I'm amazed at what I hear on the radio. I was fixing dinner and listening to my favorite personality at WGN in Chicago this evening. He was talking about a phenomenon that is developing thanks to DVD players in cars.
He was talking about a woman who had planned to tell her daughter about the birds and the bees when she was about eight. Unfortunately, her four year old daughter was exposed to the facts of life when she saw a porn flick rolling on a DVD in the car next to them. The mother commented that just as strip clubs have no windows, you shouldn't be able to see porn playing through the windows of a car.
It seems that porn is doing a big business in cars. Inventive videophiles have found ways to set DVD players up where the DRIVER can watch them. So we face several problems.
First, the driver of the car is at risk of causing an accident as he watches the DVD. Second, the porn is now being shown in public, as those around the car can see the DVD player. Third, drivers behind the car are trying to get close enough to see the flicks, and are creating potential hazards.
Recently, the driver of a car in New York was arrested for breaking the state laws prohibiting watching TV while driving, and for exhibiting sexually explicit material in public. It seems the man had a DVD titled "Chocolate Foam" playing on the passenger-side sun visor, and on the screens set into the car's headrests as he drove past a police car. Most states have similar laws on their books.
Another caller described a van that was set up with a big screen TV, and as she strolled by she could see that the people sitting in the van were watching a porn flick. The van had a sign that said something about "Let Us Cater Your Affair."
Call me a fuddy duddy...old fashioned, out of step with the times or a lot of cruder names, but this seems like a pretty stupid trend to me. Where in the world did our common sense go?? I really don't want to be driving near someone who is invested in a porn flick and guiding thousands of pounds of steel down the street. And....I definitely don't want my kids or grand kids put in a position where they can't avoid seeing porn.
I don't usually want to add more laws to the books, but if we need more specific ordinances to get these jerks off the streets, then, by all means, add them. Better yet, ACT on the laws that exist, and let people know this is inappropriate behavior. I'm astounded that they need to be told!
Comments (8)
...well that should up your hits once the search engines kick in :^)...
...there is some rule (law) in ingerland about this - it started because of coaches (buses) showing philums and distracting other cars on motorways...unfortunately I don't know the law :^)...sorry :^(...
Posted by billy | March 11, 2004 12:20 PM
Posted on March 11, 2004 12:20
Porn, Disney or what have you, DVD players in vehicles are a bad idea. Way more distracting than radios and even cell phones. Not to mention the fact that they attract the attention of those around them.
Personally, I think they should be banned.
Posted by Wichi Dude | March 11, 2004 7:49 PM
Posted on March 11, 2004 19:49
I heard about that on the news one night and laughed, although not funny with the potiential of other drivers safety and told hubby it was official we were not going to get a DVD in a vehicle or else I'd never see him inside *smile*.
Posted by Jamie | March 12, 2004 11:07 AM
Posted on March 12, 2004 11:07
Porn in vehicles is WRONG... there is, as you say too much exposure to others around the vehicle. Now, DVD's in vehicles in general, I am NOT against that. I live at the end of a highway that is nearly 5 hours to the next city. (there is wee towns in between here and that city). Now... with children the advent of movies in the vehicle just shortens that road (or any long road trip).... face it, Canada and the US are huge, you can have very very long road trips.
We do not have a DVD player in the vehicle, but I did use the laptop to show DVD's on the trip we took in December (power adapter so we had constant power, and a sound adapter plugged into the vehicles sound) ... the kids made it down that long road in a more pleasant state of mind.
I see nothing wrong with a DVD for the PASSENGERS of a vehicle, as long as the content is kept in decent ratings so as not to infringe on what is acceptable to the majority of people... as the DVD in the vehicle is potentially seen by other members of the public.
Posted by Desiree | March 13, 2004 11:53 AM
Posted on March 13, 2004 11:53
This new thing is a direct result of the tough noise ordinance laws nationwide concerning loud car stereos.
People are expressing themselves through
the porn now. As long as the monitor is not visible to the driver, it is perfectly legal. The solution: remove all laws concerning window tint. Make these drivers use dark window film to prevent outside viewing.
Posted by John | March 13, 2004 8:36 PM
Posted on March 13, 2004 20:36
That would resolve the problem, but you know the police will never go for it. They are not going to approach any vehicle with tinted windows which prevent them from seeing who or what is in the interior. I suspect we will ultimately see a law that prevents drivers from watching DVDs, talking on the phone, reading the newspaper or eating as they drive.
Posted by Buffy | March 13, 2004 10:31 PM
Posted on March 13, 2004 22:31
I find it scary just to wait at a light with a vehicle in which I cannot see the driver's face. I don't know whether they know of my existence (very important in turning situations) or whether they are pointing a gun (I'm not very worried about this but...) or what the heck is going on. I hate intruding on freedoms, but I support the cops on this one. I don't want them to have to approach a car/vehicle into which they cannot see.
Posted by Cop Car | March 14, 2004 11:13 AM
Posted on March 14, 2004 11:13
Watch your DVDs at home.....as for porn, I can't see why anybody would need to watch that while driving. (Or maybe I'm just stupid!)
Posted by Dr. D. | March 15, 2004 8:09 AM
Posted on March 15, 2004 08:09