Will it never end? Satnav clampdown
Discussion
"They came for the.... but I didn't say anything..."
So now, although "Drivers using satellite navigation systems incorrectly are not a significant contributor to casualty statistics" (ie. we've never seen any accident caused by them), we are faced with a clampdown. Northampton police have already removed all theirs from their cars. A 21-year old law will be used as the excuse to target drivers with satnavs on their windscreens. The whole "swept area" of the windscreen must be clear in order to comply. I wonder why tax disk holders are exempt? Perhaps they're not. Of course, the justification for all this is the danger to... wait for it.... children.
Why not just treat drivers as adults who will not do stupid things like set up their satnav where it blocks their view of the road? I'm sure this "advisory approach" will turn nasty as soon as they find they have another means to issue the FPNs. It's something that cameras could catch as well, especially those currently monitoring buslanes and box junctions, where the cash goes to the council.
So now, although "Drivers using satellite navigation systems incorrectly are not a significant contributor to casualty statistics" (ie. we've never seen any accident caused by them), we are faced with a clampdown. Northampton police have already removed all theirs from their cars. A 21-year old law will be used as the excuse to target drivers with satnavs on their windscreens. The whole "swept area" of the windscreen must be clear in order to comply. I wonder why tax disk holders are exempt? Perhaps they're not. Of course, the justification for all this is the danger to... wait for it.... children.
Why not just treat drivers as adults who will not do stupid things like set up their satnav where it blocks their view of the road? I'm sure this "advisory approach" will turn nasty as soon as they find they have another means to issue the FPNs. It's something that cameras could catch as well, especially those currently monitoring buslanes and box junctions, where the cash goes to the council.
Company Car Driver said:
Warning on sat-nav systems stuck to your windscreen
04 October 2007
Vehicles with aftermarket satellite navigation systems fitted to their windscreens may contravene laws designed to ensure drivers have a clear field of vision.
One police force has already instructed its staff to remove all such systems from its vehicles.
The concerns stem from what interpretation to place on a 21-year-old law - The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Act 1986 – which states that vehicles must provide a clear view of the road ahead.
Ray Adkins, head of transport at Northamptonshire Police, explained that while the issue was still being investigated, the force had taken the precautionary decision to remove objects such as sat-nav systems.
“We have said that these must not be fitted in any of our vehicles,” he explained.
“The legislation says the swept area of the windscreen must be kept clear.”
Mr Adkins advised companies concerned about the legality of sat-nav systems and any other potential obstructing items fitted to the screens of their vehicles to carry out a risk assessment for each vehicle.
The consequences, he pointed out, could be very serious.
“If a child steps out from behind a parked car and the driver’s view is obstructed by the system or any other item, the driver may not see the child as quickly, may brake later and the injury to the child may be worse.”
Chief Superintendent John Millar, of Northants Police, said that while his force had removed their sat-nav systems, they would take an ‘advisory approach’ with members of the public.
“Drivers using satellite navigation systems incorrectly are not a significant contributor to casualty statistics,” he said.
“But drivers should always make sure they put the satellite navigation systems in positions that do not impair their ability to drive or obstruct their view.”
His view was echoed by senior solicitor and specialist road traffic and regulatory lawyer Philip Somarakis, who said: “While the regulations are clear that it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that there is a full, clear view of the road ahead, what we are saying is that motorists should take a commonsense view of the regulations.
“If motorists are sensible about where they place their sat-nav in the screen, they should not encounter problems.”
The new Highway Code, which was published last week, also contains a reference to new technology: “There is a danger of driver distraction being caused by in-vehicle systems such as satellite navigation systems,” it warns.
04 October 2007
Vehicles with aftermarket satellite navigation systems fitted to their windscreens may contravene laws designed to ensure drivers have a clear field of vision.
One police force has already instructed its staff to remove all such systems from its vehicles.
The concerns stem from what interpretation to place on a 21-year-old law - The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Act 1986 – which states that vehicles must provide a clear view of the road ahead.
Ray Adkins, head of transport at Northamptonshire Police, explained that while the issue was still being investigated, the force had taken the precautionary decision to remove objects such as sat-nav systems.
“We have said that these must not be fitted in any of our vehicles,” he explained.
“The legislation says the swept area of the windscreen must be kept clear.”
Mr Adkins advised companies concerned about the legality of sat-nav systems and any other potential obstructing items fitted to the screens of their vehicles to carry out a risk assessment for each vehicle.
The consequences, he pointed out, could be very serious.
“If a child steps out from behind a parked car and the driver’s view is obstructed by the system or any other item, the driver may not see the child as quickly, may brake later and the injury to the child may be worse.”
Chief Superintendent John Millar, of Northants Police, said that while his force had removed their sat-nav systems, they would take an ‘advisory approach’ with members of the public.
“Drivers using satellite navigation systems incorrectly are not a significant contributor to casualty statistics,” he said.
“But drivers should always make sure they put the satellite navigation systems in positions that do not impair their ability to drive or obstruct their view.”
His view was echoed by senior solicitor and specialist road traffic and regulatory lawyer Philip Somarakis, who said: “While the regulations are clear that it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that there is a full, clear view of the road ahead, what we are saying is that motorists should take a commonsense view of the regulations.
“If motorists are sensible about where they place their sat-nav in the screen, they should not encounter problems.”
The new Highway Code, which was published last week, also contains a reference to new technology: “There is a danger of driver distraction being caused by in-vehicle systems such as satellite navigation systems,” it warns.
Edited by Peter Ward on Friday 5th October 14:48
Raify said:
RichBurley said:
Erm, they're the same image - they are both called screen.jpg, and they are identical
I didn't need to take a second picture, as the offending sticker that "ingresses into the swept area by more than 40mm" is hidden by the rear view mirror.I recall "in the old days" that Triplex Zebrazone Toughened Windscreens (remember them?) had a sticker in exactly that spot advertising themselves.
I guess it's true that some people do place their satnavs in bad locations that cause blind spots. In these cases I have no problem with them being dealt with. But to impose a rule relating to the area swept by wipers without having any regard for whether that causes a blindspot is missing the point. It's like, oh I don't know, prosecuting for holding a phone instead of the effects of it
I like my TomTom as well. The 910 is best (I had a ONE and a 510 previously) because it reads out road names and numbers which makes huge difference. I didn't think it would until I tried it and I wouldn't be without this feature now. Of course this is now filtering down the range and is available in other makes too, but do go for it if you can.
BTW, my sucker is within the swept area, but overall both the mounting and unit are within the bonnet area of my field of view. Considering this to be a visibility hazard is just plain daft. I think the reason why this area is now considered to be "swept" is that in the old days car windscreen wipers parked quite high up the screen, but now they park right down below the rear edge of the bonnet for aerodynamic reasons. On an old car the positioning of my TomTom would probably pass such a "swept area" test. The law needs to be updated before being used for stuff like this, or the police will lose respect for enforcing something that's clearly based on historic car design that has been superceeded.
BTW, my sucker is within the swept area, but overall both the mounting and unit are within the bonnet area of my field of view. Considering this to be a visibility hazard is just plain daft. I think the reason why this area is now considered to be "swept" is that in the old days car windscreen wipers parked quite high up the screen, but now they park right down below the rear edge of the bonnet for aerodynamic reasons. On an old car the positioning of my TomTom would probably pass such a "swept area" test. The law needs to be updated before being used for stuff like this, or the police will lose respect for enforcing something that's clearly based on historic car design that has been superceeded.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff