Ticket Cameras May Be Used To Enforce Text Messaging Laws

October 1st, 2008 Posted in ,

cellphone
The city of Scottsdale, Arizona is considering using its ticket cameras to enforce distracted driving laws. Yes, the same cameras that are frequently unable to identify the drivers of vehicles may be used to check for text messaging behind the wheel.

From the East Valley Tribune:

Photo enforcement cameras in Scottsdale are capable of detecting behavior such as text messaging or other “distracted driving” behavior, in addition to capturing speeders and red-light runners.

But whether Scottsdale pursues such enforcement as part of a proposed text-messaging and distracted driving law remains to be seen.

“We’re able to see people clearly on their cell phones,” said Josh Weiss, spokesman for American Traffic Solutions, the company that operates the fixed cameras and camera-equipped vans on Scottsdale surface streets.

And here’s a fun sentence:

Weiss is also a member of Scottsdale’s Transportation Commission, which recently voted to recommend that the City Council adopt a ban on text messaging while driving.

So a spokesperson for a ticket camera manufacturer is on the city’s Transportation Commission and no one bats an eye? Amazing.

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  1. 7 Responses to “Ticket Cameras May Be Used To Enforce Text Messaging Laws”

  2. By Tim - PHX, AZ on Oct 10, 2008

    “I was using Google Maps on my phone Judge XXXXX, not texting…, I wasn’t texting I was checking the time

    Hey, let’s ban the following while we’re at it!! Talking on the phone with or without handsfree, listening to the radio, touching the radio station dial, talking to anyone riding in the same vehicle, screaming kids in the backseat, all of which technically could be possible distractions from keeping your attention on the road ahead.

    90% of the purpose of the cameras is for city money making, 10% is maybe for safety in my opinion.

  3. By Randall on Oct 3, 2008

    Though people shouldn’t be texting while driving, I don’t see how you can prove it using a photograph. In which case they would make the law where it would be illegal to look at your phone while driving, lmao. Or Ban the use of phones in the car completely.

  4. By Jeff on Oct 2, 2008

    Doesn’t Wisconsin have a law that outlaws eating while driving?

  5. By Highway on Oct 2, 2008

    I find it so hard to believe that people are so freakin’ stupid as to think they can drive and actually compose a text message…

    But then, you never lose long-term overestimating the stupidity of people.

  6. By Andi Baritchi on Oct 1, 2008

    How exactly can a photograph of me holding my iPhone *prove* that I was “texting” while driving?

    Reading something momentarily is technically not illegal as far as I know. Otherwise we would be breaking the law every time we read our gauges, radio displays, and so forth. So how do they know I am not simply “reading something” off my telephone screen? Perhaps directions I programmed in before I left. Or maybe if I’m in a car without one of those fancy GPS systems, and I’m using my iPhone’s google maps to get me to my destination. Is this illegal? And if so, wouldn’t that be a discriminatory law against those that can’t afford a car with built in GPS?

    What if I’m simply holding the phone in my hand and having a speakerphone conversation?

    What if I’m picking a phone number to dial from my Favorites to have a handsfree conversation with?

    Oh. Wait, I forgot. You’re guilty until proven innocent. Simply holding your phone means you dared commit the heinous crime of texting while driving and should be fined $500 per incident.

  7. By Stephen on Oct 1, 2008

    Don’t forget in the same article on that paper they talked about eating too. The actually go after people in UK for drinking a glass or water or coffee while driving.

    Whats next, ticket cameras for talking to your passenger.

    One day these cameras will come down. The sooner it is the better!

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