Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
aperture
()
Date: July 23, 2014 11:21PM
I recently purchased a sort of mini tripod set-up for my phone and it works very well with my phone on the dash. Doesn't move, phone is secure, takes practically no space. Is this still technically legal to have on my dashboard to use as a dash cam? It is not in any way disrupting my field of view, but I'm no lawyer. The only issue I have so far, which can probably be overcome, is the fact that my phone can not but turned off or put into a locked state while recording. The screen as of now HAS to be on to record, making what I am recording visible to be on my dashboard. Could that be a distraction in the eyes of the law?
Is this legally kosher?
Sure, I would'nt use it all the time. Even with a 128GB SD card, long videos would eat it up in no time and cause pointless space waste. Just a curiousity.
Is this legally kosher?
Sure, I would'nt use it all the time. Even with a 128GB SD card, long videos would eat it up in no time and cause pointless space waste. Just a curiousity.
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
Cecil B Deville
()
Date: July 24, 2014 09:07AM
It is only legal to do this in Russia, China and Brazil which is why you see so many dash cam videos on YouTube and LiveLeak from those countries.
If you leave it on and running here in the USA practice this handy phrase over and over until you memorize it:
"AM I BEING DETAINED?!?!"
If you leave it on and running here in the USA practice this handy phrase over and over until you memorize it:
"AM I BEING DETAINED?!?!"
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
9D4ku
()
Date: July 24, 2014 01:29PM
it is perfectly legal
you can film anywhere in public, period
the above poster is just ignorant
you can film anywhere in public, period
the above poster is just ignorant
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
Henro
()
Date: July 24, 2014 02:04PM
The point is the distracting/impeding view of driver.
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
Ebktp
()
Date: July 24, 2014 02:17PM
Why bother when you can get very good inexpensive dash cams now which will work better and won't even be noticed?
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
iCam
()
Date: July 24, 2014 03:18PM
I do the same thing with my iPhone. I've got a suction cup mount attached to a bean bag mount that sits on center of the dash. Even when I don't have the phone mounted I leave the mount setup there. Also works great for Waze.
Had it there probably almost a year and no one has bothered me. No idea if it's legal or not.
Had it there probably almost a year and no one has bothered me. No idea if it's legal or not.
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
Hands free talking
()
Date: July 24, 2014 05:04PM
Why not just get a real dashcam? It's not like they're terribly expensive.
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
ggggg
()
Date: July 24, 2014 09:22PM
If you used a smartphone as a dash camera the screen would be showing the same image that you are seeing with your eyes. Not sure why that would be distracting.
---------------------------------------------
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by: Henro ()
Date: July 24, 2014 02:04PM
The point is the distracting/impeding view of driver.
---------------------------------------------
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by: Henro ()
Date: July 24, 2014 02:04PM
The point is the distracting/impeding view of driver.
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
Hip, Hip, Hippie
()
Date: July 24, 2014 09:55PM
Is there a problem officer?
I do NOT consent to a search of my car!!
I pay your salary, pig!
Am I being detained?
I know the law and you have no right.... Aaaaaaaaaaa let go of my hair, man!!!
Don't taze me bro!!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!
I do NOT consent to a search of my car!!
I pay your salary, pig!
Am I being detained?
I know the law and you have no right.... Aaaaaaaaaaa let go of my hair, man!!!
Don't taze me bro!!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
VA State Law
()
Date: July 25, 2014 12:37PM
Virginia
http://www.ce.org/Consumer-Info/Car-Electronics/Got-It/State-Laws-for-Electronics-Use-in-the-Car.aspx#43
Restrictions on Cell Phone Use for Novice Drivers
Video Screen Restriction
Ban on Texting while Driving
Law: Prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone.
Statute: Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-334.01
Penalties: No penalty specified.
Law: No television viewer, screen or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast can be located in the field of view of the operator of the vehicle.
Statute:Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-1077 (2008)
Penalties: No penalty specified.
Law: Prohibits operation of a motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth while using any handheld personal communication device to manually enter multiple letters or text or to read a text message.
Statute: 46.2 -1078.1
Penalties: Traffic infraction, fine $20.
http://www.ce.org/Consumer-Info/Car-Electronics/Got-It/State-Laws-for-Electronics-Use-in-the-Car.aspx#43
Restrictions on Cell Phone Use for Novice Drivers
Video Screen Restriction
Ban on Texting while Driving
Law: Prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone.
Statute: Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-334.01
Penalties: No penalty specified.
Law: No television viewer, screen or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast can be located in the field of view of the operator of the vehicle.
Statute:Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-1077 (2008)
Penalties: No penalty specified.
Law: Prohibits operation of a motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth while using any handheld personal communication device to manually enter multiple letters or text or to read a text message.
Statute: 46.2 -1078.1
Penalties: Traffic infraction, fine $20.
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
Ron Paul
()
Date: July 25, 2014 01:09PM
Hip, Hip, Hippie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is there a problem officer?
>
> I do NOT consent to a search of my car!!
>
> I pay your salary, pig!
>
> Am I being detained?
>
> I know the law and you have no right....
> Aaaaaaaaaaa let go of my hair, man!!!
>
> Don't taze me bro!!!!
>
> Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!
This is all fine, but you forgot to yell >>
RON PAUL 2016
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is there a problem officer?
>
> I do NOT consent to a search of my car!!
>
> I pay your salary, pig!
>
> Am I being detained?
>
> I know the law and you have no right....
> Aaaaaaaaaaa let go of my hair, man!!!
>
> Don't taze me bro!!!!
>
> Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!
This is all fine, but you forgot to yell >>
RON PAUL 2016
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
ed
()
Date: July 25, 2014 01:36PM
I consider myself a good driver. I've installed a dashcam to have the peace of mind that I can prove I'm right if something happens. The DC area is full of:
1. crazy drivers
2. moronic drivers
3. Drivers on the phone or texting
And, most importantly, all the combinations of 1,2 and 3 above.
Having the cam forces me to be a better driver. The dashcam records the outside and also the interior of the car. I can always prove I was not on the phone or distracted (hard to do without it). Luckily I havent had an accident in years but very often other drivers change lanes without looking. The videos can also be used as evidence in case I witness an accident ahead of me. Overall I would strongly recommend having a dashcam if you drive around this area.
1. crazy drivers
2. moronic drivers
3. Drivers on the phone or texting
And, most importantly, all the combinations of 1,2 and 3 above.
Having the cam forces me to be a better driver. The dashcam records the outside and also the interior of the car. I can always prove I was not on the phone or distracted (hard to do without it). Luckily I havent had an accident in years but very often other drivers change lanes without looking. The videos can also be used as evidence in case I witness an accident ahead of me. Overall I would strongly recommend having a dashcam if you drive around this area.
Re: Cell Phone as Dashboard Cam - Legal?
Posted by:
ed
()
Date: July 25, 2014 01:39PM
PS. i have it installed behind the rear view mirror so it does not obstruct my view. Also, it turns on and off with the ignition so I dont need to be turning on/off or setting it up everytime. Peace of mind.