Is it really safer to be driving around with a map and a post-it note with some hastily scibbled directions, or, to have a Garmin StreetPilot on your dash? Why just yesterday I was driving home when, without warning, the women in front of me slowed to a stop - at a green light - in the middle of traffic - to look at her directions to decide if she needed to turn right or not. We drivers were all able to stop to avoid ramming this lost women in her absurd SUV (c'mon folks, who really needs this vehicle in 95% of the nation? wasting gas, taking 2 parking spaces, etc...)

I love my Garmin, and it has prevented this sort of thing from happening for many. If it was playing the latest CNN feed or Star Trek re-runs the other drivers would be in peril, but alas, it simply shows me (and speaks to me) about when to turn. I was not aware this was (possibly) illegal here in CA. It appears it may be according to this article from Wired.