An apparatus and method allow either the driver or a passenger in a
vehicle to operate a telematic unit in the vehicle. Communication
requests may be prioritized, depending upon the type of communication
desired and whether the request is being made by the driver or a
passenger. Visual display units for the driver and passenger are
positioned such that the passenger visual display unit is visible to a
passenger seated in the passenger seat and not visible to a driver seated
in the driver seat. Information displayed on the driver visual display
unit may be restricted to certain types of communications, or include
only limited information, so as not to distract the driver. A full
display may be provided to the passenger, so that the passenger can
assist the driver with verbal instructions based upon information
included in the full display, viewable by the passenger but not the
driver.