CA law affects GPS and radar detector mounting

[BlackICE]

26708. (a) (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.
(2) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows.


http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

Suction cup mounting of GPS and radar detectors are illegal in CA! Effectively making it more difficults to legally install a radar detector. I guess a visor or hidden install are the only legal choices.

 

[SYCO GT]

Secure dashboard mounting methods could also likely be used for those interested in complying with this law (in my personal, non-legal interpretation)

When I use a GPS it is mounted to my speedometer glass, with the meter still visible, motivated not necessarily by the desire to comply with 26708(a), but motivated by the desire to have an unobstructed forward view through my windshield.

Another option I have seen, is mounting to the interior air vent.

However, I would like to eventually move to a more permanent and integrated GPS system. I wish we had simple dual DIN chassis capability or at least motorized screen capability in our stock dash system.

 

[Craig]

An exception listed in the law:

(11) An electronic communication device affixed to the center uppermost portion of the interior of a windshield within an area that is not greater than 5 inches square, if the device provides either of the following:
(A) The capability for enforcement facilities of the Department of the California Highway Patrol to communicate with a vehicle equipped with the

device.




The detector is clearly a communication device: CHP points the radar gun at the car, the detector lights up thereby communicating to the driver the proximity of the officer.:biggrin:biggrin:biggrin:biggrin



Craig

 

[SYCO GT]

I like that interpretation of the law Craig!

 

[BlackICE]

The detector is clearly a communication device: CHP points the radar gun at the car, the detector lights up thereby communicating to the driver the proximity of the officer.:biggrin:biggrin:biggrin:biggrin

Craig

Craig, I certainly agree with your interpretation of the law, but I am not sure the Judge would. A trial by jury may acquit, but paying the fine might be easier than escalating it to a jury trial.

 

[Kave]

isnt a rearview mirror affixed to the winshield.

 

[SYCO GT]

(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) Rearview mirrors.

 

[fjpikul]

So as long as you don't use suction cups (maybe affix to mirror), you should be OK?

 

[B O N Y]

Craig, I certainly agree with your interpretation of the law, but I am not sure the Judge would. A trial by jury may acquit, but paying the fine might be easier than escalating it to a jury trial.

Do you think the 1199 plates my help you out?:wink
Bony
Yr sponsor:thumbsup

 

[SYCO GT]

"The execution of the laws is more important than the making them."

Thomas Jefferson, 1789.

One of my vehicles has three transponders affixed to glass. Office access, Community access, Toll Roads. Presumably these would be permitted under the following exemption:

(B) The capability for electronic toll and traffic management on public or private roads or facilities.

I do find it unusual that there is no apparent exemption for GPS devices, whether factory or aftermarket.

My vehicle also has a factory installed GPS module, and a small antenna for remote alarm communication. All items are mounted as directed and as unobtrusive as possible, with no desire nor intent to block any driver outward visibility. Are they in technical compliance? I'm not personally going to worry about it further, as I've done my best to consider and promote safe operation of the vehicle. I am just trying to get my vehicle where it needs to go, so I can earn a living and access my home.

All laws, in my personal opinion, are subject to interpretation. Of course, it sometimes depends on "who" is doing the interpretation, and their level of authority, as well as other circumstances.

In response to fjpikul, note that in my non-legal interpretation, it appears the manner in which the object is affixed is not the main focus, rather what appears to be at issue is whether a non-exempt object is affixed/installed/displayed/etc. in any manner on the windshield or blocking view. Consider the location/obstruction (e.g. window/view), more critical than the particular manner of affixation (e.g. suction cup/adhesive tape). Unfortunately, subsection (a)(2), might possibly be interpreted to include a rear view mirror mounted detector, as "obstructing or reducing clear view..."

 

[BlackICE]

Do you think the 1199 plates my help you out?:wink
Bony
Yr sponsor:thumbsup

I don't know? I depends on why you get pulled over and the CHP's view towards owners of fast and expensive cars. I recalled one pulled over Dr. Sims and made some reference to him being some rich sob and proceed to ticket him.

http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=33179&postcount=8

My brother in law is a physician that saved a CHP's life and he was given a wallet with a CHP star. I expect that might better than the 1199 wallet holder. Although he has never shown that to any CHP officer, since he never breaks the laws of man or nature.

Sorry I missed you and the other owners at Shadowman's. Your car must sound awesome now!

 

[AtomicGT]

Another classic example of our communistic illegal alien pro California legislature including all kinds of restrictions to eventually cause the death of the car enthusiast. Bunch of commie turds in Sacramento thinking up legislation to piss the average car owner and tax payer off. :thumbsdow

 

[AtomicGT]

Black Ice, I have the same circumstances, saved several CHP officers lives, have the star, no tickets

 

[Piana]

Can I borrow it?

 

[AtomicGT]

Nope, I actually have 2 and they stay in my wallet on my driver's license! :banana

 

[BlackICE]

Nope, I actually have 2 and they stay in my wallet on my driver's license! :banana

Does having two mean you can drive twice as fast?

 

[AtomicGT]

No, but it certainly helps in defusing the situation, if you know what I mean! :thumbsup

 

[Spirit]

26708. (a) (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.
(2) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows.


http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

Suction cup mounting of GPS and radar detectors are illegal in CA! Effectively making it more difficults to legally install a radar detector. I guess a visor or hidden install are the only legal choices.

Does this apply to Texicans with foreign plates? :biggrin

I didn't know there were any rules outside of Texas. :frown

 

[Empty Pockets]

26708. (a) (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.

Well then, 'guess we'll have to remove the rear view mirrors from the windshield of ALL our cars won't we. Arn't they an, "...object ...affixed ...upon the windshield"?

'Government.:smash

 

[BlackICE]

There is an exemption for factory installed mirrors.