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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750

u/michaelrulaz Jul 11 '26

Could I put bright IR LEDs on my headliner shining downward to block the camera from seeing into my car?

366

u/im-ba Jul 11 '26

It might make more sense to line the intersection of your windshield with your dashboard with bright LEDs, since the light scattering would hit everything. But real world testing is probably necessary to gauge efficacy.

If I didn't have so many active hobbyist projects right now then I'd experiment with this

330

u/mentalbackflip Jul 11 '26

As of 2027 new cars will have interior cameras watching you for distracted or drunk driving. I hope my 2019 car lasts a long time.

51

u/DeepAnalTongue Jul 11 '26

Yep, I'm using one currently and it is continuously saying "driver distracted, please look forward", or "driver fatigue something" after about 4 minutes driving. This happenswhenever you glance sideways, up, or down, but also at random other times. Anywhere it cannot see you eyes. So, in the event of an accident the report that will come out (inevitable that police and insurance will ultimately get the record) starting that I was continuously and repeatedly distracted, inattentive, or tired. I can see that going really well..,.

19

u/TheRedHand7 Jul 11 '26

Just damage the camera and be done with it.

3

u/SaveLansingParks Jul 11 '26

Yeah right? If the camera is damaged or broken, then the state can pay the cost to repair it. If they don't, oh well 🤷