Ok I just got pulled over by the fuzz for driving with my monitor on.. Is this a huge fine? Is this considered a moving violation???Can I go to traffic school to get this discharged? I aked the officer how much it would cost he had no clue..I hope it's just a fix-it ticket...

 

it's not a fix it ticket..
must be a moving violation....

sometimes it depends on the officer how he/she wanna write it...
my friend got pull over for the same thing....they put "reckless driving".

 

Were you watching anything like a movie? Or was it just up and visible?

 

wondering the same thing...

Matt

 

This is the main reason why I opt to not install a monitor in the stock radio location. The law enforcement dudes will try to cite you when they see you watching a movie or PS2/Xbox. But when it comes to Navigation, it's okay (go figure).

 

Navigation is an instrument that you refer to occasionally while driving. A movie or video game is a major distraction and shouldn't be visible to the driver.

We really don't want people who cannot figure out this distinction sharing the road with us!

George

 

Yeah...my buddy got the exact same ticket on the 91 at Lakewood...

he didn't bother to go to traffic school...i don't think it's a moving violation. But he ended up paying $168 for the ticket....

The price you pay for entertainment...haha. The funny thing is...if u hada passenger..u wouldn't have gotten the ticket...

 

So Navigation system makes it safer to drive when you only refer to it occasionally. Could that be the reason why it's okay to drive while dialing a phone number on a cell phone or reading a newspaper or someone putting their make up because the devices used are occasionally refered to?

We also don't want to share the road to Senior Citizens who can barely drive that drives on the left lane going 50 MPH on a 70 MPH Freeway or teenagers that barely got their drivers lincense who drives recklessly with their high performance 300 + horsepower Import/Domestic car.

 

??

 

None of these things are "okay" if they distract the driver.

Your logic is flawed. You seem to be saying "Many people drive in a dangerous manner, so that means that it's acceptable to drive in a dangerous manner by watching a movie." Sorry, but "everybody's doing it" isn't a valid excuse!

George

 

No dice. Here's the vehicle code section:

27602. No person shall drive a motor vehicle which is equipped with a television receiver, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast which is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or which is visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle. This section shall not apply to a mobile digital terminal installed in a law enforcement vehicle.

The screens have to be out of view of the driver while the vehicle is being operated.

Now, for Perry Mason types, there is a possible "out" in the phrase "receiving a television broadcast". If your player only handles DVDs, it can't receive a "broadcast" and might be technically exempt. However, I would suggest retaining a good attorney (like F. Lee Bailey) before attempting to wriggle out on this point. The judge will probably lean toward the intent of the law, which is clearly to prohibit video entertainment devices in the driver's view.

George

 

Okay so what if the screen is and you are listening to the radio? The cop sees the screen with stuff on it and pulls you over. Do you get a ticket? If it's able to recieve television broadcasts but isn't doing so while the car is in motion will there be a ticket? Some of those radio screens look like cartoons and could be mistaken for a movie or cartoon.

Matt

 

If it is visible to the driver, you had better be able to demonstrate to the cop's satisfaction that the DVD screen turns off or switches to a data mode when the ignition is on.

Cops see this sort of thing every day and can easily tell the difference between The Matrix and a nav screen. If you try to split hairs and don't be surprised if you are left holding a ticket.

George

 

Your logic is flawed. You seem to be saying "Many people drive in a dangerous manner, so that means that it's acceptable to drive in a dangerous manner by watching a movie." Sorry, but "everybody's doing it" isn't a valid excuse!

George[/quote]


Holy ____ man, you just reminded me of my LSAT classes i took a year ago. Damn logic. ;)

BTW, i agree with you as well in regards to distarctions to the driver. Regardless of what it is, it should all be illegal if it distracts the driver. Most people drive like ____ already, add to the fact that most dont pay attention and there you go

 

Your logic is flawed. You seem to be saying "Many people drive in a dangerous manner, so that means that it's acceptable to drive in a dangerous manner by watching a movie." Sorry, but "everybody's doing it" isn't a valid excuse!

George[/quote]


Holy ____ man, you just reminded me of my LSAT classes i took a year ago. Damn logic. ;)

BTW, i agree with you as well in regards to distarctions to the driver. Regardless of what it is, it should all be illegal if it distracts the driver. Most people drive like ____ already, add to the fact that most dont pay attention and there you go

 

The reason this guy pulled me over was that I wasn't wearing a seat belt and while pulling me over for that he noticed that my monitor was on.. I told the guy that it was just the radio screen saver... I really don't care for the price of the ticket.. I just hope it's not a moving violation. and if it is I hope I can go to traffic school...

 

This is incorrect monitor in front is illegal PERIOD in cali, only for use
as nav, back up or radio display.

 

George I'm referring to this comment you made. Basically, you're saying that you don't want to share the road with a person like me since I couldn't figure out the distinction between the two.

I can figure out the distinction between the two but I'm questioning why the law favors NAV system. I've own vehicles with NAV system and from time to time I refer to the Nav System just like I do from time to time look at the DVD Monitor.

I haven't had an accident or caused an accident in 5 years I've been driving my car with a monitor visible to a driver. Do you own a vehicle with a monitor or a NAV system visible to the driver?

 

I'm not talking about any specific person. I am referring to a class of individuals with which we are all quite familiar.

There's a huge difference between a nav display and a movie.

A nav system presents information in a set format, so you can quickly see the information you need, and get back to the "outside picture". The information is directly related to the driving task, so you refer to this information when you need it.

A movie is always presenting new, visually appealing information whose explicit goal is to capture and hold your attention ("suspend reality") for long periods. If a movie doesn't hold your attention, then it is a lousy movie! The movie information does not refer to the driving task, and beckons the viewer's attention continuously.

I congratulate you on your good driving record. However, I don't see how it relates to this discussion. We cannot extrapolate your single experience to all drivers with DVD equipment.

I use a Garmin nav system, but would never use a DVD system visible to the driver. I've seen enough movies to know that having such a system would be a dangerous distraction. There's no way that I could drive a car while Ann Miller is dancing "Too Darned Hot" from "Kiss Me Kate" on the video! :)

I believe that the nav system is somewhat safer than using a paper map, since it automatically keeps track of where the car is on the map and eliminates the need to manipulate the map itself. It can be a distraction if misused, but at least it isn't designed to continuously grab and hold attention.

BTW, I haven't had an accident in over 20 years, including many years of commuting in LA freeway traffic. My continued good luck, as well as yours, is dependent upon everyone paying attention to their driving. Perhaps you can withstand the urge to devote your attention to a powerful scene in a movie, but can you say that of the people around you? I don't want my car and life endangered by someone who "just had to watch that scene a few seconds longer".

George

 

That goes the same for a person wanted to see the map a few seconds longer.

Both NAV Sys and DVD are distraction to the driver.