Bill Description: House Bill 5 makes it illegal to use a GPS device while driving unless the device is hands-free.

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Does it directly or indirectly create or increase penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for nonviolent crimes? Conversely, does it eliminate or decrease penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for non-violent crimes?

House Bill 5 amends Section 49-1401A, Idaho Code, to say the "use of a global positioning or navigation system feature of a mobile electronic device" while driving is only allowed when it is used in a "hands-free" manner.

This change makes it illegal for someone to hold a GPS device in the hand while driving even if that person is not manually entering information into it. In addition to making a currently legal action illegal, this particular prohibition also has a discriminatory nature. People with newer, more expensive vehicles tend to have in-vehicle navigation systems while those who drive older, less expensive vehicles are more likely to rely on handheld devices for navigation.

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