handheld personal communication devices

[elbows]

Would the proposed Virginia bills make it illegal for a cyclist to look at the navigation app on their handheld phone while at a stoplight? Or is that already illegal?

https://www.thewashcycle.com/2019/01/virginia-considering-bill-to-regulate-dockless-bikes-ban-phone-use-by-drivers.html#comments

Topic

[accordioneur]

@elbows 186432 wrote:

Would the proposed Virginia bills make it illegal for a cyclist to look at the navigation app on their handheld phone while at a stoplight? Or is that already illegal?

https://www.thewashcycle.com/2019/01/virginia-considering-bill-to-regulate-dockless-bikes-ban-phone-use-by-drivers.html#comments

The bills specifically reference motor vehicles, and they allow operation while stopped, so I don’t think cyclists at stoplights have anything to worry about here.

[Emm]

@elbows 186432 wrote:

Would the proposed Virginia bills make it illegal for a cyclist to look at the navigation app on their handheld phone while at a stoplight? Or is that already illegal?

https://www.thewashcycle.com/2019/01/virginia-considering-bill-to-regulate-dockless-bikes-ban-phone-use-by-drivers.html#comments

It does not apply to bicycles since the actual text says “moving MOTOR vehicle”. And even if it did, it exempts navigation if the phone is mounted and the driver is stopped.

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
…..
4. The use of a handheld personal communications device for purposes of navigation or generating audio transmission, provided that such device is physically mounted to the vehicle and any data that must be manually entered by the operator is so entered while the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped;

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?191+ful+HB1811

[mstone]

@Emm 186436 wrote:

It does not apply to bicycles since the actual text says “moving MOTOR vehicle”. And even if it did, it exempts navigation if the phone is mounted and the driver is stopped.

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
…..
4. The use of a handheld personal communications device for purposes of navigation or generating audio transmission, provided that such device is physically mounted to the vehicle and any data that must be manually entered by the operator is so entered while the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped;

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?191+ful+HB1811

Navigation is exempted while moving, provided that it’s attached to the vehicle and you can’t enter data while moving. If the vehicle is stopped then the whole bill doesn’t apply.

No chance it passes anyway.

[Author]

Replies