Ask a Cop: Can I Use a GPS or Maps Function on My Smartphone as I Drive?

Is there anything you have ever wanted to know about the Mountain View Police Department? Well, this is your chance to ask.

Whether you have a question about certain laws and how they might affect you, your family or friends, or how to stay safe in certain situations, we want you to ask them. We will run the question(s) and give some answer(s). To submit a question, leave a comment below or emailmountainview@patch.com.

Answer provided by Lt. Greg Oselinsky aka "Greg the Traffic Cop."

Question: Is it okay to use the GPS function on your iPad or other mobile device while driving? Does it have to be mounted or can it rest on the passenger seat?

Answer: There is not a specific law to prohibit the use of a GPS device or mapping on an iPad. But be careful here. If your iPad is connected to the internet or a wireless carrier it may be deemed a phone because of the Facetime capabilities. Further, just because there isn’t a specific law prohibiting it, doesn’t mean that there isn’t already a law that applies.  Section 22350 of the Vehicle Code is the basic speed law and says that you cannot drive faster than is safe. If by juggling your iPad, applying mascara, and eating a cheeseburger you are, in my opinion, driving at a speed unsafe for the conditions (because of what you are doing) you can get a speeding ticket even if you are driving at the limit. I would anticipate this type of ticket being contested in court, but that’s what the court is for.  Lets both go to court and let a judge decide if what you were doing was unsafe.