Keep eyes on the road, not the TV screen

California is cracking down on motorists who are reckless enough to watch a TV show or a movie while driving.

Effective Jan. 1, a revised state law prohibits motorists from driving while a television or video display is operating within view.

These products first became popular with parents who used them to entertain children on long drives. But the industry has evolved into catering to those who seem to want total entertainment centers on wheels.

And the growing popularity of mobile video entertainment devices -- especially aftermarket equipment -- prompted the state to extend the prohibition to other video screens and displays viewed by drivers. The law exempts global positioning systems, mapping and vehicle information displays and equipment that enhances a driver’s view in backing up or maneuvering.

Tom Marshall, a California Highway Patrol spokesman, said he and others in law enforcement found it hard to fathom why drivers would engage in such risky behavior.

“You could even have a screen mounted on the top of your steering wheel so you are looking straight ahead. But if you are focused on watching the replay of some sporting event on this little screen, you’re not going to see the guy stop all of a sudden in front of you,” he said.

On-board and portable video, DVD and TV screens are supposed to be installed behind the driver’s seat or out of the driver’s sight if positioned in the front.

But with the abundance of aftermarket mobile entertainment equipment, drivers can install video screens almost anywhere in the vehicle. Apparently, some drivers remove the air bag from the steering wheel and replace it with a video screen.

All told, the U.S. market for mobile video systems in 2003 was $422 million, according to the Consumer Electronics Assn.

I did some virtual shopping for mobile video devices and came across the Innovatek, a sun visor with a small built-in liquid crystal display color screen to watch DVDs, TV channels and video games. The product, which looks like a conventional sun visor, can be installed in front of a driver. It was advertised at $150 at www.mp3player store.com.

I also found a ceiling-mounted video monitor for about $330 at www.Electronixwarehouse.com whose advertising says it can be installed almost anywhere in the vehicle. However, the website notes that laws in many states require the screens not to be in view of the driver.

For its part, the Mobile Enhancement Retailers Assn. has told retailers to install screens only out of the driver’s view.

The CHP, which supported the new law, has no data on how many accidents have been caused by motorists watching video or television while driving. But Marshall said law enforcement officers do encounter the problem.

Consider the man in Traverse City, Mich., who was ticketed in May for driving while watching a 6-inch TV mounted on his dashboard. Or the Los Angeles motorist caught a few years ago watching a basketball game with his son on a small-screen TV while driving.

Marshall says California law allows officers to stop and ticket drivers if they see them watching a screen while driving. A driver can be cited only if the monitor is operating. Any penalties will be set by local courts.

The Consumer Electronics Assn. supported the new California law, said Chris Cook, the group’s staff director for mobile electronics.

“We made every effort to make sure the consumer was protected,” he said. But in this situation, “you have to put a law in place to protect the consumers from themselves.”

E-mail: jeanrite@aol.com.