Unlike texting or talking on a cell phone while driving, a court of appeals rules that using a map app is OK under the law. February 27, 2014 6:05 PM PST Google Maps (left) and Apple Maps (right) on smartphones. (Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET) Chatting on the phone and texting while driving is illegal in California, but the law seems to still be catching up with technology when it comes to other aspects of smartphone use while on the road. A court of appeals has reversed an earlier court decision that ruled map reading on a cell phone was taboo under the law, according to the Associated Press. The 5th District Court of Appeal said that the law currently only applies to talking and texting on mobile devices and doesn't yet have legal language for app use. The case came about in January 2012 after Fresno resident Steven Spriggs got a ticket for checking his iPhone 4 map when he was caught in a traffic jam, according to the Associated Press. While he was searching for a better route on his phone, a California Highway Patrol officer stopped him and fined him $165. Related stories Google Maps charts the frozen home of the polar bear Nokia's Here Maps to expand to all Windows 8.1 devices Behold Google Street View's Taj Mahal imagery Google Map Maker expands to more corners of Europe Google opens Maps' new look for all After losing a challenge to the case in traffic court, Spriggs appealed the ticket to a Fresno County Superior Court. He lost again. Undeterred, he brought the case to the district court of appeals. The panel of appellate judges ruled in favor of Spriggs saying California law stipulates that "listening and talking" on cellphones without a hands-free device is illegal, but it doesn't specify other ways in which phone-use is unlawful, according to the Associated Press. While this is a clear win for Spriggs and he will be able to get back his $165, the case could be appealed by the state attorney general's office to the California Supreme Court.
Unlike texting or talking on a cell phone while driving, a court of appeals rules that using a map app is OK under the law.
Google Maps (left) and Apple Maps (right) on smartphones.
(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)
Chatting on the phone and texting while driving is illegal in California, but the law seems to still be catching up with technology when it comes to other aspects of smartphone use while on the road.
A court of appeals has reversed an earlier court decision that ruled map reading on a cell phone was taboo under the law, according to the Associated Press. The 5th District Court of Appeal said that the law currently only applies to talking and texting on mobile devices and doesn't yet have legal language for app use.
The case came about in January 2012 after Fresno resident Steven Spriggs got a ticket for checking his iPhone 4 map when he was caught in a traffic jam, according to the Associated Press. While he was searching for a better route on his phone, a California Highway Patrol officer stopped him and fined him $165.
Related stories
- Google Maps charts the frozen home of the polar bear
- Nokia's Here Maps to expand to all Windows 8.1 devices
- Behold Google Street View's Taj Mahal imagery
- Google Map Maker expands to more corners of Europe
- Google opens Maps' new look for all
After losing a challenge to the case in traffic court, Spriggs appealed the ticket to a Fresno County Superior Court. He lost again. Undeterred, he brought the case to the district court of appeals.
The panel of appellate judges ruled in favor of Spriggs saying California law stipulates that "listening and talking" on cellphones without a hands-free device is illegal, but it doesn't specify other ways in which phone-use is unlawful, according to the Associated Press.
While this is a clear win for Spriggs and he will be able to get back his $165, the case could be appealed by the state attorney general's office to the California Supreme Court.
