AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF VIDEO EQUIPMENT IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

The bill revises the law that prohibits a television screen or other similar device from being installed in a motor vehicle where it may be visible to the driver or interfere with the safe operation or control of the vehicle in any other way. Currently, devices meeting certain criteria that are installed by the motor vehicle manufacturer are exempt from this general prohibition.

The bill (1) revises some of these exceptions and adds others and (2) eliminates the restriction that they must be installed by a vehicle manufacturer, thus permitting aftermarket installation and use of devices that qualify.

Currently, a television screen or other similar device cannot be installed or used anywhere in a motor vehicle where it may be visible to the driver or interfere with the vehicle's safe operation or control in any way. The bill, instead, specifies (1) that such a device cannot display a moving image, other than text and (2) that, to be prohibited, the device's image must be visible to someone who is actually operating the vehicle and using a seat belt.

Currently, a device that has been installed by the vehicle's manufacturer is exempt from the prohibition if it meets one or more of the following: (1) it is a video display unit used for instrumentation purposes, (2) it is a closed video monitor used only for backing or parking, (3) it is a video display unit or device capable of operation only when the vehicle is stationary and is automatically disabled when the vehicle is in motion, or (4) the display or device is used to enhance or supplement the driver's view of the area immediately surrounding the vehicle to assist in low-speed maneuvering at not more than 10 miles per hour around obstructions.

The bill eliminates the requirement that excepted devices be installed only by the vehicle's manufacturer, thus permitting them to be installed in the aftermarket. It also revises the exceptions as follows:

1. a closed video monitor used to assist the driver while backing, parking, maneuvering at a speed up to 12 miles per hour, or to monitor passengers seated behind the driver;

2. a video display unit or device capable of operation only when the vehicle is stationary and is automatically disabled when the vehicle is in motion (unchanged by the bill);

3. a video display or device that is used to enhance or supplement the driver's view of the roadway or to assist the driver in object detection;

4. a video display unit used for control or instrumentation purposes (current law), to provide vehicle information, or to assist in the operation of navigation, traffic, road, and weather information functions; or

5. a video display or device installed in any emergency vehicle.

Yea

Nay

(03/16/2009)