GPS screen vs. TV screen

I was recently (as a passenger) in a car with a GPS. I couldn't wait for the
ride to over because the driver was concentrating on the GPS rather than the
road.
Why is having a TV in car with the screen visible from the driver seat illegal,
but having the GPS right there in the center of the dash legal?

 

| I was recently (as a passenger) in a car with a GPS. I couldn't wait for the
| ride to over because the driver was concentrating on the GPS rather than the
| road.
| Why is having a TV in car with the screen visible from the driver seat
illegal,
| but having the GPS right there in the center of the dash legal?
|
|

Good question.

 

<< Subject: Re: GPS screen vs. TV screen
From: "James C. Reeves" >>

< Good question. >>

____Reply Separator_____

Thanks, now we wait for a good answer. And NOT one from the government!

 

government!

I could venture a guess - what is viewed on the GPS screen is relative
to the vehicle, what is viewed on a TV screen is not.

 

In Ontario having it there is not illegal, but technically using it
is.
No video screen may be visible to the driver.
Kinda rules out a "glass cockpit" in your car.

I had a TV screen connected to a video camera used as a rear vision
device towing a trailer, and untill I demonstrated it to the officer
he was BOUND he was going to charge me.

 

I think the newer GPS systems use voice direction, ending the necessity of
looking at the screen to actually use it. I know the Chrysler RB-1
system(which I would love to get) also disables most of the controls while
the car is moving over something like 5mph. The idea is that it forces you
to pull over to use the different displays.

I'm sure if the amount of damage insurance co's have to shell out for
becomes large enough, due to "GPS distraction", it will certainly become
illegal. They do have a powerful lobby, don't they?

On the distraction subject, while at a light, I watched a guy on a
motorcycle make a cell phone call, I was wondering what he was going to do
when the light turned,(he was using his throttle hand to hold the phone, but
he timed it just right, ending the call just before the light changed.

SRG

 

The Acura's have voice recognition as well as voice output. I have a
handheld Garmin which I keep in the instrument well. It's not as
sophisticated as a built in, it can't talk just beep, but it's a lot less
distracting then trying to figure out where you are or what street you are
on. People who live in the midwest where the roads are straight and well
marked may not be able to appreciate just how much a GPS simplifies your
life. I live in New England where there aren't any street signs, all roads
are very very curvy, and streets all change their names at every town
boundary. My GPS makes it possible to get places in a fraction of the time
that it used to take. I would never consider buying a new car that didn't
have one.