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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 5 days 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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[-] Auli@lemmy.ca -5 points 4 days ago

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 4 days 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 3 days ago

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

this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2026
926 points (96.8% liked)

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