01-06-2004, 03:00 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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California Beefs Up Bans On Screens In The Front Seat
http://www.itsa.org/resources.nsf/Files/AB%20301-chaptered/$file/AB%20301-chaptered.pdf
Existing California law already prohibits television screens from displaying video in the front seat while the vehicle is in motion. "This bill would recast this prohibition and, additionally, would prohibit any person from driving a motor vehicle if a video monitor, or a video screen, or any other, similar means of visually displaying a video signal that produces entertainment or business applications..."
I've seen a lot of posts on the internet about this recently and not sure what the big deal is. They specifically exclude GPS/directional applications. I doubt an MP3 player would qualify as the controls for that or "digital controls" on a Pocket PC are usually less complex than those of a car radio on your dash board - especially one that is voice controlled.  Adobe Reader required to read the above link.
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01-06-2004, 04:42 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 713
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My reading of this is that it would be illegal to operate a laptop in the front passenger seat while someone else is driving. Likewise, it sounds as though playing a Gameboy in the front passenger seat would also be illegal.
Noticably absent is the restrictions on applying makeup or shaving while driving, both of which I saw on my daily commute this morning. :wink:
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01-06-2004, 04:49 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 106
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Don't get me wrong here... I am not advocating the use of watching TV while driving, so in principle, I think this is a good idea, and I'm all for making it against the law. However, I find it funny that the lawmakers apparently think this is a HUGE problem, while (at least according to my observations while driving to work) shaving, applying makeup, or reading a newspaper... all while driving, mind you... are all apparently completely acceptable actions, which don't present any danger or are in any way cause for alarm.
...and don't even get me started on cell phone use. How the $&@% did we get to the point where being cut off from a telephone for 30 seconds was enough to initiate a panic attack? If subdermal (as in, surgically implanted) cell phones were introduced tomorrow, there'd no doubt be millions of people fighting to be the first to go under the knife. Yet, how many of these cell-phone-junkies actually think to go out and buy a $20 (or less) headset? People who can't even figure out how to operate the three-position turn indicator lever, somehow think they can operate a 2000 lb. vehicle (one handed) and simultaneously operate an electronic instrument with over a dozen buttons. People who can't even concentrate on walking while on their cell phone, somehow think that operating a car at 70MPH while using it is much much easier. Simply amazing.
Anyhoo... now that I've completely gotten off the subject, as long as the lawmakers let me continue to use my GPS-enabled PDA while driving, I'll be a happy camper.
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01-06-2004, 04:53 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 713
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Re: California Beefs Up Bans On Screens In The Front Seat
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Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
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At the risk of drifting off-topic here, just when did Microsoft make a trial of Voice Command available? That was one of the biggest complaints I heard when they released it (well, maybe it was second after the price). Did I miss a memo somewhere??? :?
Edit: Hmmm, a 1-Day trial.
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01-06-2004, 04:59 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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OT
Ed, since Jason lives in the heart of cattle country you should probably try not using the word "beef" and ban" in the same sentance.  
On topic.
I have recently started using GPS, and my first time out I cut someone off when I drifted into the next lane. I think there is a real learning curve we should all be very aware of. GPS can be very distracting especially to the new user. Better a voice enabled devices such as that then a 3 foot square map though!
Dave
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01-06-2004, 05:35 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 338
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I'm so tired of these foolish "laws" meant to protect us.
The reality is, you can't legislate in an attempt to stop stupidity. All over the country (USA) jurisdictions want to ban cell phones while driving, etc.
Reality is, people started crashing cars the minute automakers put light switches on the dash! I can't count the number of times I've read in the paper how someone wrecked their car while they were fiddling with the radio...
Why don't we ban everything in the front seat of the car except the steering wheel, brake pedal, gas pedal, and possibly a clutch pedal. All radio, climate controls and other "distractions" be put in the back seat!
Realistically... I'm in a vanpool, and occupy the front passenger seat. I use my laptop everyday... I constantly check with our driver to make sure it's not a distraction (or blocking) and not a single time has he complained.
California needs to worry about their economy - not what types of screens **may** occupy the front seat.
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01-06-2004, 05:50 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,734
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PDA's are banned too!
Just so people know, pda's are banned too, especially when used for GPS, as it is a multi-function device with no lock to stop you from doing something else on the move (that is the only way to use a multi-function device) So definitely a pda running tom-tom or mapolosis on an arkron mount, even with voice direction, is banned by this new law.
Even worse, as a PASSENGER in the front seat you could not listen to music on your pda, as its got a large display. (even that IPod has a large screen, and can store your calender).
Laws which are so stupid just cause people to disrespect all laws. I just hope this foolish idea does not spread to the rest of the world.
Surur
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01-06-2004, 06:01 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 23
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Re: PDA's are banned too!
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Originally Posted by Surur
Laws which are so stupid just cause people to disrespect all laws. I just hope this foolish idea does not spread to the rest of the world.
Surur
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The "world" as far as I'm concerned might be just ahead of you guys...
Here in Brazil (traffic laws are federal, so they do apply to the whole country) the cell ban is in effect for over a year. And it does include headsets, as they too can be distracting.
Unfortunately, the high rate of disregard for the "stupid" laws still costs us much in lives. Unlike in the US, 99% of our cars have shift-gear, automatic being luxury items. Try to talk on the phone, shift a fourth and signal a left all at the same time...
Not good.
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01-06-2004, 06:26 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 76
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Bob Anderson
I'm so tired of these foolish "laws" meant to protect us. The reality is, you can't legislate in an attempt to stop stupidity.
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Exactly! Let's just create a law making it illegal to be stupid, and be done with it.
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01-06-2004, 07:08 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 48
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Bob Anderson
I'm so tired of these foolish "laws" meant to protect us.
The reality is, you can't legislate in an attempt to stop stupidity. All over the country (USA) jurisdictions want to ban cell phones while driving, etc.
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Not everyone is clearly as intelligent as you or the van driver. Such laws are not designed to protect stupid drivers who want to wrap their cars around telephone poles so they can watch a DVD while driving.
It's to protect the innocent victims caught in the crash.
Imagine how you would feel if it were your wife or your child killed by such a driver. Imagine how you would feel if you were told you could never walk again because of such a driver.
This is not to say that visual distractions such as laptops are a big deal in cars. I think someone ought to have a law about keeping both hands on the wheel: no drinking, no eating, no cell phones, no makeup. But that's not likely to happen.
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