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Traffic Camera Captures Woman Driving With Her Phone on Her Lap (Face Down), The State Mailed Her a $1251 'Public Safety' Ticket (www.gadgetreview.com)
submitted 3 weeks ago by spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works to c/technology@lemmy.world
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A woman drives with both hands on the wheel. Her phone sits face-down on her lap. No officer pulls her over. No lights flash. Weeks later, a $1,251 ticket arrives in the mail. The evidence: a single frame from a Camera surveillance app. The charge: phone use while driving.

Automated camera companies market their devices as automated license plate readers — tools for catching stolen cars, flagging warrants, and aiding serious investigations.

Sold as a Crime Tool. Used as a Fine Machine.

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[-] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 8 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

So if the phone was on the seat she should get a ticket, if was on the console 2" to the right she should get a ticket, if it was in her pocket she should get a ticket? If it's in a dash mount within reach she should get a ticket? If the phone's in a sealed box like an unopened liquor bottle then she shouldn't?

[-] infinitesunrise@slrpnk.net 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

You see now why alcohol is not a great analogy.

I got a lot of down votes above for pointing out the discrepancy. I think people got ahead of their skis: I wasn't trying to say she deserves DUI-level charges, I'm demonstrating that the analogy isn't great.

this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2026
937 points (100.0% liked)

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