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< Esato Forum Index > General discussions > General > New Zealand: SatNav phones will be illegal - Govt Bookmark topic

The Transport Ministry has clarified the terms of a new law that restricts the use of cellphones in cars, saying that from November it will be illegal to use a mobile phone as a satellite navigation aid while driving.

2degrees chief executive Eric Hertz admitted rear-ending another vehicle at an intersection in Auckland a few weeks ago while glancing at directions on his iPhone, which was mounted on a hands-free kit in his car.

Under the new law, that would be illegal, Transport Ministry spokesman John Summers confirmed. "The Road User Amendment Rule 2009 means drivers will not be able to look at a navigation aid on a mobile phone when driving, even if it is mounted on the dashboard.

"You can use a mobile phone held in a cradle while driving, but only to make, receive or terminate a phone call. You cannot use them in any other way, such as reading a GPS map, reading email or consulting an electronic diary."

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Posted: 2009-09-28 15:38:23
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sounds about right... screen that size require your attention off the road for too long.

I wouldn't want to be using anything much smaller than the 4.3" screen on my Garmin
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Posted: 2009-09-28 16:18:58
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so you think increasing the screen size would null this law?

the drivers can pull out the road and then watch what way to go on their gps devices.
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Posted: 2009-09-28 16:31:54
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Absolutley stupid. Put your phone in a cardboard box and write "NAVMAN" on it and your past that law . Anyway, most GPS systems require just as much attention as a mobile phone, they may aswell outlaw them too
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Posted: 2009-09-29 00:15:39
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@tranced, you're missing the whole point of a nav in a car

@yea g, re: cardboard box... huh?
I'm not sure if you've used a standalone GPS with a good size screen but they just need a quick glance after the voice message to fully orientate you where you're going.

its human nature that the smaller the screen the more you will stare at it, and that is based not on driving history but on what has brought about what is now called "human factors" in any commercial pilots licence training

but yes... I believe its also true that talking on a hands free phone takes more attention than talking to a passenger
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Posted: 2009-09-29 00:25:31
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I do have a proper GPS system, but I guess you could just have the phone in your pocket connected to the stereo through bluetooth then it could just tell you where to go without needing to look at it. Still, its a stupid law, most full touch screen smartphones have screens bigger than most GPS's avliable here
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Posted: 2009-09-29 01:10:52
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having tried both a large screen gps (pda based) and a phone based map its my opinion that they are different. The iphone is probably on the small side but "ok" so long as there are audio prompts.
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Posted: 2009-10-30 15:34:03
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