Windshield GPS Law
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 16 years
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in California may be changed in the near future. SB1567 legislation would allow a portable GPS to be "mounted in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver if the system is used only for door-to-door navigation while the motor vehicle is being operated and outside of an airbag deployment zone". The Senate Bill (SB)is sponsered by Senator Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach. It was passed by the Senate on May 15, 2008 with a vote of 38-1. The bill is now being considered by the Assembly.
As the law is now you may received a citation in California if your GPS is attached to the windshield. It is a "obstructed view" citation, California Vehicle Code Section 26708 violation.
Norm
Windshield law
I've spoken with CHP officers at least 5 times while I had the mount for my 76CSx stuck to the windshield of my truck. I always mount it low and on the left of the steering wheel. Not one has commented on the mount.
In California, anything hung from the rear-view mirror is illegal. Anything affixed to the side windows (garfield toys, baby on board signs, pull down shades, etc.) is illegal. Anything on the back window other than in a very small space out of the line of vision of the rear-view mirror is illegal.
CHP has other things to worry about than your GPS mount. As long as you aren't an idiot and stick it in the middle of the windshield or some other place where it will block the vision of the driver, you aren't likely to ever have a problem with CHP on account of the mount.
Yes, they are proposing to modify the law a bit but it isn't as if CHP has been out busting folks for a windshield mount. They CAN use it as a reason to stop you if they like but then they can almost always find some reason to stop you if they want to do so.
I still use the windshield mount for my 76CSx. It's a fairly heavy unit and my truck dash isn't really suited for the bean bag mount. (I've tested it.)
I use the nüvi in the car for work and, for that unit, I use the bean bag mount. The dash in the car works well with the bean bag and the nüvi is much lighter in weight than the 76CSx.
GPSMAP 76CSx - nüvi 760 - nüvi 200 - GPSMAP 78S
Why the 2 inch difference?
in California may be changed in the near future. SB1567 legislation would allow a portable GPS to be "mounted in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver if the system is used only for door-to-door navigation while the motor vehicle is being operated and outside of an airbag deployment zone". The Senate Bill (SB)is sponsered by Senator Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach. It was passed by the Senate on May 15, 2008 with a vote of 38-1. The bill is now being considered by the Assembly.
As the law is now you may received a citation in California if your GPS is attached to the windshield. It is a "obstructed view" citation, California Vehicle Code Section 26708 violation.
Norm
I often find it difficult to figure out what goes through a politician's mind so I have to ask the question: Why the 2 inch difference and is anyone, police included, really ever going to measure?
windshield mounts
I believe that the windshield mount laws were first regulated as an attempt to restrict radar detectors. Now legislation is trying to correct the law as technology progressed.