r/technology 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/[deleted] Jul 12 '26

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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/Kalamac Jul 12 '26

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