bought a smile to the face

[Grimm]

Say what you will but if you honestly think reading a Kindle (which takes much more time than a one second glance) is the same as that one second glance at the GPS then there is really nothing more for us to discuss.

Would you say that using your rear view or side mirrors when changing lanes is the same? Are you not SUPPOSED to do that? In fact, those take longer to do than glancing at a GPS which, if mounted to the windshield, is mounted right in line with the road ahead of you.

Also, you know that taking your eyes from the road, even for a second, is GOOD because it prevents eye fatigue, right?

[duckeedoug]

Wow. Well if you remember your driver's training you were trained to adjust the side and rear view mirrors prior to driving. Although we all may and probably do adjust our mirrors during our commutes. Just so you know here in California it is illegal to mount a GPS unit anywhere on the windshield except on to the left of the steering wheel, which was only approved in the last year and before that it was not legal to mount a GPS unit anywhere on the windshield. Sure it can be argued that other states have different laws. However the reason that it was/is illegal is because it obstructs a clear view of the road this is one of the reasons for the dash disc and dash mats. Also for the record may GPS units also play music and have ebook and picture viewers as well. In your opinion would it be acceptable to look at pictures or ebooks on the GPS unit or for that matter punch in a address or look at your contact list? I'm having a extremely difficult time gauging where you would draw the line for distractions. How can you justify one distraction as acceptable over another? Frankly it makes no since to me. I will state that I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to distractions, but I won't say that one distraction is acceptable over another because I may look at my GPS unit, answer my phone or look at a sheet of paper making thus making that behavior acceptable. But because I don't look at my e-reader while driving then that has to be classified as unacceptable.

In the eyes of the law I believe that all of the examples cited would be classifed as a distraction and is unacceptable although most of us can be accused of it.

[SneakySnake]

It didn't buy a smile for my face either!

Or was it bring a smile. wait wait wait. That kind of pedantry belongs in another thread.

[Grimm]

Wow. Well if you remember your driver's training you were trained to adjust the side and rear view mirrors prior to driving.

Wow indeed. I said nothing about adjusting them while driving, I said using them while driving. Please don't put words in my mouth. Glancing at your rear view or side view mirrors is no different than glancing at a GPS.

Although we all may and probably do adjust our mirrors during our commutes. Just so you know here in California it is illegal to mount a GPS unit anywhere on the windshield except on to the left of the steering wheel, which was only approved in the last year and before that it was not legal to mount a GPS unit anywhere on the windshield. Sure it can be argued that other states have different laws. However the reason that it was/is illegal is because it obstructs a clear view of the road this is one of the reasons for the dash disc and dash mats.

Yes, it can be argued that way. I've been to California numerous times and I'm not surprised at all about that law. I've driven all over the country and San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles are nightmares. Cali drivers definitely lack something to be desired. I guess turn signals are optional out there. I thought New Yorkers and San Antonians in Texas were horrible drivers until I drove in Cali. As for the obstruction, that's debatable since if the GPS is low enough on the windshield, depending on the car it may only obstruct a view of the hood.

Also for the record may GPS units also play music and have ebook and picture viewers as well. In your opinion would it be acceptable to look at pictures or ebooks on the GPS unit or for that matter punch in a address or look at your contact list? I'm having a extremely difficult time gauging where you would draw the line for distractions.

Again I never said word one about reading or looking at pictures while driving. Nor did I say anything alluding to entering addresses or contacts. You did read my first post, right? I said I wanted to feed the guy his phone and Kindle for using them whilst dirving in my first post. I'll say it again more plainly than before. Glancing at a GPS for one second to see your route, to make sure you're following the colored line on the map is no worse than taking the same amount of time (or more often, longer time as they are generally FURTHER from the view of the road than a windshield mounted GPS) to check surrounding vehicles in your side and rear mirrors. You're having a hard time drawing the line because you are putting words in my mouth. Where did I say ANYTHING in support of this idiot reading whilst driving or typing in an address? I flat out said I wanted to feed that guy his Kindle and phone etc because they are NOT beneficial to his driving and in fact are incredibly dangerous. I do NOT however, see a one second glance at a GPS for the purposes of assisting with driving as a problem.

How can you justify one distraction as acceptable over another? Frankly it makes no since to me. I will state that I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to distractions, but I won't say that one distraction is acceptable over another because I may look at my GPS unit, answer my phone or look at a sheet of paper making thus making that behavior acceptable. But because I don't look at my e-reader while driving then that has to be classified as unacceptable.

Who is justifying??? All I said was it is likely QUICKER to glance at a GPS than it is to look in rear and side view mirrors. I think it makes no sense because you are assuming I approve of things I never said word one about. As for the answering the phone thing, I have NEVER supported that. It's a car (a three thousand pound battering ram) not a phone booth. I personally think cops should be able to stop and ticket people who have a phone up to their ear whilst driving. If it's so important to talk to someone on the phone, then do everyone a favor and pull over. We all survived without talking on the phone while driving before the advent of cell phones, we can do the same now. And let me say it before you ask. If you need to change an address in your GPS, yes, you need to get off the road to do it but looking at the GPS for one second should not require that. No I do NOT think glancing at the GPS once in a while is the same as talking on a cell phone. Seriously, unless it's a serious emergency, hang the f'n phone up!

In the eyes of the law I believe that all of the examples cited would be classifed as a distraction and is unacceptable although most of us can be accused of it.

That's a big assumption to make, it is not illegal here to use a GPS, nor should it be if all you're doing is glancing at a screen for a second. If that were the case, removal of mirrors would be vital as it takes longer to look at them and they are further from the windshield.

[ManosHandsOfFate]

I used to have a long stop and go commute. I'd see people reading the paper fairly regularly. Of course, when you're going 10 mph accidents don't kill people. Still. . .