# Where do you put your phone when using it to navigate in a car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 14, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757 "2019-10-14T18:07:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/21 "2019-10-15T01:10:11Z")
I put the phone in one of the cupholders in the center console and then rely almost entirely on the verbal directions. Surely that’s not considered “distracted driving” even in whichever province in which **Northern Piper** lives? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/22 "2019-10-15T01:18:02Z")
Center dashboard, in a CD mount, with a wireless charger and Bluetooth link to my audio system. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/23 "2019-10-15T02:17:07Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > But what does “use” mean? Surely it’s not illegal to program in a destination before you start, and then passively follow the directions by looking at a mounted phone, provided you don’t mess with the phone while moving? Sure, you’re just setting up a playlist. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/24 "2019-10-15T02:32:36Z")
With my previous car, I would leave my phone sitting down by the gearshift where I couldn’t see it and just go by audible commands, which worked fine for me. Minnesota just passed some stricter distracted-driving laws, and my new car has built-in navigation, which I haven’t used because I don’t want to be distracted by the display. I’m assuming I can use the navigation without the display showing me where I’m going, but I don’t travel that much so it hasn’t been an issue yet. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/25 "2019-10-15T02:38:10Z")
On the passenger seat. Or the floor. Or between the seat and the console. Wherever I can delicately fish for it without disconnecting the USB cable and still keep my eyes on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/26 "2019-10-15T03:13:36Z")
In the same weird little console space it always occupies; I don’t need to see my phone to use it to navigate. I tell Siri to get me directions to someplace and she tells me when to turn, etc. as necessary. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/27 "2019-10-15T05:37:43Z")
If I’m navigating, I plug the phone into the radio and let Android Auto take over. The phone itself goes into a cubby between the radio and the heater controls. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/28 "2019-10-15T12:25:42Z")
My Jeep Wrangler has a perfect spot on the dash, just left of center. I have my suction mount epoxied there. Legal in my state. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/29 "2019-10-15T14:08:22Z")
I chose other. My car supports Android Auto. I plug in my phone, and if I need a map it shows up on the console. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/30 "2019-10-15T15:46:29Z")
In a cup between the two front seats. Not that it matters. I use the audio for navigation and don’t look at the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/31 "2019-10-15T15:51:50Z")
I bought one of those rubbery things used to attach the phone/GPS to bicycle handlebars, and strap it to the top of the steering wheel. I can flick my focus back and forth from the map to the road in an instant. Driving in NYC, you don’t want to take your eyes off the street long enough to look away for more than a second. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/32 "2019-10-15T17:47:32Z")
I have a little change storage slot to the left of the gearshift like the one in this picture: [https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2014-ford-focus-5dr-hb-st-gear-shift\_100435563\_l.jpg](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2014-ford-focus-5dr-hb-st-gear-shift_100435563_l.jpg) In there I attached a round magnetic mount, and glued a metal disc onto the back of my phone. So my phone rides happily there and I can look down at my right leg and see it. For navigation I can mostly pay attention to the voice cues anyway. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/33 "2019-10-16T01:29:11Z")
Center console cup holder and I navigate by the audio. If that is confusing, which it sometimes is, I’ll briefly hold it in my hand if my wife is not there to be a phone holder. ---
**Author:** ![txjim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f07891/32.png) [@txjim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txjim)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/34 "2019-10-16T02:31:54Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > In my pocket. In my province, it’s illegal to use a cell phone while driving. > > Poll is incomplete. After a recent vacation in Vancouver, Google keeps showing news items from the area. One item was concerning a woman who [initially received a ticket for keeping her phone in the cupholder](https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2019/10/02/vancouver-police-apologize-to-woman-ticketed-for-driving-with-phone-in-cup-holder.html). She ultimately had it dismissed with an apology (gosh, they really are polite up there!) My Hyundai supports Android Auto on it’s display so the phone stays out of sight. ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/35 "2019-10-16T03:51:40Z")
That would be an offence were I live too (Canberra). It has to be “securely mounted” to use. And naturally you can’t text, or fiddle about with apps, though it can be touched for navigation and call purposes. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/36 "2019-10-16T05:47:35Z")
I know where I’m going. Phone is on the table, next to the remote. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/37 "2019-10-16T06:56:15Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > In my pocket. In my province, it’s illegal to use a cell phone while driving. > > Poll is incomplete. I only navigate by cell when walking. Whether or not in a jurisdiction that bans hands-on cell usage, I navigate vehicles with a Garmin GPS clipped to a vent between the radio and steering wheel. The Android phone in a cargo pocket Bluetooths traffic updates to the GPS in my rare excursions into urban areas. I pity commute drivers. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/38 "2019-10-17T19:05:48Z")
In my province, distracted driving is constantly “in the news”. Using a cell phone while driving for any reason is a huge risk. I use the Garmin GPS, no one seems to get excited about that. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/39 "2019-10-17T20:57:43Z")
I put gps / mobile phones that use gps devices on the center dash in a sticky mount that does not allow them to slide off. Why: - I can see the screen clearly there, they do not block any other controls, they also don’t block my view of the road. - I don’t have to turn my head away from front-and-center. I can let my eyes dart to the screen occasionally, no more than the time it takes for a quick look at an instrument or gauge, so the information onscreen is not difficult to read. - I consider this location better than most built-in GPS screens, that are typically located lower and require you to look a much further distance from the road, resulting in longer times seeking the information. I turn off the audio because I find it really distracting. When I want the info, I will glance at the on-screen map. I don’t want a computerized voice randomly blurting out directions to me when I’m trying to drive (avoiding traffic dangers, watching out for right of way at intersections, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757/40 "2019-10-17T21:31:13Z")
(BTW, this question is biased towards cars with the steering wheel on the left side, such as mine.) Before this year, I just left it in a convenient slot in the center console, and used Android Auto on the car’s main screen. But then it became illegal to have a phone that’s not held in place with the screen facing me, so I got a mount for it. My mount is in a vent on the left side of the steering wheel, which is _not_ convenient (I’m right-handed and my USB ports / outlets are in the center console). I only put the mount there because the center vents didn’t have the correct shape for it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-put-your-phone-when-using-it-to-navigate-in-a-car/841757.md?page=3)