Driving Innovations That Help Keep Your Eyes on the Road - Not on the Kids

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (February 2002) - Picture this: You're driving down the highway with a load 
of boisterous children, 15 minutes late to your destination, your cell phone on the dash ringing 
incessantly when traffic comes to a standstill.  Stress? In capital letters!

A host of clever new in-vehicle products can provide behind-the-wheel relief for stressed 
parents and other drivers such as urban commuters. Many of these pressure-reducers have been 
developed by member companies of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, and are 
showcased on its www.enjoythedrive.com consumer Web site.

"Our member companies are right there with products to ease the hard hours more and more 
families are spending together on the road," says Chris Horn, SEMA's vice president of 
communications. "As heavy traffic, longer trips, time constraints and cranky kids drive in-car 
stress levels even higher, SEMA members have taken the lead in finding clever solutions for 
keeping children and other passengers entertained and helping drivers have a saner commute."

www.enjoythedrive.com has these suggestions to reduce stress and allow drivers to pay more 
attention to driving:

To soothe restless kids on the road, the compact and portable patented Mobile Video Traveler* 
from Meritt Electronics comes in a handy carrying bag and can be suspended between headrests for 
back seat viewing in any vehicle.  This model includes a 5.6-inch LCD monitor that can be viewed 
from multiple angles and plugged into a vehicle's 12-volt outlet.  Optional features include a 
built-in TV tuner and larger monitors up to 10.4 inches.  

The Game Traveler, also by Meritt Electronics, also works with Sony Playstation, Nintendo 64 and 
Sega Dreamcast.  Kids can play videos or video games and watch TV while on road trips, vacations 
or even sitting in heavy traffic.

For those families who want a built-in theater system to keep their kids entertained, TMI 
Products, Inc. offers a complete Back Seat Theater including a 6.8-inch color LCD screen, 
internal stereo speakers with deluxe grills, stereo transmitter for wireless transmission, and 
stereo VCP with 181 channel TV tuner, remote and all cables.  The system also has a DVD/MP3 
player option.

If you want your kids to be entertained but don't want to hear their music, they are bound to 
find these wireless headphones from Unwired Technology a blast while they listen to their 
favorite tunes.  No wires means that mom and dad don't have to worry about the little ones 
making a tangled mess, and better still, mom and dad can talk without feeling obligated to sing 
along with Barney over and over again.   The Platinum Series wireless system from Unwired 
Technology features a smaller transmitter and new headphone design and is in compliance with all 
quality control standards.

If you want to backup and see everything clearly behind you without having to worry about the 
kids or the dark tint on your back window obstructing your view, the Rearview Mirror with LCD 
Observation Panel is the answer.  Audiovox Specialized Applications' new patented replacement 
rearview mirror with integrated 2.8-inch built-in LCD panel displays clear color images from a 
color CCD camera while still retaining the mirror portion for standard rearview operation.  

Are your kids' toys and games getting in the way?  Try a Cargo Tote from Creekside Products 
which hangs off the headrest of either the back seat or front seat of a minivan or SUV.  It is 
great for storing toys, map books, emergency and safety kits and everything that needs to be out 
of the way, but within easy reach.  Your kids can have access to their favorite toys and games 
and won't need to bother you to find them.

Another option to keep items out of sight and out of reach of children, yet still easily 
accessible, is the two-piece overhead storage compartment from Pace-Edwards Co.  The 
Visor Shelf-It* fits snugly into place above the sun visors (no drilling required) of pickups, 
vans and SUVs equipped with a factory overhead console. A cargo net across the front keeps stuff 
from flying out when the driver stomps on the gas.

For those extra messy kids who spill their juice all over your interior, try Waterproof Seat 
Covers.  These heavy-duty vinyl coated nylon seat covers from Saddleman are sold individually. 
One of the most popular covers is the Emergency Seat Protector which comes in blue, black, gray 
and burgundy, and slips to fit any low or high-back bucket car seat for instant waterproof 
protection.  High-end Neoprene protective covers are also available with funky patterns and hip 
designs including flames and leopard print for those families who want to add some flair to 
their interior.

SEMA represents the $25 billion specialty automotive industry. The trade association has more 
than 4,900 member companies. It is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market 
growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry 
provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger 
cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. For more information call 909/396-0289; 
or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.