DVD earth wiring...legal or not?
Discussion
I've just replaced the factory head unit on my Boxster with a double-unit with built in bluetooth, DAB, DVD etc. Let me get one thing crystal clear...I am a sensible middle aged bloke, and I would not for one second even think about driving along watching a DVD on the head unit as that would be utterly moronic.
However, to save me taking the entire interior to bits, I've taken the "handbrake sensor" wire down to earth. This wire is designed to prevent muppets watching DVDs unless the handbrake is on and the vehicle stationary, however by taking it to earth the unit does have full functionality regardless of the handbrake position.
However, I know in some countries (Australia for example) this is a massive illegal no-no in it's own right, and you'd potentially face prosecution if your vehicle was found to be wired in this way.
What is the situation in the UK? Is it legal to have the unit wired in as I have done it?
Again, for the record, I would NEVER watch DVDs whilst driving, and in fact when I get the interior trim panels resprayed (factory colour of course) in the summer I'll probably run the wire down to the handbrake anyway.
However, to save me taking the entire interior to bits, I've taken the "handbrake sensor" wire down to earth. This wire is designed to prevent muppets watching DVDs unless the handbrake is on and the vehicle stationary, however by taking it to earth the unit does have full functionality regardless of the handbrake position.
However, I know in some countries (Australia for example) this is a massive illegal no-no in it's own right, and you'd potentially face prosecution if your vehicle was found to be wired in this way.
What is the situation in the UK? Is it legal to have the unit wired in as I have done it?
Again, for the record, I would NEVER watch DVDs whilst driving, and in fact when I get the interior trim panels resprayed (factory colour of course) in the summer I'll probably run the wire down to the handbrake anyway.
Years ago I've drove a vehicle in the UK with a written exemption from displaying a TV picture where the driver could see it. Its successor didn't have one but whether that was oversight or the rules changed I don't know.
Used sensibly, you won't get nicked as it's not the sort of thing that gets looked for, but a key switch may be a sensible addition.
Used sensibly, you won't get nicked as it's not the sort of thing that gets looked for, but a key switch may be a sensible addition.
Slidingpillar said:
Years ago I've drove a vehicle in the UK with a written exemption from displaying a TV picture where the driver could see it. Its successor didn't have one but whether that was oversight or the rules changed I don't know.
Used sensibly, you won't get nicked as it's not the sort of thing that gets looked for, but a key switch may be a sensible addition.
It doesn't need the addition of a key switch, it just needs to be wired up to the handbrake as the instructions recommend.Used sensibly, you won't get nicked as it's not the sort of thing that gets looked for, but a key switch may be a sensible addition.
Glad you are sensible OP unlike a chap who i followed up the slip road off the M42 with the A5, I could see the screens from a long way back, when i puled up next to him at the red light i noticed the BOOM BOOM BOOM coming from the car as well, there he was with a Bollywood Movie in mid flow, one screen hanging from the interior mirror, one on his sunvisor and one on the passenger sun visor!
Guys
A difference of opinions here...may I ask if anyone is BiB/traffic and this is fact rather than opinion?
TBH I doubt I will ever use the DVD function regardless of location or motion! I bought the unit so I can connect my phone for handsfree calling and music/nav access and get DAB radio. I suspect even if I was parked up somewhere, watching a film would kill the battery anyway.
Only reason I needed to connect the wire was to upload data from USB, as it needs to be "brake on" for this function too. I don't even listen to music that much...I tend to prefer the flat six howling as my soundtrack anyway!!
A difference of opinions here...may I ask if anyone is BiB/traffic and this is fact rather than opinion?
TBH I doubt I will ever use the DVD function regardless of location or motion! I bought the unit so I can connect my phone for handsfree calling and music/nav access and get DAB radio. I suspect even if I was parked up somewhere, watching a film would kill the battery anyway.
Only reason I needed to connect the wire was to upload data from USB, as it needs to be "brake on" for this function too. I don't even listen to music that much...I tend to prefer the flat six howling as my soundtrack anyway!!
Back in the day when I was really into my in car audio stuff I had a double DIN Alpine headunit that was similarly wired, and I always used to play music videos on it while I was driving. Never crashed or came close to it, but as distractions go it's obviously not a bright idea 
To answer the OP: it's not specifically illegal for it to be wired to bypass the handbrake safety. Common sense will naturally prevail - if BiB's catch sight of it displaying anything obviously not navigation based while you're driving you could conceivably be done for not being in proper control, or DWDCA or something I'd imagine.
To answer the OP: it's not specifically illegal for it to be wired to bypass the handbrake safety. Common sense will naturally prevail - if BiB's catch sight of it displaying anything obviously not navigation based while you're driving you could conceivably be done for not being in proper control, or DWDCA or something I'd imagine.
Edited by Durzel on Monday 26th January 15:55
As long as the driver can't see the screen when a video is playing it's no problem. And since you've already said several times that you don't intend to watch movies whilst driving, you will be fine.
There is no legal requirement in this country to 'disable' the ability to play video whilst driving.
There is no legal requirement in this country to 'disable' the ability to play video whilst driving.
BertBert said:
What if the passenger was watching it and the driver ignoring it, is that illegal?
Bert
Yes, because it's the act of playing something on the screen rather than the watching of itBert
JLR get round this by some sort of filter that blanks the screen from the drivers view in motion, but allows the passenger to view it still, but that would be well known by BiB if they've come across it before
Construction and Use regs said:
109.—(1) No person shall drive, or cause or permit to be driven, a motor vehicle on a road, if the driver is in such a position as to be able to see, whether directly or by reflection, a television receiving apparatus or other cinematographic apparatus used to display anything other than information—
(a) about the state of the vehicle or its equipment;
(b) about the location of the vehicle and the road on which it is located;
(c) to assist the driver to see the road adjacent to the vehicle; or
(d) to assist the driver to reach his destination.
(2) In this regulation “television receiving apparatus” means any cathode ray tube carried on a vehicle and on which there can be displayed an image derived from a television broadcast, a recording or a camera or computer.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regul...(a) about the state of the vehicle or its equipment;
(b) about the location of the vehicle and the road on which it is located;
(c) to assist the driver to see the road adjacent to the vehicle; or
(d) to assist the driver to reach his destination.
(2) In this regulation “television receiving apparatus” means any cathode ray tube carried on a vehicle and on which there can be displayed an image derived from a television broadcast, a recording or a camera or computer.
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