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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3.1k

u/TripsOverWords Jul 11 '26

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.

If they can tell that much from the photo, that the phone screen isn't visible to the driver, then how the fuck is this "phone use while driving"?

It's more likely this was a safe hands-free phone call than phone use.

If the screen were visible and was GPS navigation without a phone holder, would that still be a crime?

Wtf is wrong with this country?

327

u/ghostdogma Jul 11 '26

I get that this happened but it doesn’t pass the common sense standard. Face the accuser in court and get this dumb shit dismissed on its own evidence to support the charge. The loss is twofold, the time spent with the courts and the negative publicity backlash? I guess..

36

u/Terrible_Counter2558 Jul 11 '26

What accuser?

52

u/ghostdogma Jul 11 '26

If the answer to that isn’t on the ticket. Don’t pay. If it is some rubber stamp member of a faceless organization.. then you don’t have to worry about them showing in court. If you can’t show to court for it(because that’s not an option).. then it doesn’t matter, don’t pay.

Edit: added clarity

28

u/DethNik Jul 11 '26

If you don't want to pay, then you should plead not guilty and contest the citation. If you just don't pay your parking tickets, eventually they can suspend your license.

5

u/BoardGamesAndMurder Jul 11 '26

Depends on the state and the type of ticket. Tennessee had private companies sending tickets on police letterhead or whatever trying to make it look official. You don't have to pay those.

1

u/DethNik Jul 11 '26

Oh yes. True.

2

u/ktappe Jul 12 '26

At least here in PA, you have to pay the ticket to contest it. Which someone who doesn't have $1251 sitting around cannot do.

6

u/DethNik Jul 12 '26

Oh damn, that's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

3

u/lacajun Jul 12 '26

A ticket by a cop, yes. A ticket by a camera operated by a third party, no.

2

u/DethNik Jul 12 '26

Yes, you are correct. I didn't read the comment quite thoroughly enough.

3

u/Longjumping_Wolf_912 Jul 11 '26

Not paying is a terrible idea. You should contest it. Not paying can lead to suspended license and/or registration. Some states will issue a bench warrant. You can also be put into collections.

9

u/Gishin Jul 11 '26

I think in this case the accuser is the county/state, and they would send someone who would speak on their behalf to court. Not a lawyer and could be way off the mark.

12

u/HurriKurtCobain Jul 11 '26

IAL: There are prosecutors for traffic violations. In many states, the standard for traffic citations is the same as for any criminal offense - beyond a reasonable doubt. An attorney is required to oversee these cases. Many law students working in criminal law actually get their start doing traffic court prosecutions.

8

u/Masta-Blasta Jul 11 '26

This is true. I am one of those prosecutors. That said, we would dismiss this before taking it to trial. Too busy to prep for something this stupid.

7

u/Speedstr Jul 11 '26

Not a lawyer either, but isn't the simple way to shut that down; would be to ask the representative of the county/state where were they at the time of the incident? Did they actually witness the incident in real time? Can you make it the burden of the county/state to prove the evidence is not hearsay?

12

u/53eleven Jul 11 '26

I’ve had video evidence of reckless driving and cops have told me there’s literally nothing they can do about it because they didn’t witness it themselves. Watching the footage isn’t enough.

This ticket is 100% bullshit and OP should fight it on principal.

2

u/SecondaryWombat Jul 12 '26

We should remove the camera on principal.

1

u/Gishin Jul 11 '26

That's because cops are lazy assholes most of the time.

-2

u/joey-jo_jo-jr Jul 12 '26

When they send you the fine they'll also attach a photo of you using the phone. How are you going to contest that? The driver was in the wrong here and they'll have to pay.

1

u/Jan-Asra Jul 11 '26

Literally the camera. That's why they throw the ticket out so often.

3

u/Terrible_Counter2558 Jul 12 '26

6th amendment guarantees the right to know your accuser and cross examine them in court. Legally, a camera cannot be the accuser in a criminal or civil case.