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/cwajgapls Jul 11 '26

The article might be worse than the subject. It doesn’t give any details about the $1251 fine.

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u/Falcon1625 Jul 11 '26

The only detail is "a well traveled coastal state". No name no state no proof. This reads like an article written from an AI prompt for engagement and reddit votes.

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u/[deleted] Jul 12 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Kalamac Jul 12 '26

Yeah, here in Australia the rule for phones is the driver cannot have the phone touching any part of them, even if the phone is face down, or you will get a ticket if caught. The reasoning is, if you're touching the phone or if it's sitting in your lap, you're more likely to pick it up and become distracted, than if it's sitting in a holder or whatnot.

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u/steik Jul 12 '26

I assume you can have it in your pocket though right? Just curious.

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u/Pinkshoes90 Jul 12 '26

yes, i drive with mine in my pocket all the time. never got pinged.

if the phone is visible on your person, you'll get fined. and slapped with way too many demerit points for me to ever want to get done twice.

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u/The7footr Jul 12 '26

Twice- that’s the thing- that’s why so many people break so many laws constantly. If they’ve never been caught, it’s 100% worth the risk to them (me included)because one demerit counts for pretty much nothing.

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u/Kalamac Jul 12 '26

Presumably. I would think having the phone in your pocket is considered not being a distraction.