UK Law and Car Computers

**Longkesh** · 09-23-2004, 05:27 AM

A person shall not drive, or cause or permit to be driven on a road, a motor vehicle, if the driver is in such a position as to be able to see, whether directly or by reflection, a television receiving apparatus or other cinematographic apparatus used to display anything other than information -

(a) about the state of the vehicle or its equipment;

(b) about the location of the vehicle and the road on which it is located;

(c) to assist the driver to see the road adjacent to the vehicle; or

(d) to assist the driver to reach his destination.

(2) In this regulation "television receiving apparatus" means any cathode ray tube carried on a vehicle and on which there can be displayed an image derived from a television broadcast, a recording or a camera or computer.

**Needstorage** · 09-23-2004, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by Longkesh

In this regulation "television receiving apparatus" means any cathode ray tube

Oh... so TFT is fine, no?

**Confused** · 09-23-2004, 05:39 AM

AFAIK, providing you're not displaying moving images (TV/Video/DVD) then it is OK.

I got pulled over last year for talking on the phone (the day before the law came in making it illegal) and I had my screen in the car. The copper came to the car and asked what it was for, and I said for music and navigation. He asked how it was controlled, and I said it was touchscreen, and he asked if it displays videos, and I said "only when stopped" and he didn't bat an eyelid.

He then said "but why have you put it in a Mitsubishi Carisma" (and i thought ****ing cheek), i smiled and said "why not?". That shut him up

Just be sensible (ie no videos while driving) and you should be fine. If anyone does say anything, just be polite and calm

Garry

**Jamez_Warner** · 09-23-2004, 06:34 AM

that's some cheek ! i'd have asked him for a race !

**barney0001** · 09-23-2004, 06:44 AM

I was pulled recently in Manchester (two cops with fleeces on over there body armor in a Vauxhall people carrier, good disguise!!!), they said the screen shouldn’t be on in front of the drivers sight (ie on the dash) while moving, however they also said if someone else is in the car they could have been watching it no probs (I was on my own at the time) a bit confusing. I agree with Garry, just be sensible, don’t use it for anything other than GPS etc while driving unless you want grief.

**Confused** · 09-23-2004, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Jamez_Warner

that's some cheek ! i'd have asked him for a race !

Probably not the best of ideas as I was trying to avoid a £30 non-endorsable (which I ended up getting in the end anyway) so was being very polite!

If I do get pulled again with just the mp3 screen on, I'll ask (politely, of course) what they would do if they pulled someone over with one of these new HUs with dolphins and flashing lights, as I've seen them in shops and they were much more distracting to me than any of the HUs with no moving images.

Garry

**Spaghetti** · 09-23-2004, 07:17 AM

Cops have screens that display information too...and they use handset radio's that have to be held to their ears...and they usually speed with no lights on...if I was a cop, I'd pull them over!

**Jamez_Warner** · 09-23-2004, 08:58 AM

indeed, one rule for us, another for them - it really winds me up, but I agree the new HU's have larger displays with REALLY bright flashing multicolour displays which causes far more distraction - I think a drive more safely with my system as I have prior warning of speed limits/turnings and easier mp3 navigation than my old MP3 HU

**Longkesh** · 09-23-2004, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Spaghetti

Cops have screens that display information too...and they use handset radio's that have to be held to their ears...and they usually speed with no lights on...if I was a cop, I'd pull them over!