Community Forums

danhannah · 12-20-2015, 12:56 AM

Here's an excerpt from the Washington State Motor Vehicle Code:

RCW 46.37.480
Television viewers—Earphones.
(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast when the moving images are visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle on a public road, except for live video of the motor vehicle backing up.

rivraton · 12-20-2015, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danhannah

Here's an excerpt from the Washington State Motor Vehicle Code:

RCW 46.37.480
Television viewers—Earphones.
(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast when the moving images are visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle on a public road, except for live video of the motor vehicle backing up.

I don't think you have to worry about it, the law is specifically about broadcast TV(although I would bet if you were caught watching a DVD the statute would apply)

birddog2you · 12-20-2015, 02:13 AM

Nanny State strikes again. Did we really need that law.

Bruce C · 12-20-2015, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivraton

I don't think you have to worry about it, the law is specifically about broadcast TV(although I would bet if you were caught watching a DVD the statute would apply)

MRUSA14 · 12-20-2015, 05:01 AM

It talks about a television BROADCAST. My lane change cameras are not broadcast anywhere and I don't think yours are either. Therfore the law does not apply.

cwsqbm · 12-20-2015, 05:33 AM

If they're going to bust you for that, they'd be busting everyone using a GPS.

69Stang · 12-20-2015, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwsqbm

If they're going to bust you for that, they'd be busting everyone using a GPS.

Your GPS receives a "television broadcast"?

Technically they could bust me for my rear view camera since it's not only on when I'm backing up.

RCW 46.37.480
Television viewers—Earphones.
(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast when the moving images are visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle on a public road, except for live video of the motor vehicle backing up.

Tha_Rooster · 12-20-2015, 06:01 AM

Don't they have something better to worry about.

nothermark · 12-20-2015, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Don't they have something better to worry about.

Yes, morons on their cell phones.

To add to the answer, broadcast television is the issue not cameras in place or addition to mirrors. The point is distracted driving. It frequently kills people. The rest of us are trying to avoid being run over by somebody not paying attention.

wildtoad · 12-20-2015, 06:18 AM

its a good law to not allow a driver to be watching tv while driving. Video screens that are used to provide the driver with surrounding conditions - backup, side view cameras are fine.

southernlady · 12-20-2015, 06:36 AM

The backup camera is in your "rear view" mirror in a motorcoach. Since you can not have a rear view mirror, the camera is your best option. (well, you could but what good would it do? Keep an eye on the bathroom????)

I suspect the law also says that rear view mirrors are required.

PanJH · 12-20-2015, 06:41 AM

Yes it's a ticket waiting to happen - use duct tape to mask off the lens of the camera , or better yet, wack the cameras off with a machete and then patch up the body work with duct tape.

southernlady · 12-20-2015, 06:57 AM

Okay, looked up the law for Washington State:
RCW 46.37.400
Mirrors, backup devices.
(1) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle and so located to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle.
(2) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with an additional mirror mounted either inside the vehicle approximately in the center or outside the vehicle on the right side and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle.
(3) Every truck registered or based in Washington that is equipped with a cube-style, walk-in cargo box up to eighteen feet long used in the commercial delivery of goods and services must be equipped with a rear crossview mirror or backup device to alert the driver that a person or object is behind the truck.
(4) All mirrors and backup devices required by this section shall be maintained in good condition. Rear crossview mirrors and backup devices will be of a type approved by the Washington state patrol.
[1998 c 2 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 355 § 34; 1963 c 154 § 25; 1961 c 12 § 46.37.400. Prior: 1955 c 269 § 40; prior: 1937 c 189 § 37; RRS § 6360-37; RCW 46.36.060.]
Notes:
Effective date -- 1998 c 2: "This act takes effect September 30, 1998." [1998 c 2 § 2.]
Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 355: See note following RCW 46.37.010.
Effective date -- 1963 c 154: See note following RCW 46.37.010.
Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles -- Additional requirements and limitations: RCW 46.37.539.

ralphie · 12-20-2015, 08:02 AM

Don't think it applies to your on board cameras. Simple def. of "broadcast" is "to*transmit*(programs)*from*a radio*or*television*station." I'll bet this has already been litigated in court.