Where Can I Safely and Legally Mount My Smartphone?

Is there anything you have ever wanted to know from Campbell Police Department? Well, this is your chance to ask. 

Patch has always strived to bring its readers all types of information and keep them updated on what is happening in their communities. It is with that in mind that we bring you our column, “Ask a Campbell Cop.” We'll be teaming up with the Campbell Police Department to answer your questions.

Whether you have a question about certain laws and how they might affect you, your family or friends, or how to stay safe in certain situations, we want you to ask them. Every week we will run two or three questions and give some answers.

To submit a question, email mayra.marcotte@patch.com or add it in the comments section below.

This week's questions from Campbell Patch readers were answered by Campbell Police Captain Charley Adams.

Q: I use my smartphone for navigation. I purchased a mounting kit for my car. Is it legal to put the mounting kit/smartphone: 

1. on my windshield, in the middle of the window – so it is above the dash but below the rear-view mirror or
2. on top of my dash, in the center?

I currently have the mounting kit crammed into a cup holder, but the setup is not secure. I feel it would be safer on the window/dash but am concerned about getting a ticket. Where can I safely and legally put this?

California Vehicle Code section 26708 lists where a portable Global Positioning System may be legally mounted in a motor vehicle. A smart phone being used as a portable GPS would fall under the same restrictions and may legally be mounted in the lower corner 7" square of the windshield furthest from the driver or the lower corner 5" square of the windshield closest to the driver if the system is used only for door to door navigation while the motor vehicle is being operated. 

The idea is to insure that there are no visual obstructions through the windshield for the driver while the vehicle is being driven. While there may be other areas of the windshield that could physically accommodate the GPS without visual obstruction, the Vehicle Code does not allow mounting the gps units in any other locations on the windshield. 

Read more "Ask a Campbell Cop" questions and answers here.

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