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California Bans Front-Seat Computer Use
An anonymous reader submits "As of January 1, 2004 the State of California has banned the use of notebook computers used anywhere in the front seat (PDF) of a moving vehicle. Previously, the ban applied just to TV sets. Even if your car-pooling front seat passenger is just doing some programming, you can be charged with a crime (AB 301). Thanks go to CA Assemblymember Sarah Reyes for this well meaning but overly broad piece of legislation." The text is mercifully short, but still contains some tricky language; probably the meaning of "installed" at the very least needs to be clarified. Would a laptop affixed to a installed bracket count? Considering the complexity of modern automotive navigation/control systems (now sneaking into budget vehicles, too), it seems like a very fine distinction. The law would seem to ban handheld computers being used as navigation aids, too, or GPS devices with games, and very soon, nearly all cell phones.
From the article:
...does not apply to a mobile, digital terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.
RTFA before posting.
"I either want less corruption, or more chance
to participate in it." -- Ashleigh Brilliant
And it also applies to other car passengers.
Sorry about your accident, but what harm would it be for a passenger to be some work on thier laptop while you are driving? I don't think keyboard clicking is too distracting.
Hmmm.... Didn't see anything about this that allows say Police to continue use of computers in their front seat? I know some of the cruisers do have a computer in the front seat so they can look up a drivers driving record.
HGTTG: "I knew that there was something fundementally wrong with the Universe."
I know an over-the-road team who have a company issued laptop connected to the dash on the passenger side. It has GPS, their Logs, and sat-com messages to/from the dispatcher.
I guess the company will now have to stop delivering to California, or drop the trailers at the border crossings/fruit inspection points.