(a) No television screen or other device of a similar nature shall be installed or used in this state in any position or location in a motor vehicle where a moving image, other than text, may be visible to a person who is operating the vehicle and is properly restrained by such person's seat belt or where it may in any other manner interfere with the safe operation and control of the vehicle. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to screens or devices meeting one or more of the following criteria: (1) A closed video monitor that is used to assist the operator while backing, parking, maneuvering at a speed of not more than twelve miles per hour, or monitoring passengers seated rearward of the operator; (2) a video display unit or device that is capable of operation only when the vehicle is stationary and is automatically disabled whenever the wheels of the vehicle are in motion; (3) a video display unit or device that is used to enhance or supplement the operator's view of the roadway or to assist the operator in object detection; (4) a video display unit used for control or instrumentation purposes, to provide vehicle information, or to assist in the operation of navigation, related traffic, road and weather information functions; or (5) a video display unit or device that is installed in any emergency vehicle.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the driver of a commercial motor vehicle equipped with a garbage compactor, detachable container or a curbside recycling body may, when engaged in the activity of refuse collection on any public highway, use a closed video monitor for backing after such vehicle is shifted out of reverse and placed into forward motion, for such time as may be necessary to observe motor vehicles or pedestrians that may be behind such vehicle in a position that cannot be viewed using such vehicle's mirror system.

(c) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.

(1949, S. 1337d; P.A. 75-577, S. 60, 126; P.A. 84-215; P.A. 00-169, S. 6; P.A. 05-218, S. 25; P.A. 06-130, S. 12; 06-196, S. 286; P.A. 08-150, S. 12; P.A. 09-187, S. 48.)

History: P.A. 75-577 replaced provision re $100 maximum fine with statement that violation is an infraction; P.A. 84-215 permitted the installation or use of video display units for instrumentation purposes in motor vehicles; P.A. 00-169 authorized use of closed video monitor for backing; P.A. 05-218 changed “utilized” to “used” and changed “whenever” to “no later than fifteen seconds after”; P.A. 06-130 designated existing section as Subsec. (a) and added Subsecs. (b) re garbage and recycling vehicles and (c) re penalty, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting exception for closed video monitor for backing and by adding exception for certain devices installed by manufacturer of the motor vehicle; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (a) to delete exception for video display unit used for instrumentation purposes, to limit prohibition of television to location or position where moving image, other than text, may be visible to operator of vehicle who is properly restrained by seat belt, to delete exception for devices installed by vehicle manufacturer, to expand exemption for closed video monitor in Subdiv. (1), to add Subdiv. (4) to exempt video display unit used for specified purposes and Subdiv. (5) to exempt video display unit installed in emergency vehicle, and to make conforming changes.

Cited. 35 CS 659.