windshield suction cup mounts illegal in CA and MN

[sixto]

From www.garmin.com -

NOTICE TO DRIVERS IN CALIFORNIA AND MINNESOTA: State law prohibits drivers in California and Minnesota from using suction mounts on their windshields while operating motor vehicles. Other Garmin dashboard or friction mounting options should be used. Garmin does not take any responsibility for any fines, penalties, or damages that may be incurred as a result of disregarding this notice. (See California Vehicle Code Section 26708(a); Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section 169.71)

Sixto

[PatrickW]

I doubt if even the police know this.

I've been driving (in MN) with a radar detector suction-cupped to my windshield for about 10 years, and never heard of this before.

- Patrick

[G-Benz]

Has there been a rash of motor vehicle accidents in CA and MN as a result of the suction cup mounts dislodging and the now-projectiles knocking drivers unconscious?

[boneheaddoctor]

I think cell phone users have far worse distractions to focus on than a suction cup mounted radar detector.

[cmac2012]

I use a VW solar panel battery tender, about 14" x 10" that uses suction cups to mount to my windshield. I take it off when I drive. Even off to the side, it blocks a fair amount of the view.

[Wes Bender]

Does this mean I'll have to take my beer can holder off the windshield before I drive to CA next week?

[Impala]

Has there been a rash of motor vehicle accidents in CA and MN as a result of the suction cup mounts dislodging and the now-projectiles knocking drivers unconscious?

reminds me of those physics quiz back in school ... since the object is travelling at the same speed as the driver (and the rest of the vehicle), if it dislodges from the windshield it should just fall down towards the dash rather than hit the driver on the head... well assuming the vehicle is moving at constant speed.

but that law of banning suction cups on windshields is interesting and first time i heard about it.

[Palangi]

Originally Posted by cmac2012

I use a VW solar panel battery tender, about 14" x 10" that uses suction cups to mount to my windshield. I take it off when I drive. Even off to the side, it blocks a fair amount of the view.

I picked up one of those at a flea market (for a non-automotive purpose). It puts out about 4 watts. I wonder if that is enough to keep a big honkin' group 49 MB battery charged up? Are you using it on the MB or the Beemer?

[bhatt]

.. when I opened my new Garmin C320 and found (along with a cradle & suction cup) a 3" disc of some kind. It had peel off plastic on one side covering some double sided foam. I couldn't figure out why they gave me this weird plastic disc with self-stick foam on one side?!?!?

Turns out you are "legally required" in California to stick it to your dash and then stick the suction cup mount to this disc. That is how they get around the California law. Oh, and the disc is "permanently" affixed at that point and might cause dash damage if you try to remove it.

Hadn't heard of this law until I saw that slip of paper explaining it inside the package! Didn't surprise me one bit, though, knowing some of the CA restrictive laws on emissions and the like.

Neal

[sfloriII]

I was just driving behind some guy this morning in the DC area. I could see something attached to the inside of his windshield and wondered if it was a video camera to record his driving or something. I got up next to him and looked. It was some aftermarket GPS display. The thing was at least 6" wide and 4" tall. Not too big except that he had it stuck to the middle of his windshield blocking much of his view.

If it really is illegal in CA to have suction cups on the windshield it's 'cause of yahoos like him!!

[boneheaddoctor]

Well when you conside much of Cali thinks its fine to force the legal axpayers of the state to provide welfare, education and medicare to illegals...logic is not the strong point of that state.

[danwatt]

My friend had his license plate suction cupped to his rear window in his 1971 Mini Cooper. One day, we smelled something burning. Turns out the suction cup was acting like a magnifying glass for the sun and it burned a hole in the back seat. Neat, huh?