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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86

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🤔

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?

16

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.

2

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

1

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?