Forward motion camera

Latest Toyota Sahara has forward and side cameras standard using the in dash gps screen ,very handy when on rutted tracks , so I guess it must be OK
bob

I have seen vehicles with built in TV/Video screens in the cabin - rear seats for kids to watch and doubt that would be of any concern to anyone. I have a Dash Camera [accident/event] recording camera in my vehicle which is a forward looking screen. Such technology is becoming almost "must have" for many motorists. The very fact that Dash Cams are sold by the thousands in Australia every year, I wonder why there would be a problem with an automated Dash Cam system and it's screen. Whilst anything that distracts a driver from watching the road and surrounds ought be eliminated where reasonable to do so. In the case of GPS - many systems prevent you from making changes when mobile and that makes good sense to me. I understand that Motorcyclists are not allowed to mount a Go Pro or similar Camera on their helmets nowadays, I dont understand the reasons though.
Have you seen anything that suggests it is illegal to have a forward looking screen in a Vehicle?
Bob.

I rarely used the van one and as I also had one on the rear of the Cruiser I used that one to monitor the towbar and the hitch when travelling. Was also good for reversing onto the van when hooking up. Also had a switch on which camera feed I could use to the 4" screen I had on the dash,

O I understand what you want now. I have a switch on mine so that I can turn it on any time. Handy for checking a load on a trailer etc. Don't see a problem as long as you only use it when safe to do so. Usually mine is a bit too bright for use of more than a few seconds at night.

Bunny
It is against the law to have ANY VDU (Visual Display Unit) screen within sight of the driver of the vehicle UNLESS such VDU is a Drivers Aid.
As GPS units are a drivers aid, then they are allowed provided that the fitment of such does not encroach on the driver normal view of the road and surrounds. This also applies for some vehicles fitted with electronic, or Cathode Ray or LED, type instrument panels, and in Queensland at least has been ruled as applying to such things as the dispatch systems used in Taxis.
As mobile phones are not generally associated with GPS or advising the driver of vehicle functions then the screen on such constitutes an illegal VDU if it can be seen by the driver.
In answer to your specific question if you can argue that it is a 'drivers aid' then the answer would be yes, however I do not like your chances of winning that argument unless it was only operational for parking type assistance.
Hope this helps.
Athol


Just read the entire thread. It is not against the law to use a camera system to see what is following your van so long as you also have the required external mirrors that are capable of showing both rear corners of the van at the same time. I have such a camera system installed and such a system can only be described as , and meets every definition of, a Drivers Aid.

Enjoy your travels

Hi,
I have a switch on the dash that has ignition power that goes to the trigger wire of the reversing camera so I can check it anytime I like. Reverse cameras are normally wired to pick up power from your reversing light.
I have also wired a switch up that allows me to go between the camera on the car and the camera on the caravan which is all linked to the stereo screen.
Where it is very handy is that when hitching up and if you move forward a little you dont have the picture drop out because you selected first gear and then wait for it to come back on when you pick up reverse again and have to wait for the camera to come back on.

Dave

I don't know why anyone bothers to wire a camera to only come on in reverse , my cameras can be on anytime I want ,

This is the type of thing authorities don't want. Any screen in front of the driver that is used for entertainment or television station transmissions.

Her is an example of what they don't want, it is just a tad in the extreme though.

Retard behind the wheel

Bunny, posters have mentioned using a Rear View camera - a wonderful aid to seeing what is approaching in the distance and travelling behind you, quite legal, and as said you still require towing width mirrors. It is of some benefit when reversing - you will see the tree or close obstacle behind you.

A Reversing Camera has a much closer focus, and is usually pointed more towards the ground at the rear, to aid in reversing. The focus is not suitable for seeing traffic in the distance. Traffic will only come visibility when they are about to overtake you.

Finding somewhere suitable for the monitor on an already full dash can be an issue. One that substitutes for the rear vision mirror is one option, and after all what you would be using to see behind you if not towing a caravan.

Drove a school bus that had cameras that monitored the driver and passengers. Showed 2 pictures on the one screen.
Had to drive with the screen turned off as was classed as driving with a DVD going and would be classed as inattentive driving in the event of a accident.
It did not really matter as it was saved to hard disc anyway.
Cheers
Charlie

Something else to consider.
You can be nailed when playing a DVD only to the kids rear seat monitors.
Those monitors are visible to other vehicles around you and technically you are responsible. That from a cop.
Makes you wonder how they get away with flashing road signs etc.

It is perfectly legal to have a rear vision camera and screen operating all the time ..... mine does.

The ADRs and the state legeslations provide for this because, many of the Supercars have no internal rearvision appart from the video screen.

Cheers