Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Driving Under the Influence of Electronics

Cynthetiq · 06-23-2003, 12:17 PM

Driving Under the Influence By Katie Dean
Story location: http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,59272,00.html

02:00 AM Jun. 23, 2003 PT

The musical Grease features bad-boy grease monkeys in the 1950s crooning about souped-up cars with purple taillights and 30-inch fins.

But hot rodders in the 21st century want more than extra chrome. They are adding enhancements like satellite television, DVD players and video-game consoles to their cars for cachet.

While these devices can ease the tedium of a long ride in the back seat, car owners increasingly are choosing to outfit their dashboards -- and break the law in the process. Watching any kind of screen while driving is illegal in many states, and critics say these entertainment-rich wagons are careering toward disaster.

"It's ridiculous. People are plugging in television sets, DVD players, you name it," said Lisa Sheik of the Partnership for Safe Driving. "It's just absolutely terrifying."

In 2002, 120,000 in-dash DVD players were sold, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Sales are expected to grow to 176,000 this year. Car electronics manufacturers also report brisk sales of in-dash stereos that feature flip-up monitors.

Rap star Sean "P. Diddy" Combs recently announced plans to sell customized Lincoln Navigator SUVs outfitted with three DVD players (one for the front seat, one for the middle and one for the back), six screens (one in the front, four on headrests and one overhead), a PlayStation 2, satellite radio and heated, vibrating seats.

Combs will cruise in one of the $85,000 vehicles to the BET Awards next week, according to Josh Taekman, president of marketing agency Buzztone.

Meanwhile, R.D. Sam, manager of Custom Car Alarms in San Francisco, estimates about 40 percent of his customers who get video systems installed get them in the front seat. He's installed about 30 systems so far this year, he said.

"The video systems are getting more popular," he said. "It's another thing people can do to differentiate their cars."

"Some people add a PlayStation or Xbox, some people have added TV reception as well," he added.

Never mind that 39 states place some type of restriction on front-seat video screens. Since 1980, for example, California has banned the use of any kind of screen in the front seat of moving automobiles. But electronics manufacturers have lobbied successfully for legislation in 13 other states to allow the installation of in-dash monitors hooked to navigation systems.

Of course, the monitors can also be used illegally to view entertainment while driving.

"When you are viewing those screens or monitors while you're driving, that would be illegal (in California)," said Sgt. Wayne Ziese, public affairs coordinator for the Golden Gate Division of the California Highway Patrol. "If I can see it as I'm cruising by, that's when you're subject to being stopped and cited."

The punishment isn't much of a deterrent: The moving violation costs only $85 to $155 depending on the jurisdiction -- far less than carpool violations and some parking tickets.

Manufacturers insist that they instruct customers to use their devices safely and legally. They say they instruct them to watch video only when the car is stopped, and many products are installed to work only when the parking brake is engaged.

Still, laws aren't stopping some from finding a way around the safety devices.

"Need a little help," reads one post on a Dodge Dakota message board. "I want to put DVD player in dash, however I heard that it will not work while vehicle is moving. Is there any way to get around this?"

"I just got an in-dash DVD player and it has a park switch," reads another post on the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club. "I know you have to hook this up to the parking brake, but I wanna be able to use this while I'm driving. What do I have to do to make this work?"

Ziese said the California Highway Patrol is tracking collisions that occur because of driver distraction by DVDs, televisions or navigation systems.

"The statistical data does not indicate that there is a huge problem," Ziese said. "Of course, oftentimes it's difficult to get accurate data because we don't always have a witness saying that the driver was looking at a DVD, or the driver won't admit to watching a DVD when they ran off the road. We have to rely on the honesty of the driver."

He said the California Highway Patrol has received complaints from people who have spotted other drivers watching movies in the front seat.

"Operating motor vehicles while talking on a cell phone and looking ahead (has been) proven dangerous," Ziese said. "If you're taking your eyes away from the road (to watch a DVD), the chances for death or injury are magnified even that much more."

Sheik of the Partnership for Safe Driving said that it's only a matter of time before the accidents pile up and the lawsuits begin. An offending driver who injures another while watching TV won't stand a chance in front of a jury, she said.

But the manufacturers will profit from the trend while they can.

Said Jeff Abrams, technical marketing manager for Clarion: "This is something that the consumer wants."

------

Drivers are already bad enough out there with just a radio and cell phone. While I think that it's great for the back seat to keep the kids quiet, there is also a point in time where a person has to learn to just be. No stimulation, nothing but the environment around them.

06-23-2003, 12:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Driving Under the Influence By Katie Dean Story location: http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,59272,00.html 02:00 AM Jun. 23, 2003 PT The musical Grease features bad-boy grease monkeys in the 1950s crooning about souped-up cars with purple taillights and 30-inch fins. But hot rodders in the 21st century want more than extra chrome. They are adding enhancements like satellite television, DVD players and video-game consoles to their cars for cachet. While these devices can ease the tedium of a long ride in the back seat, car owners increasingly are choosing to outfit their dashboards -- and break the law in the process. Watching any kind of screen while driving is illegal in many states, and critics say these entertainment-rich wagons are careering toward disaster. "It's ridiculous. People are plugging in television sets, DVD players, you name it," said Lisa Sheik of the Partnership for Safe Driving. "It's just absolutely terrifying." In 2002, 120,000 in-dash DVD players were sold, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Sales are expected to grow to 176,000 this year. Car electronics manufacturers also report brisk sales of in-dash stereos that feature flip-up monitors. Rap star Sean "P. Diddy" Combs recently announced plans to sell customized Lincoln Navigator SUVs outfitted with three DVD players (one for the front seat, one for the middle and one for the back), six screens (one in the front, four on headrests and one overhead), a PlayStation 2, satellite radio and heated, vibrating seats. Combs will cruise in one of the $85,000 vehicles to the BET Awards next week, according to Josh Taekman, president of marketing agency Buzztone. Meanwhile, R.D. Sam, manager of Custom Car Alarms in San Francisco, estimates about 40 percent of his customers who get video systems installed get them in the front seat. He's installed about 30 systems so far this year, he said. "The video systems are getting more popular," he said. "It's another thing people can do to differentiate their cars." "Some people add a PlayStation or Xbox, some people have added TV reception as well," he added. Never mind that 39 states place some type of restriction on front-seat video screens. Since 1980, for example, California has banned the use of any kind of screen in the front seat of moving automobiles. But electronics manufacturers have lobbied successfully for legislation in 13 other states to allow the installation of in-dash monitors hooked to navigation systems. Of course, the monitors can also be used illegally to view entertainment while driving. "When you are viewing those screens or monitors while you're driving, that would be illegal (in California)," said Sgt. Wayne Ziese, public affairs coordinator for the Golden Gate Division of the California Highway Patrol. "If I can see it as I'm cruising by, that's when you're subject to being stopped and cited." The punishment isn't much of a deterrent: The moving violation costs only $85 to $155 depending on the jurisdiction -- far less than carpool violations and some parking tickets. Manufacturers insist that they instruct customers to use their devices safely and legally. They say they instruct them to watch video only when the car is stopped, and many products are installed to work only when the parking brake is engaged. Still, laws aren't stopping some from finding a way around the safety devices. "Need a little help," reads one post on a Dodge Dakota message board. "I want to put DVD player in dash, however I heard that it will not work while vehicle is moving. Is there any way to get around this?" "I just got an in-dash DVD player and it has a park switch," reads another post on the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club. "I know you have to hook this up to the parking brake, but I wanna be able to use this while I'm driving. What do I have to do to make this work?" Ziese said the California Highway Patrol is tracking collisions that occur because of driver distraction by DVDs, televisions or navigation systems. "The statistical data does not indicate that there is a huge problem," Ziese said. "Of course, oftentimes it's difficult to get accurate data because we don't always have a witness saying that the driver was looking at a DVD, or the driver won't admit to watching a DVD when they ran off the road. We have to rely on the honesty of the driver." He said the California Highway Patrol has received complaints from people who have spotted other drivers watching movies in the front seat. "Operating motor vehicles while talking on a cell phone and looking ahead (has been) proven dangerous," Ziese said. "If you're taking your eyes away from the road (to watch a DVD), the chances for death or injury are magnified even that much more." Sheik of the Partnership for Safe Driving said that it's only a matter of time before the accidents pile up and the lawsuits begin. An offending driver who injures another while watching TV won't stand a chance in front of a jury, she said. But the manufacturers will profit from the trend while they can. Said Jeff Abrams, technical marketing manager for Clarion: "This is something that the consumer wants." ------ Drivers are already bad enough out there with just a radio and cell phone. While I think that it's great for the back seat to keep the kids quiet, there is also a point in time where a person has to learn to just be. No stimulation, nothing but the environment around them. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!