California Carputer Legality?

agentloveless · 10-20-2005, 02:40 PM

I was wondering if anyone out there new the exact law for carputers in CA. I have heard there is a law against a screen in view of the drive. Is that only if video is playing?

Also, at a stereo shop I noticed stickers saying that video playback would only work if the parking break was engaged. Is that a requirement or just the manufacturor covering there own *** from lawsuits?

Any one out there have any run in with the cops and there carputer?

DJiK · 10-20-2005, 05:26 PM

Last time I got pulled over with the carputer on. When the officer asked if I had a TV in the car, I just replied that it's a navigation system. (Make sure you turn iGuidance on before he approaches your window -- just to be on the safe side).

As for exact laws, I only know that you're not allowed to watch videos/movies while the car is in motion. And about screens, many cars come with factory navigation systems and even engine management status displays (Toyota Prius, Lexus RX400h, etc.). I don't see them being considered illegal in any way.

turbocad6 · 10-20-2005, 05:51 PM

in the end it's always going to be at the officers discression & what impression he gets from you, not to mention what he see's when first observing you & on final aproach to the vehicle..... he's out there looking for his interpitation of what he deams safe & unsafe..... the actual legalitys hopefully isn't something you'd have to get into until after the fact... if it ever came to that

I got pulled over once & I had an ebay page on my screen.....the officer just said " you don't use that when your driving, do you.." & I said no, of course not...... he then asked a few other questions about the setup.... I showed him the keyboard in the visor....... it was left at that

had I been a young kid in a riced out honda same situation instead of an older dude with a minivan though, I garentee I'd be screwed.....

RoyN · 10-20-2005, 05:54 PM

I think I read somewhere that CarPCs are known to cause cancer in the state of california... I'd wait until your across state borders to turn it on, just to be health-conscious.....

turbocad6 · 10-20-2005, 06:07 PM

yeah, cali officers can be pricks..... I know a guy who got a ticket for clear lenses on his lexus a few years back..... & they were factory

the officer didn't want to hear anything...... he did win in court though.....

bdrezner · 10-21-2005, 01:36 PM

Regarding CA laws... I recently read (I can't find it now, but it's out there) taht you can't have and video display in front of the back most part of the front seats. Lame wording, but that's what it said. Exceptions are for GPS, nav, front/rear cameras, vehicle information, etc.

So just keep the visualizations off when the peace officer makes his way up to your ride

Joshiwashy · 10-23-2005, 02:37 PM

I think there's also an 'interlock device' clause, which says that there must be an interlock to prevent the front screens from being used as anything other than the 'acceptable uses' while the vehicle is in motion. OEM's normally build this into the parking brake, and some people disable it.

I consider 'myself' to be the interlock device. Not sure how good of an argument that is though. It's at least probably a good idea if you take any 'DVD' options off the front, and try to make it look as oem as possible.

-Josh

0l33l · 10-23-2005, 03:00 PM

Someone can make a GPS program that can act as an interlock device. And it should be easily disabled

raghavghei · 10-23-2005, 03:31 PM

i got a queastion
how about u use the sceen as a mp3 playes are those illegale?

gbh · 10-23-2005, 06:48 PM

I did a quick search. I think this is the current law in CA. It was passed in Jan 2004.

California law (AB 301) explicitly bans the use of any visual device, like video monitors or screen or any similar way to visually displaying video. The text of this new bill says:

Quote:

"Existing law prohibits any person from driving a motor vehicle that is equipped with a television receiver, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast, if the device is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle. This prohibition does not apply to a mobile digital terminal installed in a law enforcement vehicle.

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, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle. This prohibition would not apply to specified equipment or to a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside assistance. Because a violation of this prohibition would be a crime, the bill would establish a state-mandated local program.

A person may not drive a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle. (b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to the following equipment when installed in a vehicle:
(1) A vehicle information display.
(2) A global positioning display.
(3) A mapping display.
(4) A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver’s view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle.
(5) A television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or any other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive."

It looks to me like an MP3 player on video screen while driving would be illegal in California.

What you should do is install NAVIVOICE and when the police pull you over yell Boris - "it's the cops" and configure your computer to switch to Navigation and lock out all Video, TV, DVD, etc. functionality.

The above is for informational purposes and is not to be construed as legal advice...or technical advice for that matter.

0l33l · 10-23-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by gbh It looks to me like an MP3 player on video screen while driving would be illegal in California.

What you should do is install NAVIVOICE and when the police pull you over yell Boris - "it's the cops" and configure your computer to switch to Navigation and lock out all Video, TV, DVD, etc. functionality. :)

[I

The above is for informational purposes and is not to be construed as legal advice...or technical advice for that matter.[/i]

Exactly!

liquid_smoke · 10-24-2005, 07:39 PM

i dont think a mp3 player would be illegal, that falls right into the same catagory as a cd player etc. Most of the factory nav systems have the controls for the CD player/fm/xm right on the same screen as the Nav, pretty much exactly like we do here except we have much nicer GUI's. I think the key things in that law are video display and business applications, dvds, email, websites,visu, etc etc,.
But to be on the safe side, its allways good to have your Navigation software ready to go.
Using Navi voice to switch to your GPS is a pretty good idea, no moving around etc, which can get you in a hairy situation.
I remember i got pulled over some years ago, and the cop started freaking out saying i was moving around too much, next thing i know i have two guns pointed in my face, one on the drivers side and his fag partner on the passenger side window. They claim i had a gun on the front seat, which to there suprise turned out to be the buckle on my freaking seat belt. LOL.

Subwoofer87 · 10-24-2005, 07:42 PM

its illegal. its a screen that obstructs the driver's view. if you don't have mechanical buttons, then you have to look at it to find what you want.

gbh · 10-24-2005, 10:11 PM

I believe states have to make exceptions for oem systems which pass federal DOT standards.

By my reading of the CA law, I think an MP3 player would be illegal.

I think it would be considered an entertainment application.

subdivision a: "A person may not drive a motor vehicle...if a...means of...displaying a...video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is...visible to the driver.

b(5): having a screen that will do this is allowed if there is an interlock device to disable all functions other than 1 thru 4 while the car is being driven. (MP3 player does not fit into any of these categories.)

Also, violation of this law is a criminal offense not a civil infraction.

turbocad6 · 10-24-2005, 10:26 PM

mp3's are audio, not video.... the display is no different than a radio station or cd displaying track info..... now visualizations.... that ad's video to the entertainment, a front end displaying visualzations can technically be considered video entertainment I guess....., but not a list of mp3's surely...