by tzs | 2025-07-05 22:36:55+00:00
Here's the text of the current law [1] for those curious. That link is to the heart of it, but for completeness there is more on the next and previous pages at that link.

Some observations.

1. The gist is that driving while "holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications device" is prohibited unless it is specifically designed and configured to allow voice or hand-free operations and it is used in that matter.

2. "This section shall not apply to manufacturer-installed systems that are embedded in the vehicle".

I wonder where this leaves CarPlay and Android Auto? My understanding is that while these use the car's infotainment system for their UI the applications such as navigation are running on your phone.

3. There is an exception allowing use of the driver's hand if two conditions are satisfied:

• The device is mounted on the windshield in the same manner as a a portable GPS as described in some other section of the Vehicle Code that they cite or it is mounted or affixed to the dashboard or center console in a way that doesn't interfere with the view of the road.

• The driver's hand is used to activate or deactivate a feature or function with a single swipe or tap of the driver's finger.

It's interesting to compare with other states to see the different expressions of essentially the same intent. I just recently had occasion to look at Washington's equivalent [2] law. It's more concise in some parts and more detailed in others.

It starts out with a general prohibition:

> (1) A person who uses a personal electronic device while driving a motor vehicle on a public highway is guilty of a traffic infraction and must pay a fine as provided in RCW 46.63.110(3)

That's followed with some exceptions including contacting emergency services, some transit system employee communication with dispatch services, some commercial driver use within the scope of their employment, and operators of emergency vehicles.

It defines some of the terms:

> "Driving" means to operate a motor vehicle on a public highway, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays. "Driving" does not include when the vehicle has pulled over to the side of, or off of, an active roadway and has stopped in a location where it can safely remain stationary.

and

> "Personal electronic device" means any portable electronic device that is capable of wireless communication or electronic data retrieval and is not manufactured primarily for hands-free use in a motor vehicle. "Personal electronic device" includes, but is not limited to, a cell phone, tablet, laptop, two-way messaging device, or electronic game. "Personal electronic device" does not include two-way radio, citizens band radio, or amateur radio equipment.

and

> "Use" or "uses" means:

> (i) Holding a personal electronic device in either hand or both hands;

> (ii) Using your hand or finger to compose, send, read, view, access, browse, transmit, save, or retrieve email, text messages, instant messages, photographs, or other electronic data; however, this does not preclude the minimal use of a finger to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of the device;

> (iii) Watching video on a personal electronic device.

[1] https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-veh/division-11...

[2] https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.672