Mio responds to Freeview satnav criticism

Mio has responded to safety criticisms of its Freeview-enabled satnavs from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The Mio Navman Spirit TV range will go on sale from next month, with the products featuring built-in digital terrestrial television tuners able to pick up DVB-T signals.

However, RoSPA has expressed concern that the devices could potentially distract drivers.

In response, Mio has told DS that it is "fully aware that drivers shouldn't watch TV while driving".

While the company has accepted that the Spirit TV devices do work when in motion, it has also pointed out that this is part of wider functionality for the product.

"When enabling the TV's to work whilst moving, Mio had to consider the needs of all users, not just the driver," the firm said.

"Passengers, children in the rear of cars, travellers on buses and on trains would like to able to use this device whilst it is moving."

According to the company, there are a number of safety measures in place to give proper warning to users before the TV function can be used in motion.

This means that the feature does not work unless the user has acknowledged and accepted the safety warning.

"The TV is only intended for the driver to watch when stationary. Once he or she exceeds five mph the screen goes blank," the firm explained.

"The user must accept the safety warning if disabling this feature, for example, when wishing to view TV in the rear of the car."