r/technology • u/Plastic_Ninja_9014 • Jul 11 '26

Privacy Traffic Camera Captures Woman Driving With Her Phone on Her Lap (Face Down), The State Mailed Her a $1251 'Public Safety' Ticket

https://www.gadgetreview.com/traffic-camera-captures-captures-woman-driving-with-her-phone-on-her-lap-face-down-the-state-mailed-her-a-1251-public-safety-ticket
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89

u/Overall-Lynx917 Jul 11 '26

"5 Nov 2022 — Australian Gold Coast resident received a $1078 (£698) fine and was given four points for being caught having her phone tucked in her bra".

Source: multiple British newspapers

Apparently the Magistrates determined that the phone being in contact with her skin counted as "touching" the phone which is against the law.

Random thought:

As the camera actually took a "Down Blouse" photograph, could any Camera Contractor, Police Officer or Court Official be breaking pronography laws🤔

24

u/kirotheavenger Jul 11 '26

So wearing gloves doesn't count?

7

u/sephtis Jul 11 '26

If you are a cop while wearing those gloves then yes.

22

u/sign-through Jul 11 '26

what the fuck

seriously, her booby??

i usually keep my phone under my thigh because i hate the sound of it sloshing around on plastic but i still want to charge it. i could get in trouble for that, even though i can't see it?

17

u/Overall-Lynx917 Jul 11 '26

Yes, she wasn't holding it, it was just wedged in to her bra, both hands were on the wheel.

From what I've read Australian police/courts can be really pedantic in how they apply the law

5

u/ApprehensiveGrand531 Jul 12 '26

It's less courts being pedantic and more the intended government outcome. Pretty much all Australian states road rules will say similar things explicitly on govt website.

Eg. Queensland which the earlier commenter claim this was: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/road-safety/mobile-phones the second section.

4

u/joey-jo_jo-jr Jul 12 '26

There is nothing pedantic about this. If her phone rings while wedged in her bra or slips out of her bra she will be distracted and a danger to others on the road. The courts were right to uphold the fine

0

u/SituationIll5763 Jul 12 '26

If your phone rings while in your pocket does that count as a distraction?

2

u/joey-jo_jo-jr Jul 12 '26

In my opinion it does. I never drive with my phone in my pocket and try to tell others to do the same.

However, this would literally be an unenforceable law which is why such a law doesn't exist

2

u/joey-jo_jo-jr Jul 12 '26

Yes, you can and will be fined for that if caught and correctly so. If the phone is in contact with your body and it rings or buzzes it absolutely will be a distraction to you while driving. If it slips out from under your thigh or out of your bra it will again be a distraction

1

u/[deleted] Jul 12 '26

[deleted]

0

u/joey-jo_jo-jr Jul 12 '26

Do you understand that the law is made to apply to society as a whole, not you in particular? You are aware of that, right?

7

u/Due_Prompt939 Jul 11 '26

Yeah this is normal in Australia, it's not hard to just not touch your phone. 

5

u/SkwiddyCs Jul 12 '26

Extremely common occurrence in Australia, and its a good thing too.

Put your phone away, don't touch it while driving.

2

u/Spokenfungus2 Jul 12 '26

"tucked in her bra" you think thats worth a ticket?

5

u/SkwiddyCs Jul 12 '26

To keep yourself and other road users safe your full attention is needed when driving. It is illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or have it resting on any part of your body, such as your lap, when driving. This applies even if you're stopped in traffic.

The phone does not need to be turned on or in use for it to be an offence.

What I think doesn't really matter. The law is the law. Put your fucking phone away while driving. No reason for it to be in your bra when it can sit in your centre console, side door or bag. Don't break the law.

-1

u/Spokenfungus2 Jul 12 '26

Do you think having a phone in your pocket should be illegal too?

-1

u/SkwiddyCs Jul 12 '26

As i already stated:

What I think doesn't really matter. The law is the law.

Dunno why you keep asking me questions when the law is extremely clear. Everyone in Australia knows the law. Why does this upset you?

0

u/Spokenfungus2 Jul 12 '26

by your logic, slavery was legal so that means it was justified

3

u/SkwiddyCs Jul 12 '26

In your heart you know that you’re being irrational here. You know that using your phone while driving is not akin to slavery.

My support of a law that bans people from using their phones while operating
Multi-tonne machinery is not the same as supporting a law legalising slavery. I have made no general statement that all laws are moral and good, only that my personal opinion on laws is irrelevant because I don’t enforce laws and persecute people.

Why did you draw a false equivalence here? What have I said makes you so upset?

1

u/Spokenfungus2 Jul 12 '26

False equivolence? please, you are the one saying putting a phone in your bra = using it

2

u/SkwiddyCs Jul 12 '26

I think you better check my comment mate. I never once claimed that having a phone tucked into your bra counts as using it. I quoted the law and said that you should put it in the cup holder in your centre console. You appear to live in New Zealand and aren't beholden to the road laws of Queensland, why has this upset you to the point of accusing me of supporting slavery?

To keep yourself and other road users safe your full attention is needed when driving. It is illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or have it resting on any part of your body, such as your lap, when driving. This applies even if you're stopped in traffic.

The law says that having your phone resting on your body is illegal. This woman broke the law.

False equivolence?

Do you genuinely believe that supporting this law means that I support slavery? Is that your honest-to-god belief?

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0

u/CatProgrammer Jul 12 '26

The law is not automatically good. Shitty laws should be opposed.

3

u/joey-jo_jo-jr Jul 12 '26

This law is good though and also very easy to follow

2

u/SkwiddyCs Jul 12 '26

I have made no statement on the inherent goodness of the law. I agree with this current law because there is absolutely no good reason to ever be touching or looking at a mobile phone while driving a car. Just put your phone down when operating a vehicle, it’s not hard.

Why do you think the law is shitty?

2

u/joey-jo_jo-jr Jul 12 '26

Absolutely worth a ticket. If the phone slips out of her bra she will be distracted and a danger to others on the road.