stuff through Android Auto and use Waze and Spotify. Up until recently Spotify locked itself when the car was moving, so you couldn't change your libraries etc. But they removed that lock recently.


I'm still trying to figure out some of the voice commands though.

[Ducay]

Google bought Waze a while back and I believe now Google maps has most/all of Waze features now included (ie public reporting and speed/red light cameras, etc).

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Google bought Waze a while back and I believe now Google maps has most/all of Waze features now included (ie public reporting and speed/red light cameras, etc).

Google maps saved me from a speed trap on stoney the other day, which was a nice surprise

[MBates]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Using a hand held cell phone is illegal, but you can use a GPS.



https://www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Tra...d-driving.aspx

Holding it in your hand is what makes using the cell phone illegal. Using your cell phone while mounted to the car and either voice activated or one-touch operation is permitted:

https://www.alberta.ca/distracted-driving.aspx

Activities that are not specifically restricted under the law are:

using a cell phone in hands-free mode – the device is not held in the driver’s hand and is activated by voice or a single touch to the device

As with many things that at first seem simple, the government specifically passed a regulation to define 'one touch' for the purposes of the legislation (so if you were thinking that each text you send is just a series of one touches you are wrong):

https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/re...-113-2011.html

One touch

2 For the purposes of the Act and this Regulation, “one touch” means pressing only one button one time on a cellular telephone or radio communication device or an attachment to the cellular telephone or radio communication device in order to initiate, accept or end a single telephone call, or to receive or transmit electronic data, electronic mail, a text message or a voice communication without holding the cellular telephone or radio communication device or an attachment to the cellular telephone or radio communication device in the individual’s hand.

[MBates]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

I've been using something similar for a few years and haven't been busted for distracted driving.
I try to avoid interacting with it while moving; I can't see it being a problem as long as you're not fiddling with it excessively.

There is a difference between what is 'a problem' per the legislation and what might not get you pulled over.

The law specifically requires a GPS to be programmed before driving or that it be used in hands free mode.

Anything beyond 'one touch' while moving is prohibited and if you are seen or reported would allow you to be charged with the offence.