Legality of using maps on a phone while driving

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Legality of using maps on a phone while driving

jlittle

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#265731 7-Feb-2020 23:28

I've often done this, assuming that it's the same situation as looking at a map while driving. But what I could find about the topic is that using the phone "in any other way" (than communicating) is prohibited. To be sure, I'm usually not driving at speed looking at the map, rather consulting it while stopped at lights or the like. But might I get pinged by a camera looking at the phone?

It seems to me the ban does not consider this obvious use of a phone. (I didn't need the law to stop me from texting, calling, or reading anything while driving.)

Regards, John Little

Dratsab

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#2414452 7-Feb-2020 23:53

If you have it in a holder attached to your windscreen (or dash - although this takes it out of the road's sight plane) there'll be no issues - it's not really any different than using a dedicated GPS unit in that respect. If you're using it manually you could well run into an issue if someone reports you or a cop spots you.

The last three cars I've owned I've put a phone holder on the windscreen and installed a bluetooth capable radio so I can use Google Maps, stream music, and make/receive phone calls without having to handle the phone. They don't cost a lot and I've never once been questioned about the phone when going through checkpoints etc.

In terms of getting pinged by a camera - unlike Australia, New Zealand doesn't have cameras which could/would detect phone usage. Unfortunately.

Off topic: This might change in the not too distant future as time's up for the current police commissioner. From what I hear, the chap tipped to take over is all for this type of kit. He's also in favour of body cams and dash cams - items which will save millions per annum across multiple government departments/agencies.

Oblivian

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#2414453 7-Feb-2020 23:58

They drive lines of traffic at lights here on bikes looking out for people on mobiles.. Doubt there would be much differentiation to maps vs using to do other tasks.

May be some individual discretion/interpretation toward if it was on a mount on the window perhaps. As it would then be like a GPS unit itself.

Nobody wants to share the road with a driver who isn’t paying attention. When you’re driving, your focus should be on the road and getting everybody in your car to the destination safely. Put the phone away and keep your eyes on the road, this includes when you've stopped at traffic lights...

Under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 drivers can't use, while driving, a hand-held mobile phone to:

make, receive or terminate a telephone call
create, send or read a text message or email
create, send or view a video message
communicate in a similar or any other way.

Me - I talk to assistant to start nav/ask for next turn/add via

Journeyman

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#2414454 7-Feb-2020 23:59

It needs to be mounted and handsfree if you're using the map on the phone. You can't hold it in your hand and use it, even to look a the map.

You're not supposed to look at a paper map while driving either. You could potentially be done for distracted driving.

jlittle

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#2414456 8-Feb-2020 01:13

Thanks all for your replies.

I have a suction windscreen mount, which works, but its a nuisance putting the phone in it, and that requires advance planning. The mount also works on a spot on the dash of my family's second car, and that spot has a similar viewing angle to mounting on the windscreen.

Some people use the voice prompts effectively, but I haven't got used to that. But usually I'm not navigating, rather monitoring traffic congestion in the city.

Regards, John Little

michaelmurfy

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#2414457 8-Feb-2020 01:31

If you can - I really recommend Apple Carplay / Android Auto. It is great as it gives easy access to navigation, music etc. I personally have an iPhone w/ Apple Carplay in my cars and couldn't go back - I can ask Siri to queue something up on Spotify, navigate me somewhere and it just works. My phone is tucked away in a compartment, out of the way so there are no distractions while driving.

Aftermarket head units are not too much to buy / get installed if your car doesn't already have this but it is a massive upgrade in my books. No need to mount your phone - just plug in the cable and put your phone anywhere.

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Bung

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#2414503 8-Feb-2020 07:46

Oblivian:
They drive lines of traffic at lights here on bikes looking out for people on mobiles.. Doubt there would be much differentiation to maps vs using to do other tasks.

May be some individual discretion/interpretation toward if it was on a mount on the window perhaps. As it would then be like a GPS unit itself.

Nobody wants to share the road with a driver who isn’t paying attention. When you’re driving, your focus should be on the road and getting everybody in your car to the destination safely. Put the phone away and keep your eyes on the road, this includes when you've stopped at traffic lights...

Under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 drivers can't use, while driving, a hand-held mobile phone to:

make, receive or terminate a telephone call

create, send or read a text message or email

create, send or view a video message

communicate in a similar or any other way.

Me - I talk to assistant to start nav/ask for next turn/add via

The Rule allowing a fix mounted phone to be used for calls also covers using GPS. Any discretion or interpretation would only apply to the amount of time you were seen interacting with the phone. Even with a mounted phone you can't use it for txt or video etc.

"A driver may, while driving a vehicle, use a mobile phone in a way described in subclause (1)(a) or (f), if both the following apply:
(a)the phone is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle; and
(b)if the driver manipulates or looks at the phone, he or she does so infrequently and briefly."

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Geektastic

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#2414545 8-Feb-2020 10:12

michaelmurfy:

If you can - I really recommend Apple Carplay / Android Auto. It is great as it gives easy access to navigation, music etc. I personally have an iPhone w/ Apple Carplay in my cars and couldn't go back - I can ask Siri to queue something up on Spotify, navigate me somewhere and it just works. My phone is tucked away in a compartment, out of the way so there are no distractions while driving.

Aftermarket head units are not too much to buy / get installed if your car doesn't already have this but it is a massive upgrade in my books. No need to mount your phone - just plug in the cable and put your phone anywhere.

It is good. I have both inbuilt Tomtom navigation and Apple Car Play and Car Play is excellent. My only complaint is that it isn't wireless when connecting to the phone which seems somewhat backward.

Obraik

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#2415568 10-Feb-2020 13:55

Geektastic:

It is good. I have both inbuilt Tomtom navigation and Apple Car Play and Car Play is excellent. My only complaint is that it isn't wireless when connecting to the phone which seems somewhat backward.

There was a discussion in another thread here that talked about an adapter that brings the wireless Carplay capability to cars that only have the wired version. Might be worth a try.

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geekiegeek

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#2415595 10-Feb-2020 15:29

Obraik:

Geektastic:

It is good. I have both inbuilt Tomtom navigation and Apple Car Play and Car Play is excellent. My only complaint is that it isn't wireless when connecting to the phone which seems somewhat backward.

There was a discussion in another thread here that talked about an adapter that brings the wireless Carplay capability to cars that only have the wired version. Might be worth a try.

I recently upgraded my Audi stock stereo to a Pioneer unit with wireless apple CarPlay. Wireless is such a great feature, hop in the car and you're connected. Don't even have to take my phone out of my pocket.