Commuting with Porn

[gonzo]

As if listening to the radio, putting on make up and conducting business on cell phones are not enough of a distraction for American drivers, driving with porn can now be added to the list.

Tracy Pope of Aiken, S.C., is facing obscenity charges after being arrested for watching an X-rated DVD while driving.

At the time of the arrest, police confiscated other X-rated DVDs from Pope's car.

"Screens are theoretically supposed to be behind the driver, so they are not tempted to view the screen," said Cal State Fullerton Police Operations Lt. Tom Gehrls. "Anything that takes your eyes off the road causes traffic accidents."

A similar incident occurred Feb. 17, 2004 in Schenectady, N.Y., when 35-year-old Andre Gainey was arrested for viewing the pornographic film "Chocolate Foam" from the passenger-side visor of his Mercedes Benz.

The film was also being played on the headrests, as police had a clear view of the subject material, according to MSNBC.

"I think the situation basically suggests two questions: Is it safe to drive when you're distracted, and is it legal to have porn in the car?" said communications law Professor William Vogeler. "Any distraction, including watching porn, is unsafe driving."

Vogeler went on to discuss the hazards that driving with adult material presents.

"If the person is driving while distracted and then they crash, then they are guilty of negligence," Vogeler said.

Some motorists find that the problem is the technology itself.

"I don't think that there should be DVD players in the car at all," said business major Shannon Wright.

Listening to music and changing CDs while driving causes enough of a distraction for business major Micah Navarro.

"I can barely drive while eating my hamburger, let alone watching porn," Navarro said.

If vehicle owners have difficulty discerning what qualifies as appropriate content for viewing, Vogeler suggests using the rating system as a guide.

"I think that it's a matter of discretion. If it is porn, violence or something with high sex content, then there could be something wrong with that," said communications major Catherine Teo. "As long as it is not visible to other people or exposing or harming anyone else, then it would be OK. If you're watching it in the backseat and no one can see you, then it's not a problem."

Gehrls said campus police haven't had any cases of motorists driving with explicit material.

"When driving, there's only one stick that you should be handling," said English major Mike Harper.