From Fox News: ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A head-on crash along Alaska's Seward Highway two years ago killed Robert and Donna Weiser. But this was more than just another tragic accident as one man is now on trial for murder, accused of watching a movie instead of the road. If convicted, Jamie Petterson (search) faces at least 10 years in jail. The ex-wife of Petterson's passenger at the time testified about a call she got within hours of the crash. "He told me that him and Jamie were driving down the road and he was zoned out on the DVD … and the next thing he knew Jamie said, 'Oh —-,'" Marta Zoda, the prosecution's witness, testified. Rest of story is here Well, I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later..
UPDATE... From FoxNews: KENAI, Alaska — A man accused of causing a fatal collision by watching a DVD movie while driving was acquitted Tuesday of two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of manslaughter by a Kenai Superior Court jury. Erwin "Jamie" Petterson Jr. (search), 29, of Kenai was charged in the deaths of Robert Weiser, 60, and Donna Weiser, 56, of Anchorage on Oct. 12, 2002. Prosecutors contended that Petterson and a passenger were watching an in-dash DVD movie when Petterson's northbound Ford F-150 crossed the centerline, hitting the Weisers' Jeep Grand Cherokee head-on on the Seward Highway. Petterson testified that he was not watching a movie but instead was listening to music. He said his truck strayed into the other lane when he looked over to get a soda. That's the whole story, but if you want a link here ya go..
Yea i knew it would happen eventualy. Thats why if im not mistaken, most of the car makers that offer dvd systems make it so they only work when your in park.
Depends if it was an aftermarked unit, when I installed a DVD capable Nevigation unit in my father's 4x4 there was a warning that it may be illegal in your country not to have the handbrake sensor in place. I.E. The dvd's would only show in the dash screen if the handbrake was up, but would still play to other screens which could go in the back. TBH, I think manufacturers should be forced to link them into the GPS/SpeedPulse or have a Giro in there to detect movement.
Wouldn't it be cheaper and more simple to just hook up a sensor to the shift lever or stick shift to detect if the car is in gear? Personally, I don't see why anyone needs a monitor up in the front of the car. I can understand having one or two in the back for the kids, but why up front?
How about a semi-transparent like HUD thing that plays a movie? That way you can watch a movie and still be watching the road. (patent pending)
They did a HUD on 'the gadget show' on channel 5 and PC Format reviewed it. (I'll tell you when I find it). Half a jewel case, a 'liliput' (I reckon) LCD screen, in car PC and a GPS. Job done. (I think).
I'm not sure if they have them anymore, but I know that a HUD was an option on the GrandPrix GTE's not too long ago...
Dad, what I'm trying to get at is a totally sealed, inside the unit kind of system. One that wouldn't require the installer to wire into, thus making the bypass of this system not possible. Even a HUD is going to be dangerous, if your driving then you should be 100% road as much as possible.
well bad news.the guy has been let off with his 'i was reaching for a soda' bollocks.isn't he responcible because he wasn't in full control of the vehicle while drinking. any way silicon has more here EDIT:sorry the link is at Wired.com.my bad
HUD has been done...check the new bmw 5 series...its an option, rather expensive too! i dont think anything apart from information such as where to go (gps/naviagation) should be displayed for the driver...as this has jsut shown!