California Rejects No-Porn-Onboard Proposal

SACREMENTO, Calif. — A bill that would have outlawed the display “sexually explicit material in a motor vehicle knowing that the material is visible to the public” was shot down Tuesday by the California State Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, meaning Californians are free to continue watching adult videos while cruising the state's highways and byways.

The bill had been introduced by Assemblyman John Benoit, R-Palm Desert, a former California Highway Patrol commander.

“We've had a number of people complain that stopping at a light they've seen sexual acts of the kind we don't want to speak of displayed on the video screen in the car in front of them,” Benoit said.

California last year enacted a law forbidding the viewing of videos and DVDs on dashboard-mounted video display screens. Partially as a result of the new law, the number of citations issued statewide for drivers distracted by video screens in their vehicles rose from 105 in 2000 to 920 last year.

However, the California Highway Patrol does not issue any penalties for the viewing of adult videos or other entertainment offerings, as long as they are shown only in the back seat of a vehicle, nor does the agency take a position on debate surrounding a back-seat passenger’s right to watch hardcore material while on the road.

“In California, you practically live in your car,” said CHP spokesman Tom Marshall. “People who are going to be in their car for two hours want to do something else.”

Currently, Virginia and Tennessee are the only states that place restrictions on the playing of adult videos in vehicles. In both states, motorists face stiff fines if the material is visible to other cars.

Benoit said his bill, which was supported by the Traditional Values Coalition and California Family Alliance, was not anti-porn.

“If you want to play a pornographic film in the privacy of your own home or your own bedroom, that's your business,” he said. “But when you display it where people can see it while they're driving, that's inappropriate.”

Despite the bill’s defeat, the porn-onboard issue isn't going away, Benoit said. With the proliferation of DVD screens and advances in technology, including the size of in-car screens, “It's only going to become more of a problem,” he said. “Try to explain to your 5-year-old what he just saw when he wonders, ‘Why was that man doing that to that woman?’ It's a hard thing.”

Kat Sunlove, legislative affairs director for the Free Speech Coalition, said the bill would have improperly required drivers to monitor the reading, listening and viewing habits of their passengers.

“I want drivers to be focused on the road, not on whether a kid half a car length behind them is looking into their car,”' she said.

Sunlove added that she doesn’t believe enough motorists are watching adult videos in their vehicles to warrant any further attention.

“Most of the videos being show in the back seats of SUV's are kids movies,” Sunlove said. “The number of adult videos being shown has got to be very small.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Emma Rosie Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Emma Rosie has made her TransAngels debut alongside Zariah Aura in "Trick or Treating Ourselves."

Ohio AG Threatens Action Against 'Major' Adult Sites Over AV Law

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that his office is sending "notice of violation" letters to 19 adult websites for failure to comply with the state's recently enacted age verification law.

Transfixed Debuts Bree Miller Drama 'MILF Oasis'

Transfixed has released the Bree Mills-helmed drama “MILF Oasis.”

Sweet Sinner Releases 6th Volume of 'MILF Pact'

Reigning XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Penny Barber stars with Bunny Madison, Katrina Colt, and Little Puck in the sixth volume of "MILLF Pact," from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

Hime Marie Leads Latest From Hookup Hotshot

Hime Marie returns to Hookup Hotshot for a new scene featuring Nade Nasty.

Angelica Heaven Leads Latest From Immoral Productions

Angelica Heaven stars in a new Immoral Productions trilogy alongside Terry Banks, Matt Bird, Rob Hudson, and studio honcho “Porno Dan” Leal.

Payton Preslee Fronts Latest From New Sensations

Payton Preslee and Codey Steele star in the latest release from New Sensations.

Ukrainian Content Creators on Hook for Nearly $10M in Back Taxes

Content creators in Ukraine owe the equivalent of $9.3 million in back taxes, according to the country's State Tax Service.

Jade Venus, Aubrey Kate Star in Latest From Evil Angel

Jade Venus and Aubrey Kate star in a scene from Evil Angel titled “TS Aubrey & TS Jade Do 3 Uniformed Men.”

Jonni Darkko Drops New Evil Angel Blowbang With Connie Perignon

Connie Perignon stars in the latest Evil Angel blowbang release from director Jonni Darkko.

Show More