GPS units OK, blocking view not
Question: I have a GPS unit with a suction cup that attaches to my windshield. I have heard that it is not legal to use these in Minnesota, is this true?
Answer: It is not illegal to use GPS units in Minnesota. In fact most women would probably endorse the use of such devices by men as we apparently will not ask for directions. OK maybe we shouldn't go there! What could be considered illegal is the manner in which you have it set up in your vehicle.
Statute 169.71 sb 1 (2) states that a person may not operate any motor vehicle with “any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than sun visors and rearview mirrors and electronic toll collection devices.” In addition, statute 169.37 in part states that no person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides.
Now for Trooper Andy's translation! If a person has the GPS unit suspended by suction cups anywhere forward of the driver's nose, it would be a violation of 169.71. However, if the unit were mounted on the dash (not suspended) in such a manner that it did not obstruct the driver's view then it would NOT violate 169.37 and therefore would be legal.
I will offer this piece of advice for those who use GPS units for directions when traveling. I do not know how often the GPS maps are updated, but I do know that every now and then communities will change street names and/or travel directions. As in, sometimes two-way streets are changed to one-way streets so before blindly following the units directions make sure you are not doing something dangerous or illegal. If a driver tells an officer that he was just following the units instructions to turn west-bound onto 4th Avenue, and three months ago 4th Avenue was changed to an east-bound traffic only street, the officer may point out that it is the driver's responsibility to drive the vehicle not the GPS unit's. As I always say, BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Andy Schmidt- Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205
Answer: It is not illegal to use GPS units in Minnesota. In fact most women would probably endorse the use of such devices by men as we apparently will not ask for directions. OK maybe we shouldn't go there! What could be considered illegal is the manner in which you have it set up in your vehicle.
Statute 169.71 sb 1 (2) states that a person may not operate any motor vehicle with “any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than sun visors and rearview mirrors and electronic toll collection devices.” In addition, statute 169.37 in part states that no person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides.
Now for Trooper Andy's translation! If a person has the GPS unit suspended by suction cups anywhere forward of the driver's nose, it would be a violation of 169.71. However, if the unit were mounted on the dash (not suspended) in such a manner that it did not obstruct the driver's view then it would NOT violate 169.37 and therefore would be legal.
I will offer this piece of advice for those who use GPS units for directions when traveling. I do not know how often the GPS maps are updated, but I do know that every now and then communities will change street names and/or travel directions. As in, sometimes two-way streets are changed to one-way streets so before blindly following the units directions make sure you are not doing something dangerous or illegal. If a driver tells an officer that he was just following the units instructions to turn west-bound onto 4th Avenue, and three months ago 4th Avenue was changed to an east-bound traffic only street, the officer may point out that it is the driver's responsibility to drive the vehicle not the GPS unit's. As I always say, BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Andy Schmidt- Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205
posted by gab admin at 9:51 AM 
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