California forbids windshield suction cups...

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I didn't know that California forbids mounting anything to the windshield with suction cups, which I just learned from the instructions that came with my new Garmin GPS. Doesn't affect me, since I live in New York, but I also sent one of the units to my daughter in San Francisco, so I better tell her. Jeez, my 911 has both a GPS now and the Valentine suctioned to the glass...is this restriction well known in Cali? Do they actually ticket you for it?

[stout]

Never heard of it thus far and never heard of anyone getting a ticket for it, but sure sounds like a "governmental" way of eliminating radar detectors -- and we have some re-diculous laws out here.

But then, I guess they're all just one more way to say "Welcome to California!"

pete

[cak]

I've heard of this law over the past several years, but never heard of anyone being cited.

[Early_S_Man]

What do you want to bet that some Cali software company hasn't already been contracted to develop pattern recognition software for the ticketing pole cams???

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Ed at Excellence, that you Pete? Well, of course it is, now that I look at your signature...

[PCA7GGR]

Steve,

I got the same notice with my new Garmin Novi. So I mounted the suction cup on the windshield right above the velcro bridge toll "Fastrak" and then took note of how many other California drivers in the San Francisco Bay Area have suction cup devices mounted on their windshields. There are alot of Califonians either unaware or ignoring the "Suction Cup" law. The CHP and local police also seem to not to be too concerned about it.

[Zeke]

Unaware, that's the obvious. This was previously discussed in the various radar detector threads.

[therotman]

I've had a Sirius Radio receiver on my wifes car for 4 years with no problems. She even got a ticket for an illegal U turn and the cop didn't mention the suction cup. She also has no front place and illegal tints. I don't think anyone cares.

[84porsche]

Well, my suction cups failed on my radar detector after 4 years so I velcro'd the thing to the dash. Although, having velcro on the dash is unsightly, it's benefits outweigh the costs.

I used GooGone to remove the adhesive when I was changing the Velcro and it looks like it worked but left the dash dryed out so that is the only thing to worry about now and at least I am covered from tickets for a little while longer.

[stout]

Originally posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson
Ed at Excellence, that you Pete? Well, of course it is, now that I look at your signature...

Hey Mr. Wilkinson!

Tis me, indeed.

Shoulda made it "Editor@Excellence" as my Pelican handle seems to confuse people, as Wayne has reminded me multiple times...

Ah well, I prefer to keep a low profile anyway -- gives me more time to focus on getting those "unobtainable" exotic press cars.

pete

P.S. Did I mention I loved "The Gold-Plated Porsche"? If any of you still haven't checked out Steve's book, you owe it to yourself to do so as a car nut. It's entertaining and blows the lid off of what's fundamentally wrong with automotive journalism in this country. And then there's the C/D "runway redemption"...

[goat]

Wow didn't know. Have never been stopped for it tho

[tctnd]

Evidently the law wants wants an absolute monopoly on sucking.
regards,
Phil

[petevb]

It's a fix-it ticket. I had a friend get one for having a radar detector, which is legal, attached to the windshield. I guess it pissed the cop off, and so he wrote him up for it....

-Pete

[Por_sha911]

Originally posted by DavidI
(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(11) An electronic communication device affixed to the center uppermost portion of the interior of a windshield within an area that is not greater than 5 inches square, if the device provides either of the following:
(A) The capability for enforcement facilities of the Department of the California Highway Patrol to communicate with a vehicle equipped with the device.

No problem! That V1 of mine is a communication device that is enabling the CHiPs to communicate to me that I am approaching an area where the speed limit law is being electronically enforced.

[autobonrun]

So does that mean the inspection sticker the state places on windshields is illegal? I don't know about Cali but I recall the one for the State of Texas is huge. It's more of a distraction than my V1.

[rgrimm]

The law exists in Minnesota as well.

I was pulled over (slow night, and I think the officer and his ride-along just wanted to get a closer look at the '68). He actually told me if I had the visor clip I could continue to use the radar detector. But if not, he was sorry, but I'd have to take it down.

So it really is "attached to the windshield." Having the cord hanging down in your field of vision apparently doesn't mean a thing!

[dentist90]

I think the disclaimer I read in the fine print was " Suction Cups are known by the State of California to be carcinogenic"

[joe payne]

California, the capital of custom cars and everything is illegal! Very sad state of affairs.

[BeyGon]

It is against the law to drive with telephone stuck in your ear but I will see three people doing in on my 15 mile drive home.

[wastintime]

Sometimes I miss living in SC, we had a traffic cam up in Charleston for approximately 4 days... wrote one of the richest people in the city a ticket, and we never had to worry about them since... Although I guess I feel more strongly about this issue than most people... it's step 2 on a road to an Ayn Randian or THX 1138 society... possibly.