Multi-tasking is easy for Swedes.......really?  Really!


In the constant desire to provide maximum freedoms and rights for it's citizens…Sweden is now the only country in Europe that allows texting while driving….


see here
However, I can confirm from my sauces (!*!) that there is absolutely no, repeat NO, truth to the rumour of providing motorway entertainment with in-car LCD TV's and wireless 5.1 digital sound transmission for the driver's following you. This idea originally was put forward in an attempt to beat the motorway 'dozing' syndrome but agreement could not be reached about channel changing. It was felt that control of the programming could not be given to the driver following as this would be a breach of privacy of the owner of the tv in the car in front. Additionally, at least one of the members of the committee concerned with the recommendation felt the proposal was unwise on the basis that he/she felt that it was more likely to put the following driver to sleep than to keep him/her awake. The committee member observed that tv always did this for him/her.
Motor manufacturing associations were also concerned at the extra costs of fitting revised rear window wiper equipment as it was felt that due to the recent downturn in trading conditions, for which their membership is thankfully celebrating an end, the additional costs of this equipment would have to be passed on to car buyers. They described it as an 'indirect tax' with one manufacturing representative jokingly (we think) observing that they'll be taxing rain next!
However, at least one motoring organisation did feel it would help improve courtesy on the road and perhaps reduce 'road-rage' incidents.
Which brings us back to the channel-changing issue again…..doesn't it?
All of which is not very good news for the American consortium that spearheaded the campaign. With their long and considerable (and, yes, profitable) experience in the 'drive-in movie' entertainment business they were highly optimistic of a surge in demand once the legal issues had been sorted out.
I really felt the urge to tell them that in Sweden 'in-car entertainment' has a somewhat different meaning, but then cultural differences are hard to explain, huh?