That`s because putting it on your windshield could violate traffic laws, as it says, “Windshields and windows MUST be kept clean and out of sight,” reports Somerset Live. There are no specific rules for the positioning of a navigation device or smartphone in the car, but the Road Vehicles Ordinance 1986 specifies that driving without a “full view of the road ahead” is a criminal offence. While it`s not technically illegal to place the device in the middle of the windshield, it could get in the way of your windshield and get you fined. Not only should you not attach your GPS to certain areas of your windshield, but there is only one place where you can legally place it. GEM Motoring Assist claims that drivers` ignorance on how to position navigation units, as well as the size of many modern systems, causes many motorists to drive with a very obscured view of the road. A Ministry of Transport (DfT) fact sheet on the subject met the standards followed when inspecting a vehicle`s MoT and divided the windshield into zones A and B. Zone A shall be a strip 290 mm wide above the centre of the steering wheel to the highest point reached by the windscreen wipers. while zone B is the rest of the windshield. It may be impossible to attach a navigation device or smartphone to a car windshield without breaking these rules, as very few devices have a diameter of less than 40mm. However, the Ministry of Technology`s test criteria also state that if an “obstacle does not obstruct the driver`s view of the road, the vehicle must pass [its MoT]. If it is only the driver`s view of the sky or bonnet, this should not be considered as a reason for refusal. You can only use a phone as a route if you have hands-free access.
Just like a GPS, your mobile phone should not block your view of the road. If you use your mobile phone as a navigation device, the same position rules apply as above. Some rules are clearer than others. For example, it is illegal to hold a mobile device to make phone calls while driving, unless it is an urgent emergency. But the rules are less black and white if you use a hands-free kit like a Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connection, the law simply stating “you must maintain full control of your vehicle at all times”. The Highway Traffic Act states that “windshields and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstruction of visibility.” Navigation devices have become indispensable for most drivers, whether for orientation in the city or for summer trips to discover the coast. However, there seems to be a lot of confusion among drivers as to where they should be legally placed in their cars. These inevitably have to be mounted on the windshield or dashboard, which raises the question of where it is safe and legal to position them. While the laws surrounding the positioning of navigation devices remain unclear, the use of a mobile phone as an alternative is relatively clear. Also, cell phones contain a lot of cables that can interfere with your vehicle`s controls, so you should avoid placing your phone high.
Instead, mount your phone on the dashboard or use the air vent bracket to keep your dashboard and windshield clear. After all, no more than two devices should be mounted on the dashboard or windshield. The devices must be spaced at least 150 mm apart. The law is clearer for wearable devices, with government guidelines stating that it is illegal to hold a phone or navigation system while driving. This includes stopping at traffic lights, queuing in traffic, and supervising a passenger driver. The best thing to keep in mind when positioning your GPS is to keep your windshield and direct line of sight completely clear. Here are some appropriate positions: The Highway Traffic Act states: “No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway if it is in such a position that it does not do so. have a complete view of the road and traffic in front of us.” There is no specific law regarding the location of a navigation device or phone holder, but as mentioned above, the Highway Code criminalizes driving in a position where your view of the road or traffic in front of you is obstructed. The windshield is the usual place where most drivers can put their navigation devices, but according to road traffic rules, windshields and windows must be kept clean and out of sight.
The amendments also criminalized texting, photos or using the internet while driving, but using a phone as a navigation device was not specifically prohibited, leaving a legal grey area. The best place to mount your GPS is in the lower right corner of your windshield. The lower it is and higher above, the less likely it is to obstruct your vision. “If possible, they should be mounted in the center or near the center of the windshield so that the view of both sides can be recorded. Highway Safety Officer Neil Worth commented that the safe place to place the windshield is “in the lower right corner of your windshield.” This suggests that it may be permissible to position a device larger than 40mm/10mm in the windshield if it is high enough or low enough to obscure only the dashboard or sky without affecting your view of the road. The Road Traffic Act 1988 makes it a criminal offence to drive in a position “which does not permit adequate control or a complete view of the road and traffic in front of it”. If the police think your GPS or phone holder is blocking your view, they can give you three penalty points. You could also be taken to court, where you could face a fine of up to £1,000 and risk a driving ban.
If there is no gap in the right corner, you should try to place the device as low as possible in the center of the windshield. Drivers are advised to be cautious when using a navigation device in their car, as there is only one place where it is legal. Navigation devices are a popular and useful technology used by millions of British motorists. They will be useful for drivers of older cars if these devices are not present. Similarly, they can also provide a better and more intuitive experience than some of the built-in systems used by manufacturers in their cars. However, motorists need to be more careful than they probably are to avoid a fine. Many GPS devices are charged via a 12V socket, usually located in the center console and connected via a micro-USB input. Motorists who are worried about using a smartphone navigation app in the car — and how best to position a phone or portable navigation device while driving — will have to do even more research and possibly find mixed messages, even from the police. Intuitively, you might then assume that you can place the navigation system in the middle of the windshield above the dashboard so that you can use the charger.
You should never mount a GPS or phone directly under your rearview mirror or in the middle of your windshield. Located so high, it will significantly obstruct your view of the road, causing particular problems at intersections and curves, making it harder to spot cyclists and pedestrians. Unfortunately, the law is not entirely clear here either. The 2003 update to the Road Traffic Act made it illegal to use a portable mobile phone, stating: “It will be or must be held at some point while you make or receive a call or perform any other interactive communication function.” GMP has confirmed that the ONLY legal place to place your GPS is the bottom right corner of your windshield.