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I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic but this sounds absurd to me. Operating a phone while driving - whether it is mounted or not - is irresponsible. Period.

deleted 1y ago
[deleted]
_aavaa_ 1y ago
The same laws should extend to the 18” tablets many cars seem to be going towards.
- whiplash451 1y ago
  Many cars have functions that are disabled on the screen when the car is moving. The carmaker can enforce that on the car’s screen. It can’t be enforced on a phone.
tremon 1y ago
I don't really disagree, but cars are still allowed to be sold with mounted touchscreens from the factory. I don't see a good rational reason why operating a mounted touchscreen phone should be illegal when operating the wipers or AC is done the same way.
- kgermino 1y ago
  In theory those screens are regulated to be safe to use while driving - my car for example has a lot of more complex features disabled while the car is in gear - while the phone does not have the same safeguards. Whether those safeguards are effective is a separate, albeit critical, question
  - tremon 1y ago
    But that's an equally bad solution, because usually the touchscreen is located on the center console and can also be operated from the passenger seat. Disabling touchscreen features is needlessly restrictive when there are two people in the car.
- mhb 1y ago
  Yes. The obvious conclusion is that touchscreens for those functions should also be illegal. It would be better if they didn't need to be illegal and, if their use resulted in an accident, the user would be liable, but concluding that would be challenging.
- mingus88 1y ago
  My vehicle UI is not a general purpose internet device. I can access vehicle features and that’s pretty much it. My car doesn’t even let you open the preferences for Spotify unless you shift to park. I can’t watch TikTok or message people. I literally saw a dude watching a movie on his phone on the freeway the other day. People need consequences for that level of irresponsibility and I’d prefer it happen before there is a collision.
- dlcarrier 1y ago
  Touch screens built into cars are dangerous, too: https://newsroom.aaa.com/2017/10/new-vehicle-infotainment-systems-create-increased-distractions-behind-wheel/ https://newsroom.aaa.com/2017/10/new-vehicle-infotainment-sy... We'd probably be better off if they were illegal, although regulations might not be necessary as customer backlash has been enough to get car makers to go back to safer buttons and knobs: https://www.wired.com/story/why-car-brands-are-finally-switching-back-to-buttons/ https://www.wired.com/story/why-car-brands-are-finally-switc...
standardUser 1y ago
Given the 'single swipe' restriction, it's impossible not to extend that argument to changing the radio, adjusting your seat or turning on the AC.
- bluefirebrand 1y ago
  I think the difference is that changing tactile knobs and dials and buttons can be done without looking Touchscreens lack that ability, you have to look at them to interact with them
  - abeindoria 1y ago
    There are cars that are primarily based on touch.
    - btmiller 1y ago
      Yep and they should never have been allowed to exist. Tactile operation keeps your eyes where they need to be.
      - bluefirebrand 1y ago
        I think you are in agreement. Cars based on touch are good, yes? Not touchscreens?
- whiplash451 1y ago
  You can manipulate all these with minimal or no disruption of the driver. There are designed to be so.
  - tzs 1y ago
    What's the practical difference between changing the radio station on the built-in entertainment system and pressing the "next track" button on a playlist playing on a phone which is mounted on a dashboard mount in the same general area as the built-in entertainment system? Playing the next track on the phone may actually be less distracting than changing the radio station because many built-in radios lack voice control whereas on the phone you might be able to use the phones voice assistant to change the track.
userbinator 1y ago
Depends what you're using the phone for. Navigating? That's equivalent to a dedicated GPS unit, and AFAIK those have always been legal. On the other hand, if you're doomscrolling TikTok then it's a distraction regardless how the phone is held.

deleted 1y ago

[deleted]

_aavaa_ 1y ago

The same laws should extend to the 18” tablets many cars seem to be going towards.

whiplash451 1y ago
Many cars have functions that are disabled on the screen when the car is moving. The carmaker can enforce that on the car’s screen. It can’t be enforced on a phone.

tremon 1y ago

I don't really disagree, but cars are still allowed to be sold with mounted touchscreens from the factory. I don't see a good rational reason why operating a mounted touchscreen phone should be illegal when operating the wipers or AC is done the same way.

kgermino 1y ago
In theory those screens are regulated to be safe to use while driving - my car for example has a lot of more complex features disabled while the car is in gear - while the phone does not have the same safeguards. Whether those safeguards are effective is a separate, albeit critical, question
- tremon 1y ago
  But that's an equally bad solution, because usually the touchscreen is located on the center console and can also be operated from the passenger seat. Disabling touchscreen features is needlessly restrictive when there are two people in the car.
mhb 1y ago
Yes. The obvious conclusion is that touchscreens for those functions should also be illegal. It would be better if they didn't need to be illegal and, if their use resulted in an accident, the user would be liable, but concluding that would be challenging.
mingus88 1y ago
My vehicle UI is not a general purpose internet device. I can access vehicle features and that’s pretty much it. My car doesn’t even let you open the preferences for Spotify unless you shift to park. I can’t watch TikTok or message people. I literally saw a dude watching a movie on his phone on the freeway the other day. People need consequences for that level of irresponsibility and I’d prefer it happen before there is a collision.
dlcarrier 1y ago
Touch screens built into cars are dangerous, too: https://newsroom.aaa.com/2017/10/new-vehicle-infotainment-systems-create-increased-distractions-behind-wheel/ https://newsroom.aaa.com/2017/10/new-vehicle-infotainment-sy... We'd probably be better off if they were illegal, although regulations might not be necessary as customer backlash has been enough to get car makers to go back to safer buttons and knobs: https://www.wired.com/story/why-car-brands-are-finally-switching-back-to-buttons/ https://www.wired.com/story/why-car-brands-are-finally-switc...

standardUser 1y ago

Given the 'single swipe' restriction, it's impossible not to extend that argument to changing the radio, adjusting your seat or turning on the AC.

bluefirebrand 1y ago
I think the difference is that changing tactile knobs and dials and buttons can be done without looking Touchscreens lack that ability, you have to look at them to interact with them
- abeindoria 1y ago
  There are cars that are primarily based on touch.
  - btmiller 1y ago
    Yep and they should never have been allowed to exist. Tactile operation keeps your eyes where they need to be.
    - bluefirebrand 1y ago
      I think you are in agreement. Cars based on touch are good, yes? Not touchscreens?
whiplash451 1y ago
You can manipulate all these with minimal or no disruption of the driver. There are designed to be so.
- tzs 1y ago
  What's the practical difference between changing the radio station on the built-in entertainment system and pressing the "next track" button on a playlist playing on a phone which is mounted on a dashboard mount in the same general area as the built-in entertainment system? Playing the next track on the phone may actually be less distracting than changing the radio station because many built-in radios lack voice control whereas on the phone you might be able to use the phones voice assistant to change the track.

userbinator 1y ago

Depends what you're using the phone for. Navigating? That's equivalent to a dedicated GPS unit, and AFAIK those have always been legal. On the other hand, if you're doomscrolling TikTok then it's a distraction regardless how the phone is held.