infringing on personal rights or what!

Those Iowa towns would probably be safer if they banned 16 year old driver instead of GPSs.

So folks with a GPS built into the vehicle aren't allowed in town?? Gonna be a hard law to enforce...

the same type of issue that happens with local gun laws pre-empting state law. Some states have laws on the books that say local can't be more restrictive than the state but they get on the books anyway.

I don't see how banning a gps makes the 16-year old learn to be a better driver either. There are plenty of distractions while driving and I think cell phones are a much bigger one than a gps!

I agree that it's probably not okay for them to want to ban the use of GPS units, however, can you tell me what "right" they are violating?

.

Well said!

*Maybe they should ban radios as well, you know when your singing your not paying attention to the road.

*When you talking on a blue tooth cell phone your not paying attention to the road

* I guess cars should only have one seat, when you talk to a passenger, are you really paying attention to the road?

What right you ask?

Being treated like an child and not the Adult that you are, like you might actually have common sense and can make choices and decisions with out the help of those few that believe they know whats good for everyone else.

It is getting old fast.

are you implying that unless a right is explicitly spelled out in the Constitution that it does not exist? I would say, for starters, that they are violation the rights of other Iowa citizens who are properly licensed by the state of Iowa and who comply with all Iowa laws, particularly those from outside the area who happen to travel through the towns involved. Of course, you could argue that everyone in Iowa needs to get GPS and have POIs to avoid those towns, but that logic seems flawed to me.

Which communities?

Dang - hit post before I was done... DSM Register doesn't show any stories...

Again, I'm not at all arguing that it's okay. I would argue that it's not okay.

But people are quick to say "my rights are being violated" when they aren't.

And yes, if it's not in the Constitution, typically in our legal system, it's not a right.

How is this any different from the states that ban handheld cell phone use? Or make it illegal to have a GPS unit on their windshield?

Or what about the places (Virginia and DC) that ban radar detector use?

Or ban loaded handguns (New York City)?

Or driving a legally licensed motorcycle in a state with a helmet law without wearing helmet.

Isn't this the same thing?

We can disagree with the law and argue that it's not fair or correct, but it's not a rights violation at all.

That's all I was asking. What "right" is being violated?

A lot of people get privileges confused with "rights." Is having a Driver License a 'right' or is it a privilege? If it's a right, why do you have to take a test for it and prove you have an understanding of the laws regarding having a license along with showing you have the ability to control a vehicle? MM is correct on this - we often assume what has been granted as a privilege quickly morphs into a 'right.'

At least that's what the DMV says... If you drive in some areas (Like the 405 almost any time of day) you have to wonder....

It's a wonder that these communites have time to pass laws that they have no intention of enforceing. They don't have the man power to do it due to not haveing the money to hire a proper police force. They due have the money to sit in do nothing meetings passing do nothing laws in order to make it look like they are working for the community.

I'm done, that was my 2 coppers.

What town in Iowa? I can't believe that the GPS was the only distraction, what was her name in the car doing at the time and my mother is 80 and lives in Iowa. I don't think many towns in Iowa are large enough to warrant a GPS, unless he was from outta town.

My boss was hit on his bicycle by someone distracted trying to find a cassette. So should they ban radios and other music players?

I remember when an Iowa legislator wanted to ban spinner hubcaps, because he thought a vehicle stopped at a stop sign was still moving, and ran his vehicle and boat trailer off into a ditch. Life outside of the big city.

Human

Have a read at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights

We really need an answer to this. Now I'll be afraid to go thru any towns near me until I know. I have 2 small towns right next to me that are capable of this. I don't think they passed such a silly thing but maybe??

I consider this story under the category of "rural legend" until we see some evidence it's true. If it is, there is still the question of whether a local community has the right to even enact such a law? I have seen local laws that affect drivers' noise level and how often you can cruise the main streets, but none that affect the operation of the vehicle.

Driving on publicly funded roads is a highly regulated privilege because the health and safety of others is so directly affected. Elected officials have a duty to protect citizens but it is easy to go to far in the name of "safety".

Was this bicycle equipped with a flux capacitor carrying him back to 1985?

and the one the government violates the most:

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

The Ninth Amendment basically says that the government should keep its nose out of your business; thus, I have a right to use my property as I see fit...I use a radar detector in VA and basically dare them every trip through to stop me so I can bring the civil rights lawsuit against them; I drove in MN with the GPS on my windshield, again, daring them to stop me...there are many things I do simply because I refuse to chafe under the yoke of a government that is too far out of control and has been for a long long time...may not be for everyone but that's what the government counts on...the Sheeple not doing anything to help themselves and challenge authority. The Constitution give you NO rights...it protects from government interference the rights you enjoy as a free person in an open society!

JM2C, YMMV

Ted

This is a common misinterpretation of the Ninth Amendment which several courts have had doesn't construe any rights. Several courts have also issued opinions that it only applies to the Federal government.

But knock yourself out and do whatever you feel you should. See how long you last bringing a loaded handgun into New York City. (Just don't let it misfired while it's in your running pants. I don't think that either you or Mr. Burress will win an argument that your "rights" were violated.}

Well said BobDee!

I understand the point of your question MM. It's always good to challenge simplistic statements; it sharpens our thinking and hones our arguments!

But again, I'm with BobDee, it's getting old fast!

... and to him that is dismaying because he would like to see government take an active role in our daily lives. But he is right about the Constitution. At its core, the Constitution is a document that asserts that all people are created equal and free by our creator and goes on the describe the few things that government is to do and the many things that it cannot do. It really is a beautiful document! I just wish our leaders were more familiar with it.

Do I hear bail-outs and government health-care? We've come a long way from the principles in the Constitution that have allowed America to be the greatest nation on earth!

Like you said, it is Iowa.

A major US automaker is starting a new feature with their 2009 models, a special key for your teen driver. The parents can limit different criteria such as radio volume, max car speed, and enforce seatbelt use. Some teenagers don't like it, but I haven't heard any complaints from parents.

Did they outlaw paper maps too? It is really much safer to have an atlas propped up on your steering wheel .

I haven't heard of this. Which auto maker is it?

Addendum: It seems to be Ford and the article I read says it will start in 2010. http://boingboing.net/2008/10/09/ford-will-offer-spec.html

friend of mine went to chicago his car was stolen . Car was found hour later cellphone ,chargecards and gps missing cops apprehended the idiot at a pawn shop

Yeah, passengers are just as big a potential distraction to the driver as any electronic device, that's for sure.

I definitely make more mistakes driving when my wife is sitting in the passenger seat next to me, carrying on a conversation. At least... she points out many more driving mistakes made by me than I notice when I'm driving by myself. So it must be her fault .

just give me empty asphalt, dagnabbit!

These politicians are finding these ideas for what to save people from them selves.
Why don`t they ban handguns they are much dangerous than GPS.
They should ban ridicules ideas. Why don`t they ban cars, you will see what they have to say. I am afraid to bring this subject to light,they can find it amusing.

Falcao

Well, the towns need to do a little research.

According to the Communications act of 1932, only Congress and the FCC have the right to control the use of transmitters and receivers.

Many homeowner associations banned satelite TV dishes and folks took them to court for that reason.
Guess what - the associations lost.

I have often wondered how states and cities are getting away with banning the use of cell phones while driving, but I guess that's a real saftey issue.

Or better yet, how does Virginia manage to ban Radar Detectors, even though the user may not use it to avoid speeding tickets while using a Radar "receiver".

Lots of legal questions for the courts to hash out.

I say outlaw the 16 year old drivers.

Well, the statue in Virginia prohibits the radar detector from even being in the vehicle. By statute, they do not have to prove that it was in use.

So technically, they aren't controlling its use.

the presence of any such prohibited device or mechanism in or on a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation of this section. The Commonwealth need not prove that the device or mechanism in question was in an operative condition or being operated.

And I'm not sure that the Communications Act (which was overhauled in 1996) would be construed to mean that the states can't regulate this. I would imagine that if that were the case, the Virginia ban (which has been in existence for a long time) would have already been overturned.

Well, I don't know of anyone attemting to challenge the state law using the Federal law.

I do know that when the sattelite dish controversies erupted, Ham Radio operators were involved at the same time and they won. But that was antennas, and the battles still continue.

I seem to remember that the courts decided that licensing transmitters, receivers and antennas was strictly in the domain of the Federal Government.

At any rate, "Punish the many because of a few" seems to be the norm these days.

IANAL(TM) but that seems perilously close to "guilty until proved innocent"?

However I do tend to agree with the comment about 16 year old drivers. I've often thought the drinking/driving age thing would make more sense if it were reversed. Drink at 16 (which they do anyway) but can't drive until 19, by which time they might have learned to drink sensibly.

What are you talking about? Several people are wanting to know where in Iowa the alleged ban against the use of GPS is at, a question which I don't believe has been answered, and the above quote is your reply?

Four years ago I was hit head on by a 17 year old driver who apparently had been too tired to stay awake while driving. He was a good student and by all accounts a good kid, though I did not know him personally. The accident killed him and it nearly killed me....literally 15 more minutes and curtains. 1.5 weeks ICU, 2.5 weeks acute care, 1.5 months nursing home. Now 4 years later my leg is still broken and requires another surgery.

Moral of the story, teach your kids to drive and DON'T think for one second that a good kid can't make a fatal mistake.

The only part that was "fixed" was the part where Al Gore invented the Internet. Otherwise it's still the Communications Act of 1934 as amended.

I suspect this idea is an Urban Legend and not true since no one will confirm the towns.

weather or not this is or isn't a violation of rights or priveledges it is going overboard
The warning that pops up on the gps everytime you turn it on tells you not to use it while in motion and to only make quick glances...that should be enough to avoid accidents
If they want to go all out and make the roads safe then they should ban that hot girl/guy that you just checked out as you drove by.....they should ban new drivers, they don't have enough experience....they should ban shifter sticks, turn signals, warning lights, gas guages, spedometers, and all other instruments in the car, they take your attention off the road....they should ban anyone or anything famous, they attract too much attention....they should make roads with a minimum of ten feet between lanes and sidewalks, because they are dangerously close...I could go on

And switching the drinking age is a bad idea.....Teens are most succeptable to drugs and alcohol for many reason....Stress from school, work, money, parents, friends, ect.... being surrounded by people they think are cool and finding that those people drink and do drugs, thus calculating drinking as cool....and immaturity which I have noticed often does not disappear when you become an adult.

Allowing sixteen year olds to drink just means when they get their license they have already turned into drunks...and we can't really prevent a drunk from getting his license if they can pass the tests...you can only take away their license when they are caught driving drunk

and I think that you should know if a gps unit is banned in your hometown....but if you are just traveling through....don't bother researching...if you are pulled over just tell the policeperson the truth "I'm not from around here, I'm just traveling through, and I had no idea that it was illegal"...they should send you off with a warning

Go to google and type in:

gps banned iowa

No Iowa hits, but lots of others.

Well when I was 16 everyone I knew drank, and from what I can see today not much has changed. What I wasn't able to do when I drank at that age was get behind a steering wheel, much safer for me and everyone around me. By the time I did get a license I'd gotten over the "drink till you fall over" stage. However excuse any typo's - I obviously became a drunk at a very young age!

We soon need a computer with gps to track all the by-laws politicians pass and we don`t know nothing about. With so many laws in the books do you thing you can remember all, and if you travel cross country do you thing any body from N.Y knows what laws they passed in CO.
These laws are like a toll for the travelers who are not aware of the laws and use the devices like they were using in their states.
There are so many sectors of the society that lack good legislation and you thing they pass laws to level the field, no , because if they do they are not going to be elected again.
Passing laws to ban gps is like passing a law to collect more money from travelers not aware of the laws in those states.

You're joking, correct? Or are you lamenting that sad but apparent situation? I can't tell for certain.

I think people who text while driving are far more dangerous than anyone I've ever met on the road operating a GPS.

There is a point here: IF drivers are just as occupied with their GPS as some drivers are with their cell phones when driving, we have a safety risk to consider. Non-hand held cell phones does not solve the problem. The problem with using your cell phone while driving is: your attention is on the one you are speaking to! Watch out when using your GPS, it's fun but not a toy!
Do I have a problem now being among GPS freaks!??

I agree. The people of that town should stand up against such stupid legislation. Don't these politicians have more pressing issues.