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Traffic Camera Captures Woman Driving With Her Phone on Her Lap (Face Down), The State Mailed Her a $1251 'Public Safety' Ticket (www.gadgetreview.com)
submitted 1 day ago by spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works to c/technology@lemmy.world
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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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[-] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 8 points 7 hours ago

The only reason to have a phone in your lap while driving is if you intend to use said phone while driving.

[-] lastlybutfirstly@lemmy.world 5 points 4 hours ago

That logic can be applied to anywhere in the car that the driver can reach. Is the Australian government suffering a collective stroke? Should we send help?

[-] HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 3 points 4 hours ago

Or you are currently using it and trying to be sneaky about it

[-] Frigidlollipop@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago

I honestly throw mine wherever without thinking about it. Def has been on lap or in crotch a few times.

[-] ricecake@sh.itjust.works 7 points 7 hours ago

Your phone fell off the dashboard phone stand, you caught it and set it in your lap.

this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2026
782 points (97.0% liked)

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