S2423 — An Act relative to the use of video screens while operating a motor vehicle

Summary

An Act relative to the use of video screens while operating a motor vehicle

Bill Text

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The bill modifies existing laws regarding television and video displays in vehicles, while introducing new regulations on mobile electronic device usage and certain exceptions.

• Chapter 90, Section 13

  No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast which is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or which is visible to the driver while operating such motor vehicle.

  This change removes the prior prohibition on driving with a television in the vehicle, effectively legalizing the practice under specified conditions.

• Chapter 90, Section 13B(a)

  No operator of a motor vehicle shall use a mobile electronic device to access social media or use camera functions, including video calls.

  This addition prohibits drivers from using mobile electronic devices for social media and video calls while driving.

• Chapter 90, Section 13D

  (a) No motor vehicle registered in the commonwealth shall be equipped with, nor shall be used therein, a television receiver, video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at a point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is operating and the monitor, screen, or display is visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.

  This new section prohibits the installation or operation of certain video displays in vehicles to prevent distractions while driving.

• Chapter 90, Section 13D

  The prohibitions contained in this subsection shall not, however, include: 1. Electronic displays used in conjunction with vehicle navigation and mapping systems, or as part of a digital dispatch system; 2. Closed circuit video monitors designed to operate only in conjunction with dedicated video cameras and used in rear-view systems on trucks, motor homes, and other motor vehicles; 3. Television receivers or monitors used in government-owned vehicles by law-enforcement officers in the course of their official duties; 4. Visual displays used to enhance or supplement the driver’s view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle; 5. A vehicle information display; 6. A visual display used to enhance or supplement a driver’s view of vehicle occupants; 7. Television-type receiving equipment used exclusively for safety or traffic engineering information; or 8. A television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a moving image, if that equipment is factory-installed and has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle operator is performing one or more driving tasks, disables the equipment so that such moving images are not visible to the motor vehicle operator except as a visual display described in subsections 1 through 7.

  This addition specifies exceptions to the prohibition on video displays in vehicles, detailing conditions under which certain types of displays are permissible.

• Chapter 90, Section 13D(b)

  Except for displays explicitly authorized in subsection b, no driver of any motor vehicle shall view any motion picture or similar video display while driving.

  This prohibits drivers from watching movies or video displays while operating the vehicle, enhancing road safety.

Sponsors

• Mark C. Montigny · Primary

Subjects