What is the purpose of requiring that? Why not just use Android Auto or Car Play by plugging in your phone?
The Legal Reason - At the end of the day, I am erroring on the side of making sure that the LEO (even the less bright ones) have NO DOUBT that the actual mobile device was not in my hands (hands free).
Personalized cockpit arrangement for the way I pilot - Use of mobile device for other reasons while driving (apps access and such). For example, I might want a different map / trail app on the phone while off road. I have the big screen on the dash and have the phone on uniconnect. I find that having two different displays for some applications is very useful.
CA Law (overview - not the actual verbiage of the Vehicle Code)
Using mobile phones while driving is regulated by California Vehicle Code,
Division 11: Rules of the Road, Chapter 12: Public Offenses, Article 1: Driving Offenses; Sections 23123 to 23125.
California Distracted Driving laws summary:
- In California drivers are not allowed to use mobile phones for calling, nor reading or writing text messages while driving on a public road.
- Drivers may use cell phones for texting or calling in case they have a hands-free system installed.
- All drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using phones even with a handsfree system.
Without hands-free capability, legally you can use mobile phones while driving if you are on private property, or in case of an emergency call to law enforcement or other similar service.
California’s definition of a hands-free system states that a phone must be mounted on windshield or dashboard in a way that doesn’t hinder the driver’s view of the road, and the driver’s hand must be able to activate or deactivate it with a single swipe or tap.