New In-Car Technologies Entertain and Keep Drivers and Passengers Safe

ARLINGTON, Va.--Nov. 2, 20051, 2005--As families hit the road this holiday season, drivers are turning to mobile electronics to keep them and their passengers safe, says the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)). These products are designed to help drivers watch the road while keeping everyone entertained.

Mobile video and GPS navigation systems are quickly becoming must-have tools inside the vehicle. Studies show that fiddling with items such as maps and dealing with unruly children stand toward the top of the list of major driver distractions. In the 2000 Network of Employers for Traffic Safety Survey, which surveyed 1,026 drivers, talking to passengers, eating and reading, as well as picking up something that fell ranked above all else when it came to in-vehicle distractions. Mobile video and GPS systems help eliminate these issues by providing an easy way to keep children entertained while in the car and enable "hands-free" navigation for drivers.

"Silence is really golden when it comes to a rear-seat entertainment system. As any parent will attest, disorderly children can really be a distraction on those long road trips," said Gary Shapiro, CEA's President and CEO. "With turn-by-turn voice prompts and point-to-point visual mapping, GPS navigation systems allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road rather than worrying with folding and unfolding maps."

Consumers are already realizing the benefits of mobile video and GPS navigation products, according to recent sales figures released by CEA. By the end of the 2005 holiday shopping rush, both product categories combined are expected to reach $907 million (manufacturer-to-dealer) in dollar sales - a 16 percent increase over last year. CEA expects combined total sales to reach $1 billion by the end of 2006.

"What we're seeing is that consumers are actually realizing the benefits of in-car entertainment and navigation systems. And like anything, when used properly, these products are great tools for helping drivers focus on the road. Consumers need to remember to follow state laws and common sense when putting these products to work," Shapiro added.

For guidelines on the correct usage of these products, CEA is promoting its C.A.R. acronym: Consult your owner's manual for proper use. Assure that your system is safely installed by a Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP). Remember, video monitors that are visible to the driver should be used for information only while the vehicle is in gear. Drive safely by letting your passengers be the ones entertained.

This push is part of an overall effort undertaken by the association to promote and encourage the safe installation and use of in-vehicle electronics. In 2004, the association issued a "Statement on Mobile Video" installation. The statement says in-dash monitors can be installed in the front-seat section of a vehicle if they utilize a locking mechanism that prevents the viewing of video sources for entertainment when the vehicle is in operation. The monitors, however, can be used to display vehicle information, system control, rear or side observation, as well as information related to GPS navigation.

The statement also says video screens inside a vehicle can receive entertainment video sources if used with a rear-seat entertainment system. "Even before these categories began to take hold with consumers, the association began implementing correct usage procedures to ensure that the products are utilized properly," Shapiro continued. "It's about keeping drivers and passengers safe. That's what the mobile electronics industry is attempting to do with today's new technologies."

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $122 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

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