Kids watching TV while driving?

[HotMech]

I disabled mine the first week I had it. I don't like outside influences on my personal desires. I don't want to watch tv, or DVD's when I'm driving, but my passengers sure do. To Hell with the laws. Pull the shades down.

[Chuck 1935]

HotMech
That was a perfect response. I couldn't agree with you more. That will fire up the naysayers !!!!

[Wayne M]

Oh yes they can! Rear view mirror.

Aw heck! Isn't that what cruise control is for.

Re-direct the tv output to the back-up camera monitor.

Trust me. None of those ideas are any good.

What about the bedroom tv?

[a k]

Tell-em it's just a big GPS screen

[Stump Jumper]

That might be a little tough to explain to the police when my "GPS" is showing a Disney movie on it!!

[Bill Adams]

To Hell with the laws. Pull the shades down.

I always love comments such as these. We seem to have lost sight of right and wrong as long as it's convenient for "me".
However, we all make these choices everyday. We jay-walk, run red lights, do a rolling stop at a right-on-red intersection or a stop sign we don't really think applies to us. We all do this and we all know that we may be ticketed for our indiscretions. A choice is just that, a choice. Laws are written to protect the innocent (the guy you hit while watching TV) but we, as a society, choose to follow the rules or not.
Now, so I don't sound like I am preaching here, I had an in-motion antenna on my coach for almost 10 years before I replaced it with a Trav'ler. I admit that I sometimes watched brief segments of interest while driving. I also admit that it was difficult to keep the RV in my lane when the "Girls gone wild" commercials came on! Otherwise, while I know I sometimes took my eye off the road, I don't feel I did anything dangerous. However, I was always very aware that what I was doing could get me a ticket so I turned the TV off as we approached toll booth or saw a officer approaching from the rear just to be on the safe side as I really don't need a moving violation on my driving record.

[TXiceman]

The best thing to do for the lids to watch movies is to get a portable DVD player and set it up where they can watch from a belted position.

Ken

[Chuck 1935]

TXiceman,
I belt them no matter what position they are in !!

[bdaball]

Drop the kiddies off at the theater as you drive by..........

[easyryder01]

Here is a pic of thewires and the outlet that connects the tv and the reciever in my coach, the manufacturer has told me that no matter were the tv is located they will always do this. So I went probing around and found that they basically attached a relay to the outlet and it simply interferes the power to the outlet the moment I put my ignition in the on position. Make sure you just don't cut whatever wire of the relay one is going to stop the relay from working and the other will keep the tv from working. If you know how a relay works you know what I mean. In my case it turned out to be the red wire and I just pulled it out of the scotch block or the wire tap I have heard both names used for it. It worked flawlessly and if I need to return it back to the way it was it will be a piece of cake. I also taped them together so they wouldn't get lost in the wall either. Here are my pics. Good luck it is easy.

[N1Rigger]

Originally Posted by RustyJC

I'll defer to some of our law enforcement members who may see this thread and post, but in the past they've said that there's differentiation between "driver's aid devices" (e.g., GPS screens, rear vision cameras, etc.) and television-type displays insofar as their enforcement is concerned.

Rusty

My new in dash gps/dvd touch screen in my car was disabled when you put the car in drive. I understood the reasons for disabling the dvd part of it, but the new systems dont care weather or not its in gps mode or dvd mode. I couldnt get car toys to disable the system, and stopping someplace to put the car into park whenever I wanted to check for a way point or nearest gas station ect on the gps. (Or for my wife to do it for me) So I broke the law and bypassed that lockout feature. I dont watch dvd's while drifing down the road, or at all for that matter. But the main reason for purchasing the in dash unit was for the gps. I just think it was funny that the manufacturers dont make the same differentiation between the gps and the dvd. And according to Car Toys, neither do they.

[RVDude]

Originally Posted by Bill Adams

I always love comments such as these. We seem to have lost sight of right and wrong as long as it's convenient for "me".

I'll second this remark and basically the rest of Bill's post.

Me, me, me... and I can get away with that... are both a disturbing change in values. But then again, it's also now fashionable that everything is somebody else's fault, never one's self. Distracted by texting, sexting, phoning, or that TV and hit someone and who will you blame??? Some one else of course... Hmmm...

TVs are disabled not because RV manufacturers are making life difficult for us, but because there is a majority of states with such a law requiring them to do so. It's yet another expense on them. Obey that law, and every other law/commandment (texting, tow brake, GVWR, etc.) as you see fit.

Me? I'll always try my best to consider what effect everything I do has (or could have) upon those around me.

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Stump Jumper

Is it also illegal to have your backup camera working while you are driving or is it just "entertainment" devices?

I have read where some states say "Any video equipment' Or such and thus would include the back up camera.

But if I was ever ticketed for that I think I would fight it and I'd invite a few friends from the press along to cover it.. Pointing out that it is really no more than a rear view mirror.


To the original poster.

Do not disable the main TV interlock. Find a place you can "Mount" a portable TV farther back.. For example on my coach there is a swivel chair bolted to the floor (Easily unbolted and moved should I wish) that is not to be sat upon when in motion.

I could easily strap a portable TV to this chair

I routed an additional COAX cable to the outside wall of a cabinet next to the chair along with a 12 volt outlet big enough to power the small portable TV.

Kids (or adults) Sitting on the couch (Wearing seat belts) can see it clearly

The driver.. Would have to turn around in his seat to see it.

Thus it's legal

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This same TV, with a longer hunk of coax hooked to an outdoor (Compartment) jack, and a portable "Car" (A 12 volt jump-start battery)

Is my "Sat-Finder" meter for setting up the ground dish.

Works great Beats the blazes out of that 30 dollar job the stores sell.

[wcombs34]

I have a 02 Bounder and it has a small TV in the Bed room that works off the house battery I would thank the 2000 has the same thing. the little ones could lay in the bed and watch videos it would not interfer with the driving. wcombs34