Experts Urge Laws Against Video Use While Driving

In Malaysia, road safety experts and enforcement authorities are calling for specific regulations to prohibit drivers from watching entertainment content on mobile devices and built-in vehicle displays, citing distraction risks comparable to or greater than mobile phone use while driving.

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The issue at hand is the growing trend of Malaysian drivers viewing entertainment content—including films and videos—on mobile devices, aftermarket screens, and built-in vehicle displays while operating a vehicle. This concern was raised by road safety experts, including representatives from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the Road Safety Council of Malaysia, and the Malaysian Road and Transport Safety Association, and reported by Paul Tan's Automotive News and The Star. The problem affects all drivers in Malaysia, particularly those with modern vehicles featuring large infotainment screens.

The primary regulatory frameworks involved are Rule 17A(1) of the Road Traffic Rules 1959, which prohibits non-hands-free phone use while driving, and Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which covers careless and inconsiderate driving. No new legislation has been enacted specifically for video viewing, but enforcement can be applied under existing provisions depending on the circumstances and evidence.

Key Facts

Is Watching Videos While Driving Illegal in Malaysia?

Under existing Malaysian law, watching entertainment content while driving is not explicitly named as an offence, but it can be prosecuted under broader provisions if it causes distraction or careless driving. Rule 17A(1) of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 prohibits non-hands-free phone use, but does not specifically list video screens or entertainment devices.

According to Bukit Aman traffic investigation and enforcement department (JSPT) director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali, using a screen for entertainment is not an offence if it is meant for front or rear passengers, provided it does not obstruct or distract the driver. He stated that enforcement will consider positioning, manner of use, and whether it affects the driver's vision, attention, or control of the vehicle.

"The crucial point is hands-free does not mean attention-free. Even if a device is mounted or a screen is built into the vehicle, drivers should not watch entertainment content while driving."

— Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali, JSPT director, in The Star

"If a driver is distracted by a screen and drives without proper care and attention, the case can also be investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for careless and inconsiderate driving."

Why Is Video Viewing While Driving More Dangerous Than Phone Use?

Road safety experts classify video viewing as a distraction level equal to or greater than mobile phone use because it requires sustained visual and cognitive engagement, unlike brief phone interactions. UPM road safety research centre head Law Teik Hua explained that watching entertainment content requires continuous visual and mental attention, which cannot be safely maintained while driving.

Law noted that even brief glances at a screen could be dangerous in rapidly changing situations such as intersections, heavy traffic, or high speeds. He added that mental distraction persists even when a driver looks back at the road, as their mind may remain occupied by the film content. Malaysian Road and Transport Safety Association president Md Hairolzaman Muhamed Nor highlighted the additional risk of "inattentional blindness," where a driver may look at the road but fail to process what they are seeing.

"At 90 km/h, a two-second delay means the vehicle has travelled about 50 metres before the brakes are applied, which is why video distraction is considered as hazardous as mobile phone use or even more so under certain circumstances."

What Do Malaysian Experts Recommend for New Regulations?

Experts are calling for regulations that specifically prohibit drivers from watching entertainment content, while protecting legitimate uses of onboard displays such as navigation, safety information, and reversing cameras. Law Teik Hua stated that regulations should differentiate between entertainment viewing and functional driving assistance to avoid restricting legitimate features.

Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh called for specific regulations and guidelines for built-in screens on vehicles, emphasising that entertainment content should be meant solely for passengers. Md Hairolzaman Muhamed Nor suggested expanding existing road traffic laws to cover "digital distraction" and proposed higher mandatory fines, demerit points under the Kejara system, and suspension of driving licences for those who install bypass software to enable video playback while driving.

"Entertainment content should be meant solely for passengers, not drivers," said Datuk Suret Singh, who also cited a transport ministry study finding that 45% of drivers involved in road accidents were using mobile phones while driving.

How Does Enforcement Work for Passenger Entertainment Screens?

Under current Malaysian enforcement practice, entertainment screens are permitted for passengers provided they do not obstruct or distract the driver, with positioning and manner of use considered by authorities. JSPT director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali clarified that enforcement officers will assess whether a screen affects a driver's vision, attention, or control of the vehicle on a case-by-case basis.

This means that a rear-seat entertainment system installed for passengers is generally acceptable, while a screen positioned to be visible to the driver and playing entertainment content could be subject to investigation. The distinction between entertainment and navigation is also important—navigation displays are considered legitimate driving functions, whereas films and videos are not.

"Technology will continue to evolve but the fundamental responsibility of the driver remains the same. Whatever the device, the driver's attention must remain on the task of driving with the utmost safety."

Who Is Most Affected by This Issue in Malaysia?

The most affected groups are Malaysian drivers of vehicles with large built-in infotainment screens, ride-hailing drivers, and owners of vehicles with aftermarket head units capable of playing video content. The concern is particularly relevant for drivers of newer vehicles where manufacturers install large central displays that are visible to the driver while driving.

The rise of electric vehicles and modern SUVs in Malaysia, such as the Xpeng G9L with its 33-speaker audio system and large display, has increased the availability of entertainment features in cars. This trend, combined with the growing use of mobile devices mounted on dashboards, has created new distractions that existing laws may not fully cover. The experts' comments apply across vehicle types—from compact city cars used in Kuala Lumpur traffic to family SUVs used for long highway journeys.

For Malaysian drivers who rely on their vehicles for ride-hailing or long-distance travel, the temptation to watch content during traffic jams or waiting periods creates an additional road safety risk that experts say needs legislative attention.

Common Questions

Can I watch videos on my car's built-in screen while parked in Malaysia?

Yes, watching entertainment content while parked is not an offence, as the driver is not operating the vehicle. The concern raised by authorities applies specifically to driving situations where the screen content could distract the driver or impair their control of the vehicle.

Are rear-seat entertainment systems allowed in Malaysian cars?

Yes. According to JSPT director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali, using a screen for entertainment is not an offence if it is meant for front passenger or rear passengers, provided it does not obstruct or distract the driver. Enforcement considers positioning, manner of use, and effect on driver vision and attention.

What penalties can I face if caught watching videos while driving in Malaysia?

While no specific penalty exists for video viewing alone, drivers can be investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for careless and inconsiderate driving. Experts have proposed higher mandatory fines, Kejara demerit points, or licence suspension for those found guilty of using bypass software to enable video playback while driving.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Paul Tan's Automotive News report published on 17 September 2026, which cited interviews conducted by The Star with road safety experts and enforcement authorities. The original source material is available at paultan.org.

Quotes were attributed to Universiti Putra Malaysia research centre head Law Teik Hua, Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh, Malaysian Road and Transport Safety Association president Md Hairolzaman Muhamed Nor, and Bukit Aman JSPT director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali. The transport ministry statistic of 45% of drivers in accidents using mobile phones was cited by Datuk Suret Singh and was not independently verified by this article.

No currency conversions were required as this article contains no pricing information. All legal references are to Malaysian legislation, and all content is framed within the Malaysian road safety and traffic enforcement context. This article was last updated on 17 September 2026 based on the source publication date.