Mio in collaboration with Navman recently announced a completely novel range of sat navs that comes equipped with an in-built Freeview Television. This was done with the ideology to provide drivers with the facility of watching some television while taking a break from driving providing drivers with some kind of relief from constant driving exercise. However, this clever idea was strongly opposed and criticised by the RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents). As per the RoSPA manager Duncan Vernon, currently the law is against the use of televisions in cars as it may hinder one’s driving ability leading to accidents.
When these latest gadgets were tested; it was found that the unit displays warnings and alerts while driving. If the TV tuner is still ON while the car is in driving mode a second warning is flashed across the screen. RoSPA officials argue that the TV tuner must have an auto switch OFF function when the car is in driving mode; but this is not the case. RoSPA’s main argument is on the grounds that though it is not a dangerous watching television while waiting for someone, it is likely to cause accidents when used at the wrong time. They thus want a facility wherein drivers will not be provided access to the tuner while the car is in driving mode. This is because there is a danger of minority of people may use the sat nav in television mode while driving which could prove to be a major distraction.
Mio has positively responded to the safety concerns raised in tune with their latest Freeview compatible sat navs. Although it is a known fact that television is not to be viewed while driving; Mio and Navman has provided this functioning of television viewing keeping in mind the needs of everyone and not just the driver. They claim that the unit has a numerous safety measures providing users with ample amount of warnings before they are able to access the TV function while the car is in motion. This notifies that the final decision about one’s safety lies it their own hands. The device will not function unless the driver has accepted and acknowledged the safety warnings. This safety warning is to be receipted only if the passengers and children in the rear of the car need to view TV. Else the TV screen goes blank as soon as the user exceeds five mph speed.
Amidst all these criticisms and safety concerns the Mio Navman Spirit TV is expected to go on sale soon with its TV tuner functionality active and working. The models of the Mio Navman Spirit TV range include V505, V735, Spirit 500 and Spirit 300.
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