Gone were the days where the only way to avoid the inevitable calls of “are we there yet?” is an intense “I spy” game with the kids. Back in those days, the only game for quarrelling siblings was to see how many red or blue cars they could see for the chance to win some candy. Older children answer crossword puzzles while adults read books or talked to each other.
However, modern technology has innovated the way children spend their time inside a vehicle during long trips.
Types of in-car entertainment devices
For children, the most popular in-car entertainment system is a DVD player playing their favourite movie or TV shows. Some cars are manufactured with pre-installed LCD players embedded into the back of the headrest of the front seats. For cars that don’t have them, owners can purchase DVD players that can be strapped to the headrest or held by the user.
Some mobile devices also double as in-car entertainment systems. Apps and games available for phones and tablets are endless sources of entertainment for children and adults alike. Cars also have entertainment systems that accept CDs and DVDs, as well as attachment ports for modern MP3 music players. Children will be able to listen to their favourite music tracks to sing along with or lull them to sleep.
For adults, satellite navigation systems or SATNavs enable drivers to get directions and check their exact position. Other cars have pre-installed climate control systems to heat or cool the seats and temperature inside the car. Mobile devices can also double as movie players, music players, and mini game consoles. Most mobile phones also offer hands-free usage capability, that enable drivers to receive calls or make calls even while driving.
Risks posed by in-car entertainment devices
Some in-car entertainment systems pose a serious threat to the passengers of the car, and even third parties.
Receiving calls or making calls using a hands-free application can be harmless enough, but if the driver gets too distracted, he might cause an accident or figure in one. A car travelling at 40kmph will travel 22 metres in the 2 seconds it takes to check a text message or operate the mobile phone. A car going at 100kmph will be travelling the length of an Olympic swimming pool in that same amount of time. Much can happen at that space—a random person crossing or another car swerving.
Taking your eyes from the road, no matter how short a time, can lead to drastic results. As for strapped DVD players in the back of the front seats, a study conducted in Germany by the safety company DEKRA revealed that a car travelling at 18mph, when bumped from behind, will cause the Velcro straps of the DVD player to tear and hurtle the device straight to the head of the person in front of it. Such an incident can lead to concussions and even severe injuries to the persons sitting on the backseats. This happened even when the DVD player was strapped correctly and checked by technicians.
Some might argue that this is just a freak accident and the pros outweigh any risk. It is however, well worth exploring more traditional forms of entertainment for children. Books, magazines, even a good old paper and pen, are often overlooked in favour of newer in-car technology. Children’s brains need to be nurtured so sometimes it’s best to switch off the television, switch off the radio and just talk or play spoken games. It’s definitely the safer option and you might be rewarded with some precious memories to boot!
What do you do to entertain your children when you’re on the road?
