A new law effective January 1, 2004 bans the use of laptop computers in the front seat of a car. It applies to a laptop being used by a passenger in the car, but it excludes most devices used for mapping or navigation.
A Slashdot reader asked why it should be illegal to have his wife use a laptop in the passenger seat to connect to MapQuest for directions. The best response noted that such a thing would violate the Male Code: “Rule 387: Never admit to your wife that you are lost or need directions. You know exactly where you are, and even if it does not appear that you are going anywhere useful, you are certain that you haven’t passed that building twice already.”
