Thread: Ontario Bans Computers in Cars

Holy crap!

This sounds like it would exclude higher-end head units that can display images or have visualizations...
Never might higher-end "all-in-one" units like Pioneer's AVIC series and comparable models.

If this bill passes, it could possibly mean that developers like those who are writing Centrafuse, StreetDeck and Roadrunn ( as well as others) could have liability issues if their product is installed in a vehicle.

[EDIT]
I read the text of the bill... (Link)

Basically, a display screen is legal if it is GPS navigation, Vehicle tracking, collision avoidance (rear-view camera, for example), or vehicle information (OBD guages).
No CD or mp3 controls.
No visualizations.
No control of comfort devices (power windows, air suspension, etc.).

I can even see your PC being illegal if it displays music track information on the GPS screen, as the wording is pretty specific about the screen being ONLY for GPS navigation or one of the other functions.
Of course this would make for other devices such as TomTom GO 730 or Garmin nüvi® 770, as they have the capability of playing mp3 files in addition to the GPS Navigation function.

I can see these manufacturers pushing to get this bill killed, as it would make some of their product line illegal in Ontario.


What sucks that Police, ambulance and fire vehicle operators are exepmpt AND the minister can decide who is or is not exempt!

WTF?
Sorry, but this sounds really shady. What's to keep the Minister from saying his son is exempt if he gets stopped for texting & driving?
That right there is one big humongous loophole that should (hopefully) get this bill destroyed in short order.

Stupid conservative government... Just dont let it pass. I will put in my absentee vote against it.

Yes, stupid.

Yes, no screen would be legal just because it shows GPS. The screen/computer/device would have to have no other function than to deliver a global positioning system for navigation. So since a Windows XP or Windows Vista can do more than just run GPS software, it would not be allowed, as I understand it.

Originally Posted by Marvin Hlavac

Yes, stupid.

Yes, no screen would be legal just because it shows GPS. The screen/computer/device would have to have no other function than to deliver a global positioning system for navigation. So since a Windows XP or Windows Vista can do more than just run GPS software, it would not be allowed, as I understand it.

Well OEM systems do nav and more. The screen in our RX350 does climate, gps, info, song title everything. So it would be then classified as illegal?

Good point! And what is a computer anyway? All cars have computers these days, don't they? Politicians...

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Stupid conservative government... Just dont let it pass. I will put in my absentee vote against it.

Ontario is Liberal...unless this is a federal law, in which cause it wouldn't affect just Ontario.
It could be interpreted as to not include 'built-in' devices like the OEM NAV/HVAC screens...
It's kinda vague...
When they mention computers, I think they are referring to laptops...but of course, if it doesn't explicitly imply laptops, then it includes
all computers...
Stupid liberal AND conservative governments!!

The motor vehicle registries in Canada work on a provincial level, so if this law is passed it would only be for Ontario. I think this is a stupid law, sure hope it doesnt get passed or spreads.

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Stupid conservative government... Just dont let it pass. I will put in my absentee vote against it.

It's the "Liberal Government" not conservative. This is a provincial issue not Federal.

Many Factory nav systems include MP3 control radio etc, BMW I drive is another. This will be almost impossible to enforce.

Originally Posted by csurfer

It's the "Liberal Government" not conservative. This is a provincial issue not Federal.

Many Factory nav systems include MP3 control radio etc, BMW I drive is another. This will be almost impossible to enforce.

If they are sensible, they'll just adopt the cell phone ban, like a few of the other provinces, and drop all that other nonsense...
I HATE it when they try to push thru legislation that's 'bundled' with other ****. They usually do it as a dangling carrot, so they can sneak less popular laws thru...