German Courts Rule Phone Nav Units Illegal

[FloydT]

About grantp's "listening to Ipod while cycling" comment, already dislegal in some US jurisdictions! At least if you are wearing both ear phones. Same logic as the more wide-spread laws against driving while wearing earphones covering both ears. You can't hear what's going on around you, like the siren on the cop car trying to get your attention... Of course they make the assumption that everyone listens to their music or audiobooks at deafening levels. Thanks for bringing several points to my attention, including the new Germal rules, that will keep some of my money in my wallet when my ramblings bring me to Europe.

FloydT
Have Passport; will travel.
Retired moving target somewhere in North America at the moment.
Garmin eMap & TomTom One XLS

[jonandmarkuk]

I can see the likes of Apple not liking this and take it to the European courts to lodge a complaint.
Apple have just launched the new iPhone's and making heavy advertisment of the built in GPS so Germany has helped to kill sales of the iPhone for people who wanted them for the GPS.
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Navigon 8450 LIVE

[grantp]

FloydT

I suspect there will be several existing laws in most jurisdictions to prevent people doing almost anything but that, sadly, does not prevent lawmakers and their masters coming up with new derivations for self evident social control purposes.

So that means, since they have cyclists covered already, all we need are laws to stop pedestrians walking the streets listening to iPods or talking on telephones while moving.

Now, let's see, what else with road safety in mind, er, oh yes. How about 'Walking, running or any other form of self powered mobility whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs'.


Grant

[robert1275]

Darren: We have read the court's decision and this ruling applies ONLY if the individual has the device in their hand or touches it while driving. So if the smartphone is in a PDA holder this is fine

[grantp]

[RobBrady]

[simontdc]

Er, the iPhone would already be illegal with this use in the UK - and probably most of Europe.

Being a hand held device that is something that ‘is or must be held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function’. A device ‘similar’ to a mobile phone includes a device that can be used for sending or receiving spoken or written messages, sending or receiving still or moving images or providing Internet access.
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G1NTX AFRIN LRPS

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