In North Carolina, the no-texting law was intentionally designed to only ban forms of written communication - text messages, e-mail, instant messages - where there was a recipient on the other end. It is discussed in the law that it allows other forms of typing that do not have a communicative aspect; GPS and searching for a phone number are mentioned, but I would speculate that camera, music, etc. would also be legal for drivers over 18.
Our law does specifically say "mobile telephone" so I guess if you have an e-mail device that does not have a phone on it then you are golden - where are you, Palm? But if you try that and get busted you are on your own. :) Definitely all this only applies in NC; I know some states have much stricter laws, though I don't travel enough to say which. -Tim who did not type this while driving past Wilton's house On Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 6:03 PM, R A Bennell <b...@mts.net> wrote: > Well, my car is in the garage for the duration of the cold weather so not > much to do on it for a bit. I did buy a new set of H4 headlights for it and > will install them come spring. May even go the route of relays and higher > wattage bulbs if the H4's that I have are not a significant improvement. > > I have other issues too like seats that are disintegrating but again, that > may have to wait for some warmer weather. > > I did look up the local statute and regulations to see if it will likely > pose a problem to use my cell phone camera. I "suspect" that I may get away > with it so long as I have my Bluetooth doodad on the visor so I can show an > officer that I do have the ability to use it hands free. The regs say one > cannot even look at or hold the phone but I am guessing that I can just tell > them I was checking the battery level or checking to see if it was actually > on, and will get away with it. > > Not sure what they might say about the camera issue. The regs do not say > anything about the use of cameras but do say you cannot use a device that > includes a cell phone. > > Randy > > On 13/01/2011 4:45 PM, Gerry Archer wrote: >> >> Having lived for 65 years in what may be the most corrupt state in the >> U.S.; (Since 2000 Florida had the most, [729], federal corruption >> convictions of any state with second place New York far behind with only >> 633); we Floridians don't necessarily obey onerous laws to the letter. We >> find ways to avoid them. >> For example, a friend who is a sales rep frequently gets calls from >> customers while he's driving. >> When he was driving through counties that had the "no cell phone" law, he >> would put his cell phone between two pieces of bread and hold it up to his >> ear. The single time a cop stopped him, he dropped the bread slices and the >> cell phone on the floor and picked up a real sandwich. >> The conversation went something like this: >> "You were talking on a cell phone and that is illegal while you are >> driving." >> "I was eating a sandwich." >> "Why did you have it up to your ear?" >> "So I could see where I was going." >> "Where is the sandwich?" >> He picked up a real sandwich which had a bite out of it. >> "Where is your cellphone?" >> He pretended to look for it and then retrieved it from the floor. >> The cop went back to his car and apparently called headquarters. >> "You can go.", said the cop. >> That was the only time he was stopped, and he won't have that >> problem again since he bought a new car which has a >> built-in microphone and speaker. >> >> Perhaps you can cut a hole in a slice of bread for the lens, >> Randy, and use your cellphone camera the same way. >> Of course, if you were a lawyer in Florida you would have >> nothing to worry about since cops never ticket lawyers unless >> they're blind drunk or politicians in a different party than the >> sheriffs or chiefs. >> >> I saw in the "sheriffs list" in the local paper where a woman had >> been arrested for carrying a concealed weapon because she had >> one of those little "pepper spray" cannisters in her purse. >> Interesting. >> Gerry >> Note: Actually I prefer to lurk and simply enjoy the OT and >> benefit from the descriptions of Mercedes fixes, but for some >> strange reason our old Mercedes are running well and no one >> has any OT to talk about. Maybe it's a good omen; or bad? >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> From: "R A Bennell" <b...@mts.net> >>> >>> So, to start with, I know, I am a lawyer so why am I asking you folks?? >>> I don't know and am wondered if any of you might know is the basic >>> answer. >>> Anyone actually look at the laws, regulations, whatever, that impose the >>> fines for use of cell phones in your jurisdiction? >>> >>> The reason I ask is that my cell phone has a camera in it and I sometimes >>> use it to take photos while driving if I see something interesting. It >>> occurred to me recently, that this is probably no longer acceptable. If an >>> officer sees me with the phone in hand, I am going to get the ticket and I >>> doubt he has to prove I was actually phoning someone. The phone company >>> should be able to provide evidence that I was not on a call at that time but >>> that might not be sufficient to get one off - and one would have to waste >>> the time going to fight the ticket which would cost more than the ticket. >>> >>> Then the question arises - is using a digital camera instead any >>> better? I am guessing that the law says one is not to use electronic >>> devices rather than "cell phones". >>> >>> Randy >>> > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
