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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 mo

by 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...

by tremon 1y ago

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...