driving minor oregon
Can a minor listen to phone navigation instructions while driving in Oregon?
<p>If a minor set up (for example) Google Maps voice navigation while parked, then started driving (listening to the phone's instructions), then parked at the destination and turned the navigation off, would he be breaking any laws? Does &quot;using&quot; a device require interacting with it while driving? If I'm reading the relevant law (<a href="https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_811.507" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ORS 811.507</a>) correctly, if merely listening to a device that was already configured constituted using it, an adult could only listen to a radio if it could be controlled by voice.</p>

<p>Listening to navigation instructions coming from a phone would meet the definition of:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>(1)(e) “<strong>Using</strong> a mobile electronic device” includes but is not limited to using a mobile electronic device for text messaging, voice communication, entertainment, <strong>navigation</strong>, accessing the Internet or producing electronic mail.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The next section goes on to say that:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>(2) <strong>A person commits the offense</strong> of driving a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device if the person, while driving a motor vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public:</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>(b) Uses a mobile electronic device for <strong>any purpose</strong>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Later in section (4) it states &quot;It is an <strong>affirmative defense</strong> to a prosecution of a person under this section that the person:&quot;</p>
<blockquote>
<p>(b) Was <strong>18 years of age or older</strong> and was using a hands-free accessory;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Since your minor in question was using a portable electronic device for navigation, and due to their age cannot exercise the &quot;hands-free&quot; defense, it is logical to conclude that your scenario would be a violation of this statute.</p>
<p>Silly as it might seem, this apparently wouldn't preclude them from interacting with a permanently installed navigation unit while driving unless it was observed to be causing a distraction since (1)(d)(A) states:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Mobile electronic device” means an electronic device that is <strong>not permanently installed</strong> in a motor vehicle.</p>
</blockquote>
