Video in Motion-Unsafe but Legal??

[TheGrocer]

OK - I purchased the V6 SatNav DVD and the TMC cars were on the wrong side so the dealer has upgrade the software. Before I took it in I turned on video in motion (VIM) via the engineering menu on Command, as this excellent forum advised I would lose the engineering menu once the dealer upgraded the software. The software upgrade must have defaulted to turning VIM off as Ive now lost it. The wife and kids love to watch movies whilst we drive so i would like to turn it back on.
Question:
Is VIM legal in the UK?
Can it be turned back on via STAR at the dealer?
If yes can I insist the dealer does it at my own risk etc etc

Your thoughts??

 

[Rory]

It is illegal in the UK to have a TV/video/game screen that can be viewed by the driver while the vehicle is in motion.

The dealer would not dare turn it on.

You recognise in the title that it's unsafe - why on earth would you want to do this?? Even if you have such enormous self-control and focus such that you could ignore it, just think about how unconvincing that would sound in court if you were unfortunate enough to be involved in a serious accident.
I've also seen it suggested that it invalidates your insurance - technically that has to be correct (you're modifying the car), but I'm dubious it's something they actually check for. I guess it might come out in a really serious accident if the Police looked at the car.


Copied from elsewhere:
"Under Regulation 109 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, it is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on a road if the driver is in such a position as to be able to see, whether directly or by reflection, a television screen showing anything other than information:


(a) about the state of the vehicle or 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;

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

 

[Diesel Benz]

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

This last one sounds like intended to keep lawyers employed

I'm not supporting the idea of video in motion but to some extent I understand dutiful drivers keeping their eyes off the display and allowing the other passengers enjoy the video, not too many options for the front passenger and often neither for the rear passengers (rear entertainment system appears a bit costly and not so common). On the W221 you can even turn the front display heavily towards the front passenger, making it just about impossible for th driver to view the display.

Dealers however cannot do this, up-to-date SDS does not have an option to turn video in motion (other than slow speed) on.

Other options exist but I leave that out of this post.