Slashdot Mirror
Watch TV On Your Satnav
Barence writes "Satnav firm Mio is launching a device with an integrated TV tuner. The Mio Spirit range includes a digital television tuner that is intended to be used 'during breaks in the journey or at their final destination.' However, safety campaigners fear there's little to stop the television being used at the wheel. When the system is first turned on a warning message is displayed, telling the user not to watch television while driving. If this is ignored, a secondary warning message kicks in if the GPS chip detects the vehicle is moving at more than 5mph. But that's it!"
Fine, but what solution are you proposing? Are you implying that these devices should be banned from the marketplace, because people simply should not have the right to own a product that would let them watch TV while driving? Are you implying that a couple "warning" boxes popping up that someone has to tap "ok" to get past will solve the problem adequately?
I'd say the best we can do is let law enforcement pull over and ticket anyone seen driving while having a TV display on, clearly aimed towards the driver -- and beyond that, just let it be.
By issuing a person a driver's license, we're claiming they're "approved" to safely operate motor vehicles on our roads. Sometimes, they don't take the responsibilities that come with it seriously enough and people get hurt, or even killed. But just like it doesn't make sense to ban all alcohol or medication that "might cause drowsiness" to avoid those items causing a car accident, it doesn't make sense to limit or ban some GPS just because it can double as a TV screen.