It has been illegal to use a hand-held phone while driving on the public highway in the UK since December 2003, with the current fine standing at £200 and six penalty points. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to keep you connected while ensuring your eyes remain on the road and your hands stay on the wheel. These include systems like Apple CarPay and Android Auto, where a smartphone is connected to the car and a simplified interface is shown on the vehicle’s touchscreen display. It is also worth making sure any cables attached to your phone are positioned so that they don’t interfere with operating the car.
Ultimately, some rules are open to interpretation, with it being the responsibility of individual police officers and the courts to determine what is legal and what isn’t. Government advice sums up the issue, stating: “The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted.”
Is it legal to have a phone mount in your car?
It has been illegal to use a hand-held phone while driving on the public highway in the UK since December 2003, with the current fine standing at £200 and six penalty points. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to keep you connected while ensuring your eyes remain on the road and your hands stay on the wheel.
These include systems like Apple CarPay and Android Auto, where a smartphone is connected to the car and a simplified interface is shown on the vehicle’s touchscreen display. It is also worth making sure any cables attached to your phone are positioned so that they don’t interfere with operating the car.
Ultimately, some rules are open to interpretation, with it being the responsibility of individual police officers and the courts to determine what is legal and what isn’t. Government advice sums up the issue, stating: “The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted.”
Is It Illegal To Mount Your Phone On Windshield?
From help with traffic to keeping in touch or weather updates, we all habitually use our phones in the car. For such an integral part of driving today, there isn’t one place you can out your phone to view it. Read on to find out which states and where on your windshields you can mount a phone and avoid the police in your rearview mirror. Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Vermont. Usually, it is required that mounts be located at the bottom of the windshield in a five-inch square on the driver’s side. They make specific mention of obstruction of non-transparent materials-that means a phone.
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. For Connecticut, there is an opening to allow if it can be shown that there is “more than a hypothetical possibility of the item blocking the field of vision.” But since that is up to interpretation it might be best not to have the courts determine your situation.
Is it illegal to mount a phone (or smartwatch) on the windscreen?
A recent incident involving a motorist in Victoria has sparked the question if it is actually illegal to charge and/or mount a mobile phone on a vehicle windscreen. The question comes about as many believe it is legal to do both, however, it is reported that during an incident the driver was told the phone charging in a device mount on the windscreen was not.
As for using a phone when in a device mount, it isn’t entirely straight cut according to the letter of the law – but it is pretty simple when using common sense. The same can be true of a big pair of fluffy dice – this could obstruct the vision of things like pedestrians and other motorists turning onto the road.
The basic point here is that learners and provisional drivers should be wholly engaged with the act of driving and not distracted by talking to someone over the phone. All other functions (including video calls, texting, emailing, task management, photography, social media, shopping and share economy apps) are prohibited.”
“It is illegal to use a hands-free phone whilst driving if it causes you to lose proper control of your vehicle. So we suggest that drivers er on the side of caution when mounting a mobile phone, ensuring that both it and the cord is not a distraction. So a hands-free device can be used, but there are restrictions and rules to follow, such as it being of sound construction and not being in a distracting location.
Is It Illegal To Mount Your Phone On Windshield?
From help with traffic to keeping in touch or weather updates, we all habitually use our phones in the car. For such an integral part of driving today, there isn’t one place you can out your phone to view it.
Read on to find out which states and where on your windshields you can mount a phone and avoid the police in your rearview mirror.
Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Vermont. Usually, it is required that mounts be located at the bottom of the windshield in a five-inch square on the driver’s side. They make specific mention of obstruction of non-transparent materials-that means a phone.
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. For Connecticut, there is an opening to allow if it can be shown that there is “more than a hypothetical possibility of the item blocking the field of vision.” But since that is up to interpretation it might be best not to have the courts determine your situation.
California Hands-Free Law: Where to Mount Your Phone in Your Car
If you live in the state of California, you’re undoubtedly aware of the hands-free phone law that recently went into effect. As for drivers elsewhere, it’s always a good idea to be aware as stricter hands-free phone laws become more widespread. Starting January 1, 2017, California Assembly Bill 1785 makes it illegal to use your phone – or technically, “a handheld wireless telephone or a wireless electronic communication device” – while driving unless you’re using it hands-free and voice-operated. Here’s the catch: if your phone is mounted legally (keep reading), the new law allows you to touch the phone once to “activate or deactivate a feature or function … with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger.”
For instance, that means you can’t have your phone mounted in the middle of your windshield anymore – a very common location.
The Best Smartphone Car Docks That Are Legal In Your State
In California, for example, you can place suction cup mounts in either a 5″ square in the lower corner of the driver’s side window, or a 7″ square in the lower corner of the passenger’s side of the windshield. If you live in one of those states (or Missouri or North Carolina) you could consider a suction cup mount like this one from Amoner that can adjust to the size of most popular phones. While most states have laws governing obstructions on windows, dashboard suction cup mounts live in a more nebulous area. Technically, these don’t mount to your windshield, but they can still obstruct your view, depending on placement.
If you want to be absolutely sure you’re not blocking your view, attaching your phone to an air vent is a pretty safe bet. This model from Macully grips your phone in a cradle you can attach to the slats of an air vent. This gives you a cradle right in front of the CD tray opening so, as long it’s not blocking your view (unlikely) or your stereo buttons (slightly more likely), you should be good and legal. If neither of the above options work, Macully also makes a cup holder dock with an extendable arm to place your phone at a somewhat higher level.
Are Suction Cup Windshield Mounts Legal In Your State?
Are Suction Cup Windshield Mounts Legal In Your State? Do you use suction cup windshield mounts to support your GPS or smartphone while driving?
Read on to find a safe, legal mounting solution for the state(s) in which you drive. States in Which Suction Cup Windshield Mounts Are Illegal
States with Laws that Restrict Windshield Mounting Location There are a handful of states in which suction cup windshield mounts are legal, but the law states specific requirements on where the GPS unit or smartphone can be mounted on the windshield.
Other states restrict the type of device that is allowed to be mounted onto the windshield. States In Which Suction Cup Windshield Mounts Are Legal
This leaves only a handful of states in which windshield suction cup mounts are legal, as long as the device does not obstruct the operator’s direct line of sight: Our suction cup mount can easily be attached to your windshield, but the mount also comes with a 3M adhesive disk so you can attach the suction cup to your dashboard or console (shown below).
However, make sure to check the laws in your state on any specific rules that may prohibit you from mounting devices in other locations. Having your phone or GPS securely mounted within reach will keep you less distracted while driving.
86% of our customers say they are a safer driver since installing their ProClip mounting solution. We also offer adapter plates which allow you to attach your own GPS holder to one of our vehicle-specific dashboard or console mounts.
Do you know if your state bans cell phones or texting while driving? Check out our blog on cell phone driving laws by state.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in June of 2013. The original information was based on a report by POI factory and was revamped in October of 2015.
Windshield Mounting Laws for All 50 States in the US
A simple drive across the United States exposes the average driver to a variety of natural environments, changing weather conditions, and variable laws of the road. One of the trickiest laws for people to keep tabs on involves windshield mounts for GPS devices and smartphones. Below, you’ll find a helpful guide that clarifies the laws and regulations in each US state regarding mounting devices on the windshield of a vehicle. States that fall into the YES category are those which allow GPS receivers and smartphones to be mounted on the windshield of a vehicle.
In Connecticut, a litmus test is available that states there must “be a more than hypothetical possibility of the item blocking the field of vision.” In DC, all electronic devices are prohibited inside vehicles unless a hands-free accessory is equipped. Finally, Utah allows for a mount along the top edge of the windshield or lower left corner in a 3″ x 4″ rectangle.
Is It Legal to Mount Phone on Dashboard, Windshield in NY, NJ…50 States
Do you know that; the suction cup that attached to your windshield and help you to take calls and to use GPS that is illegal in almost 70% of United States. So the Complete list is provided below; you will clearly know that in which state you can legally mount a phone holder on dashboard or/and windshield. Be Careful: no matter, in your state it is illegal or totally legal you should always focus on driving and keep your hands on steering wheel. So these are the states that’s laws clearly said that you cannot mount a GPS devices and phone holder on the windshield because these are the non-transparent materials.
10 Car Accessories That Keep You Hands-Free
Its flexible gooseneck allows you to achieve your desired viewing position, while the one button release ensures easy attachment and detachment of the phone. I like that this unit sits low, can be mounted easily and securely, and does not block my driver’s view, or the auto controls you need.” Shop Now
Want to use your phone in the car? You may need a mount. Here are options.
Motorists will have to go hands-free — securely anchoring their phones within their car cabins so the devices can be seen but don’t have to be physically manipulated, aside from quick screen taps here and there. This is a time of potential confusion for drivers who may have never considered how to mount their phones for hands-free use but must now scramble to do so or risk incurring steep fines. Inside-car locations include air vents, windshield, dashboard, cup holder and CD-player slot.
These are designed to physically clip onto one of the slats in a vent, and serve as an easily viewable, readily accessible phone platform.
Disadvantages include the blocking of a vent (problematic on hot or cold days when you need airflow the most) and potential dislodging of or damage to an air-vent slat. Disadvantages include the potential for suction-cup failure, but the cups work better now than they once did — some have levers or knobs to tighten the bond.
But adhesive can be more reliable in certain cases because a dashboard’s irregular surface might prevent a good suction bond. Cup-holder mounts have adjustable bases to fit in cup holders of various sizes, along with a spot on top for the phone.
These don’t tightly grip your phone but instead rely on gravity along with two or more alignment prongs to keep the gizmo in position.
For recent-model smartphones that support wireless charging, a new crop of phone mounts builds in such cord-free juicing.
Take particular note of its newer, minimalist Lux mounts, with vent and dashboard versions along with variations that hold handsets via clamps or magnets. The authoritative Wirecutter product-recommendation site offers suggestions in the wireless and non-wireless categories, with mounts that install in a car by all the usual means — including into the CD slot.
Be First to Comment