Windows app locking software for vehicle in CA

Hi Y'all

Long time lurker here. Basically, I'm sticking a CF-19 in my work vehicle as a MDT for navigation and some other things (GIS and Mapping). However, the law here in CA is that the machine must be fitted with an interlock so that only navigation apps can be used when the vehicle is moving.

I'm one of those special people who have never received a moving violation, but somehow attract equipment code tickets for weird little things nobody else ever gets done for. As such, I need this to be legit, and not just "don't use other apps while driving".

So, what I'm looking for: Is anyone aware of a software application that allows you to lock down the PC to a certain app when it detects movement on a GPS, or an external signal (like a parking brake wire). I could also live with putting in a password to unlock the desktop (windows policy manager only allows a case by case unlock, not a "full" lock/unlock, hence why I'm asking for third party options).

Thanks Y'all!

 

If no one can come up with one you might want to post it here http://forum.notebookreview.com/forums/windows-os-and-software.15/ Leave out the make of the laptop in you first post or they will send you here again.

 

Here is a idea from the wonderous mind of Shawn.
Grab a second caddy and install Windows on a small SSD.
Then set it to autorun the navigation program upon Windows start.

You could probably install the nav program on Win PE instead of a full Windows install.

When you are done with vehicle use, swap out the caddy for the normal one.

 

What do every other vehicle in CA with a computer in them use? If this law does not exempt public safety apparatus then there's got to be some options for the thousands of computers running around in vehicles there.

 

Thanks all.

toughasnails: Thanks for that suggestion. Will I get yelled at if I were to go ahead and cross post there now?

Shawn: Thanks, but when I'm using it, I would be swtiching between "driving mode" and "stopped" mode every few minutes. That just wouldn't work for my use.

metallitera: I honestly don't know. I guess I could try to ask a utility company or something. Fire apparatus, police vehicles, and all public safety are exempt from the law, so no luck there.

 

No problem at all. Just put in at the start of your post that I sent you here . If I was you I would just post the 1st and 3rd paragraph. To long of a post and many might not read it. This is something I have found out over the years. We also could leave this thread here for another day and if no one can help you I will move the thread there for you...let me know.

 

I like the idea of leaving this thread here.
I am curious of the solution anyway.

 

I am wondering, do any such software or hardware interlocks have to pass some sort of inspection, be licensed or on a list of approved devices by the DMV or whatever agency? If an officer stops you, sees the computer and raises the question, he isn't exactly going to ride with you to see if the thing locks down into driving mode and might just give you a ticket anyway.

 

toughasnails: Thank you! I'll go ahead and do that.

ko-niner: I suspect I'm probably in good shape. I actually part-time over the summer in the wildland fire world, and law enforcement are relatively friendly with us. There are a lot of laws that get "bent" on firelines, and they don't really care unless it becomes an issue or actually causes harm to someone. As to if I actually got a ticket from one hardass cop, I've done "trial by written declaration" the two times a local cop wrote me a ticket for my amber lights (state guys don't care, actually encourage them - less bodies to clean off the road...) and both times the ticket was dismissed. So I'm sure I would just have to provide proof to the court that the interlock as installed and working, and it would get thrown out.

 

Do you use this in a dock? You could have a USB plugged into the dock and have it set to boot from USB. Thorn you would have to decide on what OS and program you wanted to run.

 

hmmm ...

many moon ago , my dad was a volunteer fire fighter .
he had a siren and lights on his vehicle ...
he kept a permit in the glove box that stated the "purpose and intent" of the devices .
i recall that we were stopped a few times in other states/towns and questioned about them ... dad would show them the permit .
one cop detained us while his dispatcher called our hometown ... much to the chagrin of his partner .
yep ... almost a half hour later we were *released* .

sure seems that a "permit" of some kind would ease your situation .

 

Is anyone able to point out this specific law? I've never seen such a thing, other than those that apply to tablets and phones in the "hands-free" device area. Seeing how the spirit of that law is meant to keep people's eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, I don't think they will give you any issues so long as you are using your navigation app in full screen and not playing with it while you drive, nor using your Toughbook for any other purposes while the vehicle is in motion. (The hands-free laws are meant more to stop people from text messaging and playing games while they drive so they don't cause accidents).

Where I work, I have my Toughbook mounted facing me in the driver's seat, and I have it going every day, (even for other purposes, such as responding to various calls and looking up information when I'm stopped). CHP, the strictest law enforcement agency in the state when it comes to traffic enforcement, hasn't even batted an eye in my direction when I have it open so long as it isn't distracting me. I've also seen numerous other companies working in other fields that do the same thing, and they even have their vehicles fleeted this way. (Think of SMUD and PG&E in northern California, as well as various other private businesses and construction companies that mount these in their work vehicles).

That being said, if you were doing something stupid like watching a movie or typing up an email while driving, or constantly playing around with your GPS settings while sitting at a red light, then they would probably be much more inclined to pull you over. Even if you went to court over having the program running while you drive, simply arguing that you had your navigation application running in full screen and playing audible cues while you drive, (without touching or watching it while doing so), would probably get you a free pass. (Now if you're swerving all over the road or speeding, that is a different story). If you're not running the navigation application, simply close your Toughbook and problem solved. Law enforcement tends to grant a courtesy to those that observe common sense and don't purposely disobey obvious laws. Especially when they have more important things to deal with or respond to, and don't want to sit there writing ridiculous tickets all day that will result in them going to court and losing.

Edit: Now that I think about it too, phones and tablets don't have ways to "lock" navigation apps in place while the vehicle is in motion unless downloaded as a third-party thing. They do the same thing by simply opening the program in full screen mode. As long as the phone or tablet is properly mounted in the vehicle and not played with while driving, it follows the hands-free laws. This only makes me believe further that your Toughbook should match the same thing. After all, it is just a different piece of similar technology being used the same, exact way.

 

Is CA = Canada or California?.

 

Wow, I feel dumb now. I didn't even think of that!

 

California.

Surgar:
The law is VC 27602. I won't quote the whole thing here as it's long, but a google search will return it. Since you mention utility companies, they are exempt.

Interesting you've never had any issues. This job involves being around law enforcement quite a bit, but they tend to relatively friendly with us (especially CHP of all agencies), so maybe I'll just risk the fine and see what happens.

I obviously have no intention of playing movies, games, or other non job related programs. And it would only even be in the car for a couple months of the year (fire season). It was more a "cover your behind" type of thing.

Thanks all, with the input of Sugar, I think I'll just install it and see what happens.

 

Here is the relevant California Vehicle code section:

27602. (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if a television
receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any
other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or
video signal that produces entertainment or business applications,
is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at a point forward
of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and the monitor,
screen, or display is visible to the driver while driving the motor
vehicle.
(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to the following equipment when
installed in a vehicle:
(1) A vehicle information display.
(2) A global positioning display.
(3) A mapping display.
(4) A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's
view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the
purpose of maneuvering the vehicle.
(5) A television receiver, video monitor, television or video
screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a
television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment satisfies one
of the following requirements:
(A) The equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor
vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a
visual display as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive.
(B) The equipment is designed, operated, and configured in a
manner that prevents the driver of the motor vehicle from viewing the
television broadcast or video signal while operating the vehicle in
a safe and reasonable manner.
(6) A mobile digital terminal that is fitted with an opaque
covering that does not allow the driver to view any part of the
display while driving, even though the terminal may be operating,
installed in a vehicle that is owned or operated by any of the
following:
(A) An electrical corporation, as defined in Section 218 of the
Public Utilities Code.
(B) A gas corporation, as defined in Section 222 of the Public
Utilities Code.
(C) A sewer system corporation, as defined in Section 230.6 of the
Public Utilities Code.
(D) A telephone corporation, as defined in Section 234 of the
Public Utilities Code.
(E) A water corporation, as defined in Section 241 of the Public
Utilities Code.
(F) A local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in Section
9604 of the Public Utilities Code.
(G) A city, joint powers agency, or special district, if that
local entity uses the vehicle solely in the provision of sewer
service, gas service, water service, or wastewater service.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal
installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle
providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.
(d) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal
installed in a vehicle when the vehicle is deployed in an emergency
to respond to an interruption or impending interruption of
electrical, natural gas, telephone, sewer, water, or wastewater
service, and the vehicle is owned or operated by any of the
following:
(1) An electrical corporation, as defined in Section 218 of the
Public Utilities Code.
(2) A gas corporation, as defined in Section 222 of the Public
Utilities Code.
(3) A sewer system corporation, as defined in Section 230.6 of the
Public Utilities Code.
(4) A telephone corporation, as defined in Section 234 of the
Public Utilities Code.
(5) A water corporation, as defined in Section 241 of the Public
Utilities Code.
(6) A local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in Section
9604 of the Public Utilities Code.
(7) A city, joint powers agency, or special district, if that
local entity uses the vehicle solely in the provision of sewer
service, gas service, water service, or wastewater service. __________________

 

I have an idea.

Set up the drive as dual boot.
The GPS side will be Linux that is configured for GPS only. That should not be too hard to do.
Then have the Windows side for everything else.
All you need to do is a quick reboot to switch between GPS and normal computing.

 

"27602. (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if a television
receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any
other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or
video signal that produces entertainment or business applications ..."

arguably , because of the lack of the definition of "business applications" , one could say that gps and other similar displayed information are not business applications in the context of this particular use .
the vehicle is deemed an emergency vehicle by it's intended use as such when responding to a *call* .
the key here is context .
a vehicle that is painted bright yellow-green , with exempt plates and has a couple hundred feet of fire hose and such equipment on it is commonly known as a "fire truck" .
this however does not prevent it from being driven to a store to pick up a loaf of bread ...
it is left to the individual driving the vehicle to determine if what is being done while he is operating the vehicle is indeed "primary function as intended" .
if the vehicle is operated in a manner contrary to "primary function" then the driver and any displays are exempt from "emergency" status .

a simple way to do this might be to close the lid and power down the machine .
it is up to the law enforcement agency to prove that you were actually operating the device while "moving" .
further , while moving in response to a call , you are technically an emergency vehicle , duly authorized to use the devices needed to respond in an efficient and safe manner in the execution of said call response .

the law itself is missing a crucial point of including "fire response vehicles" in a specific manner .
perhaps there is another code that is used to define them ?
if this is all there is , then it is a "gray area" and should/could be considered under "spirit of the law" when nothing clearly defined is involved .
you might want to have your agency research this ... it may be possible that if there are no specific rules that you can get a permit that exempts you as defined by the intended use of your vehicle .

 

Some locals got into a bit of trouble over this. Coming back from a call, they stopped at a quicky store for something.
Nearby was a beer distributor with an empty parking lot. So the parked the fire truck in front of the beer distributor.
The photo sure appears like they took the rig for a beer run.

 

At this point, I'm just going to install it and see what happens. It's only a $35 fine and no points if I were to loose a court case anyway. Like I said, I have no intention of being dumb with it.

But since people are still posting, some clarification.

I'm not an emergency vehicle. My vehicle is a private vehicle with non-exempt plates (they are press plates, but those don't give any special privileges). I'm a certified wildland firefighter, but I don't work for an agency. I actually freelance as a press photographer over fire season for the big fires here in CA. If you look at the news photos from inside the huge fires CA gets every year, there is a fair chance it's my name in the photo credit. The Laptop will be for both GPS (in the past I used my phone) for looking for routes around inside fires (when the smoke gets caught under a thermal layer, visibility is measured in feet and finding roads is impossible), MODIS thermal mapping, and general stuff (emailing editor, checking weather radar, etc).

I appreciate the suggestions to dual boot, but it's not really practical to reboot just to check MODIS or pull up the rig order. Even then, I'm not even sure that would count as a "interlock" since you could reboot it while driving.

 

HERE'S WHERE A LOCAL KID USED A TRUCK FOR THE PROM.
Sorry caps lock

 

I'll bet the Pavement Queen there has a T.V. I know the ones in CA have them.

Pavement Queen is the big red thing in the background.

If you break the vehicle code down with arrows and pointy lines saying what sub-section refers to what, and you leave the wide screen t.v. home, you will PROBABLY not be bothered for doing reasonable and prudent tasks with the laptop.

If you (any person) do something other than reasonable and prudent then you have a citation coming.

Now lights are another thing....they can be dangerous.

When I was 17 on my first fire call along the Klamath River, my foreman pulled up behind a retired couple moseying along. He backed off a little and said "Watch this". When he hit the siren the driver looked in the mirror and slammed on the brakes.

I don't know how many times I advised the dispatcher that I was reducing to code 2 because of traffic. The advisement was so I was covered if I got in a wreck....IOW if you are dispatched code three, you better be code three, if you are involved in a crash. And no, I was never in a crash while driving a fire truck. (32 years)

 

For all intents and purposes, as long as you are only using it for GPS and mapping, and you have nothing else visibly open while the vehicle is being operated, you could argue that you are exempt under subdivision b, paragraph 2 and subdivision b, paragraph 3. Now if you had something else open, or you made the mistake of pulling up your email while operating the vehicle, then you're going to be in some hot water with law enforcement if they stop you.

Remember, common sense is often a determining factor when our local cops decide to take action or not. As long as you're not doing something stupid, they'll more than likely leave you be.


As for emergency vehicles, the chances of an officer stopping another emergency vehicle for this type of violation is very rare. Not only does it go against the spirit of the law, but most officers know that the District Attorney or any traffic judge would throw out any fines or arrests that resulted from emergency service personnel being stopped for this in their designated emergency response vehicle. The emergency service employee would have to really be creating a serious danger to the public before it would even be a consideration. (Think about all the times you get stuck behind a cop car that is swerving within its lane because of an officer trying to look up information while responding no-code to a call, but doesn't cause an accident or go over the line. While not good practice nor safe by any means, it hasn't become a significant enough danger yet for other officers to take action, whether administrative or fine-based).

That being said, if you are dumb enough to mess around with your system on duty, doing something you aren't supposed to, I'm fairly certain your supervisors will not be happy about it when they find out, and a small fine will be the least of your worries. However, if you are in the right and using the system as part of your job, someone else's supervisor may be stepping in to chew the stopping officer out.


If anyone here is actually using common sense and gets stopped while using their system purely for GPS/mapping purposes, please, for the love of everything that is decent in this world, (of which there isn't much left), be polite to the officer. Simply explain the situation and tell them why you believe you are exempt. Don't make excuses, and don't argue with them. Just apologize and tell them why you are doing what you are doing. Nine times out of ten, they'll let you go with a warning, or they'll completely understand and just ask you to continue driving safely. Don't be that guy and end up in the back of the officer's patrol car for pretending to be a lawyer, and trying to pick a fight so you get out of a ticket.

 

This is the first thing I thought of!

But I would just run it normally! I doubt a cop would ticket you unless you get into an accident while playing a video game!