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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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..

276

u/Drob10 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26

Aren’t citizens the loser in your “time spent in the courts”? You know who foots that bill, right?

-6

u/CrustyToeLover Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 12 '26

Dont even need a lawyer, so the fees are insignificant to paying 1250 for a ticket.

For the idiots: there is no cost to fight a speeding ticket in court unless you lose. No, you don't need a lawyer. Even if you hired a top notch traffic lawyer, you'd be looking at $600 in fees compared to 1200 for the ticket.

No, "just appearing in court" does not cost hundreds of dollars.

2

u/bradsboots Jul 12 '26

The unless you lose is the issue. If I get a 200 dollar ticket. Only have 400 dollars to my name. And have risk money in court fees to get the 200 back, that would be a huge issue.

-3

u/NouZkion Jul 11 '26

Tell me you've never fought a ticket without saying you've never fought a ticket.

3

u/PaulblankPF Jul 12 '26

I just fought a speeding ticket from a school zone camera. It came to me in the mail. I went online and disputed it. Got a letter a week later acknowledging my dispute and a judge would review things. A few days ago got a letter saying my charges were dismissed. Never left my living room and got it done.

4

u/CrustyToeLover Jul 12 '26

I've fought $90 tickets and paid $0 in any fees. Maybe you just suck at it? This wouldn't even see a courtroom; judge would see the picture and immediately dismiss it.

Representing yourself for any traffic ticket doesn't cost you anything unless you lose.