Video in motion & the law

[Shadow81]

I have been reading around about getting the ability to watch dvd's/tv whilst on the move on the COMAND screen.

Seems nice to have, but is it legal in the UK?

It would be nice if my fiancee could watch movies on it whilst on long drives occassionally, but I wouldnt want to get points/fined/banned for having it.

Logically, I do not see much difference between having Sat Nav displayed or having a movie playing, I would be more inclined to keep looking at the map than I would a movie.

Thanks

 

[DSM10000]

The more modern systems such as those used by Range Rover have a special screen that lets the driver see the sat nav display whilst the passenger sees the movie!

As far as I am aware it is illegal for the driver to be able to see the screen if a TV program or video etc whilst the vehcle is in motion.

 

[Shadow81]

Ah right, thanks. Nevermind. Saves me a few quid lol

 

[markjay]

I do not know about the legal side of things - it would of course be illegal for the driver to actually watch TV, but it does not mean that it is illegal to own a system that has this feature (in the same way that it is illegal for a driver to drink from a can while driving, but it is not illegal to have a cup holder, or even an open can in it, as long as the driver is not actually caught drinking from it while driving).

But you should worry about your insurer - the screen fade is defined by MB as a safety feature - so you will be in a position where you have deliberately modified the car by disabling a factory-fitted safety feature that prevents the driver from being distracted, and furthermore did not notify your insurer about this modification... now if your insurer ever finds out about (and they will, if asked to pay a large sum to third-party for instance), your insurance will be void...

 

[Diesel Benz]

The more modern systems such as those used by Range Rover have a special screen that lets the driver see the sat nav display whilst the passenger sees the movie!

Off topic but do you mean this is old news for Mercedes (like the Splitview on a W221) but considered more modern on a Range Rover?