New Zealand making drivers with cellphone navigation criminals, hugs ok for now (updated)

Starting in November, use of your cellphone's GPS navigation capabilities will be illegal for drivers on New Zealand roadways while dedicated SatNav devices without voice capability are still ok. In fact, use of your modern cellphone as an in-vehicle MP3 player, compass, etc. will all be illegal under Road User Amendment Rule 2009. Here's how it reads currently:

"A driver must not, while driving a vehicle, create, send, or read a text message on a mobile phone or make, receive, or terminate a telephone call on a mobile phone or use a mobile phone in any other way."

A law this broad would also make your car's integrated cellphone entertainment system illegal. There are exceptions of course, one of which allows drivers to use a mobile phone to make, receive, or terminate a telephone call if the phone is mounted in the vehicle and the driver "manipulates the phone infrequently and briefly," even though studies have already concluded that hands-free solutions are still distracting and thus, dangerous. Yeah, the whole thing sounds arbitrary, over-reaching, and completely unenforceable to us as well.

Update: Put down the pitchforks and torches, it looks like the law is already en route for amendment to allow cellphone "satellite navigation or music functions."

[Via Stuff, image courtesy of joannapapa5100]

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2009 6:30AM]

Picture: It seems our friendly Toripolliisi has got into news!
Greetings from Oulu, Finland

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2009 9:12AM]

Such a law is meaningless unless it clearly defines what a mobile telephone is according to the legislation.
What about smartphones? or netbooks whith VOIP used with BT headsets?
And what does "mounted to the car" means? Screwed fast or just fastened with a magnet? Or maybe with adesive tape?
What about MIDs or tablets or PMP with sone telephony functions?
NZ lawyers must prepare their pockets for a windfall.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2009 10:20AM]

nice police statue in Oulu, was there 3 years ago and love the small town....

[montusama Posted Sep 28th 2009 11:16AM]

maybe they should just make this simple, if your two hands are on the steering wheel and your looking at the road, you can use your cell phone in any way you please.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 29th 2009 12:53PM]

This picture is from Oulu, Suomi-Finland

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 29th 2009 1:49AM]

Wow, the New Zealanders are so lucky. Using mobiles for navigation in Victoria, Australia will soon be illegal... And other states would probably follow.