this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2026
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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.

Automated camera companies market their devices as automated license plate readers — tools for catching stolen cars, flagging warrants, and aiding serious investigations.

Sold as a Crime Tool. Used as a Fine Machine.

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[–] 5too@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Her phone was face down, she wasn't looking at it that we can see. All we know here is her hands were on the wheel, she was in her lane, and she wasn't looking at her phone right then. Anything else is speculation without evidence.

[–] kepix@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] 5too@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] kepix@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

yeah, the back cover case usually dont have a status bar on the top.

[–] 5too@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Status bar? I see the opening in the back of the case for the for the camera, but no status bar.

[–] WindyRebel@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Yes, but you slam on the brakes or maybe brake too sudden and it flies off and onto the floor. It could potentially slide under a pedal (like the brakes), hindering its function.

Is it likely? Probably not, but it is a dangerous hazard waiting to happen.

[–] 5too@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago

Okay - so charge her with having an unsecured object in her vehicle.

The fine was for use of a phone while driving, when the phone was not in use. Not for having unsecured items in the vehicle. Not saying it's a good idea to drive that way - it's pretty clearly not - but that's not the actual issue here

[–] ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

you slam on the brakes or maybe brake too sudden and it flies off and onto the floor. It could potentially slide under a pedal (like the brakes), hindering its function.

That's nothing but speculative and hypothetical, and not a violation of any statute. That might happen with a lunchbox or a bag of groceries. Your phone might fall out of its window mount suction cup if you brake hard too. Your floor rug might scoot up over your accelerator pedal and cause an accident. If any of those happen, they might be the "reason" for an accident but the fact that the potential exists isn't a violation. You might wish that were so but it's not.

[–] Auli@lemmy.ca -5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Sure then but why is her phone face down on her lap? Cause she was using it. Cops going to give you a ticket also if he sees that.

[–] 5too@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

Nah, if a cop charges her for that, she'd be right to contest it. Maybe it had fallen, and she tucked it in her lap to let her get safely clear of traffic before stowing it properly. Doesn't matter if it's likely or not, the burden of proof is on the accuser, and it's not met here.

Let's not let the police assume lawbreaking without clear proof, and lets especially not let them automate that accusation process!

[–] blockheadjt@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago

You understand that most women's clothing don't have pockets, right?