Holding your phone to check GPS while driving, now illegal in California

GILROY, Calif. (KION-TV) — A recent California court ruling is reshaping how drivers are allowed to use their phones behind the wheel, even when it comes to something as routine as checking directions.

The ruling stems from a case where a driver was ticketed for holding his phone while using a navigation app.

A state appeals court upheld the citation, making it clear: holding your phone, even for GPS, is now a violation of California’s hands-free law.

“Hands free is hands free. The intent behind the legislation is that drivers shouldn't be distracted. They should be focused on the roadway in front of them. Hence reducing crashes, reducing injuries and reducing deaths on our highways,” Captain Noel Coady said.

The California Highway Patrol is reminding drivers that manipulating or even briefly touching your phone while driving breaks the law.

“If you're holding, manipulating, touching in any way, shape or form, you're not hands free and hence a violation has occurred,” Captain Noel Coady said.

Some drivers in Gilroy say they’re already taking steps to avoid distractions behind the wheel.

“I think it's important to be hands free, but what I do is I just, put I do not disturb, like, on my phone,” Shelly Wilcox said.

“If I need directions, I voice it in ahead of time so I don't have to worry about doing that while I'm driving,” Pat said.

CHP officials acknowledge that many drivers rely on navigation apps, but emphasize the importance of using them safely.

“I don't think it's uncommon to see people using mapping apps. The majority of them do have them in fixed positions where they're, lastly, amount allowed to be utilized and mounted. Again, the problem, the distraction comes when we put something in our hands, that's drawing our attention away from the road,” Captain Noel Coady said.

“By hard mounting and fixing a phone inside the vehicle, it's providing for the safety that's behind the intent of the hands-free law,” Captain Noel Coady said.

Enforcement of the law can vary depending on the situation.

“It could be a written warning, or a citation or an arrest ultimately. So it varies with every single contact,” Captain Noel Coady said.

Ultimately, the law is aimed at keeping roads safer by minimizing distractions.

“Allow them to focus on the road ahead of them so that we reduce these crashes, reduce injuries, and ultimately reduce deaths on our highways,” Captain Noel Coady said.

The key takeaway for drivers: if your phone is in your hand, it’s not hands-free, and that’s a violation. Keep your phone mounted or use voice commands to stay safe and legal on California roads.