A man in Canada has been fined for using his Apple Watch while driving

[csv8]

"A man in Canada has been fined for using his Apple Watch while driving, with police saying that using the device is no different to using a mobile phone.

Jeffery Macesin was using his new smartwatch, which was released to the public in the UK on 24 April, to change the music he was listening to while driving in Quebec.

Quebec Police pulled him over, and he was given four points on his licence and a fine of $120 (~$126AUD).

The Quebec Highway Safety Code prohibits drivers from using a hand-held device that includes a telephone function while on the move - since it's possible to telephone people with the Apple Watch, it falls under this law.

However, Macesin says that he hasn't broken any law - speaking to CTV News Montreal, he said: "It's not so much hand-held, it's a watch."

"It's on my wrist - and that's where it gets controversial. Is it, or is it not [hand-held]? I think this needs to be talked about."

The watch seems to be in a grey area in Quebec, and in other jurisdictions too - including the UK.

The watch connects to a user's iPhone via bluetooth, with calls being made via loudspeaker. In this respect, it functions like a bluetooth headset, which are legal to use while driving.

Since the watch was only released recently and no similar cases have occurred before, the legal decision on the watch's status is unknown.

However, as smartwatches become more popular, numbers of similar cases are likely to increase.

Macesin is contesting the ticket, and is considering talking to a lawyer to fight his case. "
My Comment : this is a grey area..Its not hand held..its wrist held ?? it will be interesting to see what the plods do here, fine you!!!! Canada's fine is $126 in Q its $351!!! revenue raising under the guise of road safety...

[joolz]

The laws will quickly be changed here to include any media/phone device.
You will have to place the watch in a cradle whilst driving!
Just glad we don't have cassettes anymore. Just imagine the distraction fast forwarding to find that favourite track....

[zilo]

I'll have to watch out when i'm eating my Big Mac after exitting the drive through...and holding the steering wheel with my knees...

Oh wait...that's legal.....

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by zilo

I'll have to watch out when i'm eating my Big Mac after exitting the drive through...and holding the steering wheel with my knees...

Oh wait...that's legal.....

I'm not sure that it is actually.

When I got my license in 1970 there were no such thing as mobile phones, but there were very strict laws regarding eating or drinking while driving. Maybe things have changed or have they just been relegated as being not important with the advent of mobile devices.

Strangely it was OK to use a microphone back then. Things like 2-way radios & CB radios were commonplace & the coppers weren't worried.

Dr Terry

[Sabantien]

Originally Posted by zilo

I'll have to watch out when i'm eating my Big Mac after exitting the drive through...and holding the steering wheel with my knees...

Oh wait...that's legal.....

$330 fine in Queensland! Inattention when driving. That would cover the iwatch too.

Pretty sure you you'd get another fine for not having hands on the wheel. If i recall correctly from my learners days you have to have a hand on the wheel even when stopped at an intersection.

Suspect these are rarely enforced.

[Rockape]

Whats next? Getting fined for looking at your normal watch

[malazn mafia]

So we arent the only nanny state in the world.

[Iggle Piggle]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

...Things like 2-way radios & CB radios were commonplace & the coppers weren't worried.

Are you still allowed to use 2-way and CB radio while driving these days or is that now outlawed too (with exception of emergency services)?

[Itsme]

Someone better warn Dick Tracy of this!

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by zilo

I'll have to watch out when i'm eating my Big Mac after exitting the drive through...and holding the steering wheel with my knees...

Oh wait...that's legal.....

It's not:

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/foo...-1226384136647

I remember not long ago witnessing an accident where a woman rolled her car about 6 times, flipping it end to end. Why?? Because she was having a drink of water, while drinking she hit the gravel on the side of the road, over corrected, lost control and at 110km/hr hit a culvert that flipped her car.

Very lucky to be alive. especially since a road train was coming the other way only just missing her as she was out of control.

[Craig@AUDI]

Originally Posted by trublu

Someone better warn Dick Tracy of this!

That's gold!!!

[pottery beige]

Should be fined for owning one

[ford71V8]

mmmmm

[zilo]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

It's not:

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/foo...-1226384136647

.

I wouldn't have let that one go easily.

I would have loved hearing a magistrate's opinion.

Oops..it's a Rupert Murdoch newspaper, must be a true story...

[MercurySilver]

won be long and people will be queuing up to get the rfid implant and then you can just think about changing songs and hey presto...track 3

[Itsme]

Been reported today in the Melbourne Herald & Sun newspaper victoria police will prosecute anyone caught using an apple watch phone.

Cheers.

[danzvtil]

From Vic roads, its not that hard.....google search result number 1.
Smart Watches

Smart Watches linked to phones or other devices may be configured in many ways. Many Smart Watch functions may be illegal if used whilst driving because they are included in the rules for using mobile phones or visual display units while driving.


Therefore drivers should refrain from using Smart Watches whilst driving a motor vehicle. In some limited circumstances, drivers may use them as long as they obey the normal restrictions in the Road Rules that apply to the use of mobile phones or visual display units. That is:

• The Smart Watch needs to be secured in a commercially designed mounting affixed to the vehicle (this may be unavailable) and used only as a drivers’ aid (for example, as a navigation device)
  AND
  
  
• If being used to make or receive phone calls:
  
  • does not require the driver to touch anything on the body of the Smart Watch (for example, making and receiving calls needs to be hands-free via Bluetooth or similar means)OR
    
    
  • is secured in a commercially designed mounting affixed to the vehicle (this may be unavailable).

If a Smart Watch has a phone function this may only be used by fully licensed drivers, as set out in the mobile phone road rules.

VicRoads recommends that drivers not use a Smart Watch whilst driving because they can be distracting; particularly if they take the driver’s eyes off the road, involve touching the device or require thinking about how to make the device functions work.

Plus all of the anecdotal stories of distracted drivers eating or drinking or doing their makeup, these people are breaking the law, if that action causes you to loose control completely or momentarily, in SA its called "driving without due care" and the fine will cost you your left nut, on top of the fine for the device you were using.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by trublu

Been reported today in the Melbourne Herald & Sun newspaper victoria police will prosecute anyone caught using an apple watch phone.

Cheers.

"victoria police will prosecute anyone caught using an apple watch phone". That makes Apple watch phones totally illegal then?

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

"victoria police will prosecute anyone caught using an apple watch phone". That makes Apple watch phones totally illegal then?

Maybe he meant to add "while driving"

Dr Terry

[LTDHO]

Sadly road users are getting dumber and pay less attention everyday.

Add a distraction and it's an accident waiting to happen.

People need to take the road a little more serious and have more respect.

On a side note: Ever walked behind someone on their phone?
They can't walk straight. It's scary that they do the same thing when in control of over 1 tonne of metal and plastic!

[zilo]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Plus all of the anecdotal stories of distracted drivers eating or drinking or doing their makeup, these people are breaking the law, if that action causes you to loose control completely or momentarily, in SA its called "driving without due care" and the fine will cost you your left nut, on top of the fine for the device you were using.

It's only an offence if it caused the collision.

I'll keep eating my Grand Angus, in fact I'm doing it right now.

I was chewing gum and walking down the street earlier too....

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by zilo

It's only an offence if it caused the collision.

I'll keep eating my Grand Angus, in fact I'm doing it right now.

I was chewing gum and walking down the street earlier too....

Im sure if an officer witnessed you swerving 10cm out of your lane without causing an accident, your still done. Without.Due.Care.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by zilo

It's only an offence if it caused the collision.

I'll keep eating my Grand Angus, in fact I'm doing it right now.

I was chewing gum and walking down the street earlier too....

steer with my knees, shift gears with my elbows whilst pulling billies and necking down an oporto bondi chilli chook burger

no time for a watch

[zilo]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Im sure if an officer witnessed you swerving 10cm out of your lane without causing an accident, your still done. Without.Due.Care.

Been driving 40 years, never caused an accident, got 12 demerit points left.

The coppers come in for their free maccas locally and I see them eating on the run as they drive off.

I guess some drivers can't drive, luckily your rules aren't in the reality that I roll around in....

[Iggle Piggle]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

steer with my knees, shift gears with my elbows whilst pulling billies and necking down an oporto bondi chilli chook burger

no time for a watch

I'm sure you have it all under control but I personally feel one hand on the shotty and the other on the lighter then pulling the drop cone is not the way to go about things.

In the interests of my own safety and the safety of those around me I only every blaze a joint while driving, which once lit leaves the other hand free to hold my beer, but I also appreciate not everyone is as concerned about road safety as myself.