USA: New Jersey To Ban GPS Operations On Motorcycles/Cars |
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File under News GPS
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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It looks like Spain is not the only area of the world where you are not allowed to operate a GPS while riding your motorcycle (or driving your car). When I posted the article {link}, I had a lot of bad comments about not going to Spain, but now the politicians in the USA think it's a great idea.
The New Jersey  State Legislators are drawing up a bill that will forbid anyone from operating a GPS while on the move. Their penalties are less severe than Spain, "only" a US$100 fine, but still...
I understand that some people think you need to concentrate 100% on the road, and as a biker, I agree. But where's the limit. Anything that detracts from your ability to focus on the road should go in that case. Out goes the radio, MP3/iPod/Cd players, CB radio, and God help us, out goes the mother-in-law.
There's a fine line between operating equipment while riding and being safe. Every time you do something other than concentrating on the road and traffic, you stand the chance of causing an accident. One moment of inattention is enough to cause death. But multiple studies have proven that a GPS increases safety {link}, since you don't need to be scanning road signs all the time, just listen to the instructions. Most people, and I'd say it's probably a vast majority, don't program a GPS while on the move.
The only interaction with a GPS while moving is usually limited to pressing a button for a choice, like a deviation coming up, or allowing a rerouting. They usually implicate pressing the touch screen in one of two areas. Yes, you can crash into a vehicle when you do this, but you can also (and it happens all the time) when changing radio station or changing a CD in the CD player. If these so-called intelligent politicians really want to ensure road safety, shouldn't they forbid all equipment in vehicles, only leaving the bare essential for getting the vehicle to go from point A to point B? At least our cars will become cheaper...
So to me, this again has nothing to do with safety, but more with how to get more money into bankrupt governments.
What do you think? Good measure, or money spinning themes.
Via: AutoBlog
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