Greg in Oceanside wrote on Apr 22, 2007 8:59 PM:As a parent of two young kids, I oftentimes wish I had one of those DVD players for my kids to watch rather than dealing with the nit-picking that all young children do from time to time that can be distracting when I’m in heavy traffic. However, some of these DVD players are actually a 'status-symbol.' For example, I came up on a young man driving alone in his Ford Expedition, with the big rims (I think you get the picture) and there were four DVD's running in the back headrests with no one else in the vehicle with him. A tad bit absurd if you ask me.

Ask wrote on Apr 22, 2007 10:19 PM:Its only going to get worse. Soon enough you'll have 30+ inch tv's which will be big enough for all to see a few cars back. The thing is, they DO distract, cant deny that. What can happen, person drive car with tv distracts another car and finally in accident. All while mom with 2 bratty kids in the Escalade hauls away not knowing what she caused.

Jay wrote on Apr 22, 2007 10:34 PM:I have seen these arranged so that they face forward from the rear seat so the driver can watch them in his mirror! How important of a program was it that I saw one commuter viewing? The evening news! Guess listening to it on the radio wasn't good enough for this driver who was the only occupant of the vehicle.

Balance wrote on Apr 22, 2007 10:50 PM:I'm not sure how I feel about these, but I know some parents who swear by them. Perhaps they can be designed so that the bright screen is less visible to other drivers.

Clueless wrote on Apr 23, 2007 6:14 AM:Mr. Downey should get over it. If he can't walk and chew gum at the same time, maybe he shouldn't be driving a car in the first place!

Bill wrote on Apr 23, 2007 7:52 AM:This is a reflection of our society, kids that feel they should always be entertained and parents who don't want to deal with thier kids. So now there is a TV in every room and even in the car.....good grief.

Nick wrote on Apr 23, 2007 8:09 AM:If Mr. Downey doesn't feel he is responsible enough to drive a vehicle safely without being distracted by a baseball movie maybe he should turn in his license. I would give the same advice to "Ask" who said that if a driver causes an accident because they were distracted by a DVD player, that somehow it would be the person driving the vehicle with the DVD would bare responsibility for the crash? Ridiculous. So you can drive safely with the stereo on, looking at billboards posted everywhere, talking on your cell phone, and drinking your Starbucks. No problem there. But you can't control yourself enough not to be distracted by a movie playing that you shouldn't be watching anyway? If not get off the road.

Doh wrote on Apr 23, 2007 8:22 AM:So we've resulted and broken down to kids. We cant control them, so we pacify them with a DVD that they have already watched 50 times. WOW!!!!

DISTRACTION, DISTRACTION, DISTRACTION wrote on Apr 23, 2007 8:52 AM:Key word here...DISTRACTION!!! not only are they are a distration to other drivers, but to the one inside of the vehicle it is in...not only these DVD players, but the GPS as well. I understand that the GPS can be a valuable tool when needed, but I have seen folks just about run into one another for lack of paying attention to the road while fiddling with one...Yes! I was in the vehicle with the person trying to use it...made for an unpleasant ride for me. I am all for having them in the vehicle, just be smarter about there usuage. Why does the screen have to be ceiling height, can't it be lower...perhaps in the center console area when the front arm rest is...on the back side of it of course :)

Opportunities Lost wrote on Apr 23, 2007 9:08 AM:Whatever happened to talking and playing traveling games with your kids? How did we ever survive the old, boring existences that we all came from anyway? One has to wonder...

Ask wrote on Apr 23, 2007 12:17 PM:This is just the beginning of the game. Cars are now coming with satellite options. Next you're gonna having people watching sports, the news etc...... Hey, whats the score to the chargers? Let me tailgate this person. Oh, did you see that hit. Lets get closer........... Nick, in theory you are correct. But it would be too easy to have a portable dvd player that strapped to the front seats.

Don wrote on Apr 23, 2007 1:25 PM:Why is it the people with no life want to dictate to everybody else how to live their lives. What light bulbs to use. Only use 1 sheet of toilet Paper. Drive a Yugo while I fly in my private jet. Lets fix EVERYTHING so everybody will have no life like you.

Bob wrote on Apr 23, 2007 3:17 PM:How come I see all these cars crashing behind me when I'm playing hard core porn on my Excalade's DVD?

Karen wrote on Apr 23, 2007 6:11 PM:I prefer my son look out the window and enjoy the scenery. There is a time for movies, a time for outdoor activities. My sister got him a portable DVD player which he watched one movie on over a five day road trip. He preferred reading his kids Rand-McNally atlas and playing with his etch a sketch! To each his own...just sharing my opinion. (I gave the DVD player back to my sister) It was never used again.

Frank wrote on Apr 24, 2007 9:26 AM:When I was a kid in the 50's and 60's I used to enjoy just looking out the window at the world that I had yet to know. That was the treat in driving anywhere. Heck, I still do. People who need music, phones, TV should stay at home. Driving is (or was) a good time for quiet contemplation. It used to be a joy to drive and also relaxing. Now it is a huge danger. I just lost another friend, killed by a teen criminal running from the police, hit my pal at 100mph. Left his wife with two kids alone and penniless. The kid's crime: minor burlary attempt, probably would have gotten off lightly. Not to add fuel to the fire but also as a matter of fact, he was an Hispanic alien. Seems like I covered three or more issues in one remark.

To "Bob" wrote on Apr 25, 2007 4:12 PM:I suppose your kids are riding in the back when it's playing too. Grow up already.