Alaska DVD murder case.

And you know this won't be the last time something like this happens. It's hard to believe someone would watch TV while driving but they are everywhere. I see them all the time here in SoCal. Just because it can be done, doesn't mean it should be done.

I've seen the topic of this conversion come up before and I've resisted commenting on how stupid and irresponsible it is, but I felt I had to say something in the hopes that some of you may reconsider. I just don't understand why anyone would do this. Are they just trying to impress, "I can watch TV and movies while I drive, I'm so cool."

Sorry for the rant, I just don't get it.

 

I agree with you and posted a simliar post in the "Audio and Video" section. I updated my post with the CNN link as it is more detailed than the link I had originally provided.

This has been discussed before and the people with the Video capability claim they would never used it on the road. I think the temptation would always be there to eventually use it while driving, no matter how noble the intent is before installation.

If it is proved beyond a doubt that they did watch the video while driving, then it should be handled in a similiar manner as a drunk and driving homicide. From all indications, they were watching the video at the time of the accident.

 

I agree 100% with you guys on watching TV while driving however some of us are looking for the video switcher for practical reasons. Have you guys ever seen how happy a DVD movie can make a 2yr old on a long driving trip? In fact, the DVD movie playing through your navigation system may be less distracting than a restless screaming toddler.

If used properly the video switcher has no more chance of causing an accident than talking on the cell phone, putting on makeup or changing the radio station. Hell, I see people reading the paper everyday on the drive to work. These people are asking for something stupid to happen.

 

Jeez man, you really believe what you're saying in the first paragraph? Put the DVD player in the back seat where the kid can watch, but the driver cannot. I guess there's no reason to expect that someone stupid enough to play a dvd in the front seat would have the good sense to put their child in the back seat where they belong. Then in the second paragraph you basically admit that watching a movie is as stupid and dangerous as the other things you list. THEY ALL HAVE A HUGE RISK OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT! THIS MEANS THEY ARE ALL VERY STUPID THINGS TO DO! What is your point?

 

I think the stupid part is letting a 2 year-old within 10 feet of this sweet-ass-sweet p-wagon!

 

I don't think having this conversion done is a stupid thing, but I think it should be done responsibly (as with most every mod you can do to a vehicle). If used responsibly, I agree with rs808, that this is no more dangerous than having a radio on. First of all, the dvd system should ONLY be allowed to play if the car is in park (having had to sit in my car for 20+ minutes waiting for someone to run into a store and buy something, this really comes in handy...). Anyone who bypasses this safety protocol should be held liable for any damage that occurs while they are driving, in my opinion.

I also think that having a DVD system in the car would be a useful tool if you have children, BUT the screen should not be visible to the driver. Having a second screen put in the backseat for the kids would be the only way this would work.

Like I said, if done correctly and with safety in mind, this is not only a fun mod, but a useful one as well. If done irresponsibly, like the kid in Alaska, then the driver should be held accountable.

Matt

 

Right. Just one thing, and this is purely my own issue that I can't resist urging you to consider...I think younger people watch far too much TV and spend far too much time playing video games and watching DVDs of movies they have seen many times before. That 20 minutes when your wife runs into the store could be used to enrich your mind. Turn on the news, read a book or a magazine, listen to the XM channels and close your eyes and experience jazz or classical or electronic music. ANYTHING is better than watching your Lord of the Rings or Terminator 2 DVD for the 16th time.

Just my opinion, take it or leave it.

 

That would be true if I had a job that didn't require me to read all day long. As it stands, I'm constantly reading and learning new things during the day. When I'm out in the car, and I'm waiting for someone to run in to the store, I usually just want to veg.

And who says that I'm watching Terminator? It's possible that I'm watching one of my Connections DVDs (a fantastic educational series by James Burke...check it out). I agree that kids today have a little too much electronic stimulation and not enough reading or running around or riding a bike, etc. But kids aren't driving TLs. At least, not my TL. So, I think that this DVD switch mod is useful to some people, but, again, only if it's done safely.

Just remember that there are billions of people out there, all with different lives and different needs than you (and by "you", I mean anyone reading this, not just acuraddict). Just because you don't see a need for this, or think that this is frivolous or would be used only for playing games, remember that someone else might have a legitimate (sometimes educational) use for it.

But, back to the reason for this whole post in the first place, if the kid WAS watching a DVD and the prosecutors can prove it, then I really hope he gets the maximum penalty. I know that I would be extremely angry if some punk kid was watching a movie while driving and killed someone I loved. Cars are lethal weapons, as lethal as guns and knives, and they carry the same level of responsibility as guns or knives. Have them, polish them, love them, use them responsibly. If you misuse the car and kill someone, you should be held liable for that crime as much as a shooter or stabber should be held accountable for their crimes. I hope this case in Alaska gets some widespread exposure to the modding community and I hope it makes people really think about getting that DVD player installed. It's simple...hook it up to Park and only watch your movies when you're stuck in your non-moving vehicle.

Matt

 

I don't disagree with you at all. My problem is not with properly installed DVD players that do not play in a forward gear or screens for passangers, my problem is with drivers watching. BTW, the accused is not a kid, he's 29 and should know better.

 

[QUOTE=msisaac]Just remember that there are billions of people out there, all with different lives and different needs than you (and by "you", I mean anyone reading this, not just acuraddict). Just because you don't see a need for this, or think that this is frivolous or would be used only for playing games, remember that someone else might have a legitimate (sometimes educational) use for it./QUOTE]


Point taken. I admit that I tend to immediately think of "kids" with DVD players in their headrests trying to watch movies from the driver's seat. I think its highly unusual that people intend to watch educational programs on their dvd players, but yeah that sounds like a great thing.

To the other poster, a 29 year-old is barely out of adolescence - which actually doesn't end until you turn 26 (my wife's a shrink - trust me on this fact). People are just not very bright in many cases..I mean the guy was watching a movie while driving. It should be outlawed for the simple reason that people don't use good judgement. Like, I love the helmet laws in California. Not because I think the state should bother saving the life of someone who would otherwise be stupid enough to not wear a helmet - but because I need my rights protected as a fellow motorist. I don't want an involutary manslaughter charge just 'cause some fool didn't wear a helmet when he made a left turn in front of me on his motorcylce.

 

Shoot, I'm 27 and I'm still a kid...I think 29 is still a kid. To a certain extent, I don't think any guy ever really grows out of his "kid" phase.