Jaguar XJ's dual-view infotainment display "technically illegal" in the United States?
2010 Jaguar XJ – Click above for high-res image gallery
There's a lot to love about the all-new Jaguar XJ, but if the slick dual-view console screen system was one of the elements that caught your attention amidst the big cat's debut, you may be in for a disappointment. With the dual-view system, Jaguar devised a way to let the passenger watch a movie, for instance, while the driver sees the navigation system. The idea is to keep the passenger entertained without distracting the driver, offering up the best of both worlds. Problem is, it may be illegal in the United States.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration currently prohibits the display of entertainment in the center console. The idea is that it would distract the driver, and they're right. However while the XJ's display may be "technically illegal", as Jaguar's noted designer Ian Callum admits – that is, by the letter of the law – the whole point of the system is that it removes the distraction from the driver's eyesight, thereby complying with the spirit of the law. Whether the NHTSA will change the regulations to allow the system, however, remains to be seen. Think they ought to let this one pass, or is the law the law and that's that? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XJ
[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Zakspeed 1:51PM (8/09/2009)
Considering how many idiots there are on the road, this dual thingy is just asking for trouble
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j 2:17PM (8/09/2009)
I completely agree, and really, why do people need to watch movies when they're in the car? I can understand this being useful on a long trip, but how many Jaguar XJ drivers actually drive long distances (versus flying) and take their $100k cars when they do?
some1 2:43PM (8/09/2009)
your right! it is asking for trouble!
ban this tech, so when someone wants their passenger to be able to watch videos, they will just go out and buy an in dash dvd player, which will distract the driver in the end anyway...
Banning this wont help prevent anything, if people want video up front, they will get it. this at least mitigates the problem a bit
willyolio 3:05PM (8/09/2009)
i can totally foresee a (rich) dumbass driver leaning all the way over to see what the passenger just laughed at while watching a movie.
Noidor 3:47PM (8/09/2009)
Well think about what you're saying. What are your main points for keeping this illegal? I see zero logic in your statement.
How do you see this system making roads less safe? It is physically impossible for driver to see or hear what is being played, as for leaning over part, you'd have execute a gymnastic style maneuver to catch a glipse. Suggesting this, is almost like suggesting that car manufacturers should install glass barriers between front and rear sets because drive might climb in backseat and watch a movie there while operating a wheel with ropes. Totally moronic. But it's okay because in US that's what we have, a neurotic and paranoid society - obessessed with stupid illusion of safety.
geo.stewart 5:39PM (8/09/2009)
yeah, with arm candy like that, I'm going to be interested in whats on the screen.
There are WAY too many other possible distractions that are 'allowed' in cars on US roads for this to be an issue. This is no different than someone watching a movie on their ifruit.
sparrk 5:46PM (8/09/2009)
you should put W. Bush in office again , he will keep you safe !
Quantumphysics 10:17PM (8/09/2009)
FIRST OF ALL, THERE HASN'T BEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF CAR ACCIDENTS DO TO PEOPLE CURRENTLY DRIVING WITH NAVIGATION SYSTEMS.
People get into accidents mostly cause they are using cellphones or drunk.
This dual view screen completely removes the media visuals for the driver. How is this any different than what we have right now?
There are people riding around with TV's in their REAR VIEW MIRROR for God's sakes.
Craig 12:39AM (8/10/2009)
American idiots that is :)
Gregory 1:57PM (8/10/2009)
I totally agree; I would be distracted by that sort of thing myself. Besides which, anything that is "technically illegal" is still illegal, no matter how you word it.
klitorisaurus 11:37PM (8/10/2009)
"But it's okay because in US that's what we have, a neurotic and paranoid society - obessessed with stupid illusion of safety. "
Exactly!
allaman 1:55PM (8/09/2009)
I think the technology is great and if it really does work as intended, the wording of the law should be changed. If this technology could trickle down into more affordable models, I see lots of families going for this option.
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Kiiks 2:48AM (8/10/2009)
Whereas I will just steer well clear of any new XJ's I see on the road.
phewop118 1:58PM (8/09/2009)
This should be allowed. In fact, there should be no laws banning entertainment in the center console while driving. Plenty of people find the hacks and watch movies while driving anyways.
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akboss302 8:14AM (8/10/2009)
concealed weapons should be allowed also, plenty of people saw the barrels off their shotguns anyways.
Clavius 1:59PM (8/09/2009)
Good idea but I can see people getting into accidents trying to see what their passenger is laughing at. Also wouldnt the audio be pumping through the cars system anyways so to a extent the driver will be distracted regardless right?
Be different if the screen was able to tilt to either the left or right hence the driver or passenger can't see the screen if the other is using it. That and the video media would only be enabled if tilted in the passenger direction. I know it would defeat the intent of what they are doing but would be a neat idea I think.
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Nick 2:42PM (8/09/2009)
My god, did you ever learn to read, or are you just too lazy to read the text??
The entertainment content is NOT VIEWABLE by the driver......it's ONLY the passengers who can see it. As for the sound, the driver can hear it no matter where the screen is.
Clavius 6:10PM (8/09/2009)
And you didnt learn to read either.. I said "trying to see.." as in the driver leaning over to see whats so funny or as to what just exploded. I get and understand the screen is most likely only viewable from the passenger side but sadly there are really stupid people in the world who drive and shall buy this car.
GT 9:47PM (8/09/2009)
"Good idea but I can see people getting into accidents trying to see what their passenger is laughing at. Also wouldnt the audio be pumping through the cars system anyways so to a extent the driver will be distracted regardless right?"
With that argument, the radio, rear entertainment systems and any passengers should be banned from vehicles as well, as their audio outputs may cause a distraction. I also believe that the driver has to reach very far to see the other side. (Like picking up something in the passenger footwell)
BenzBomber 2:03PM (8/09/2009)
Doesn't Mercedes have a similar system in the new S-Class? Or did they chicken out and not offer it in the US?
Here's the stupidity of this whole thing. You only have to do a quick search on google to find various companies that have software overrides for the current systems which shut out DVD viewing when you put the car in drive. So then, the distraction and concern are totally present. With a system like this, all the software in the world isn't going to override this and let the driver watch a movie while driving.
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