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posted by martyb on Saturday October 20 2018, @11:13PM   Printer-friendly
from the Automated-Law-Enforcement dept.

Australian cities are working with several companies to install cameras to capture still images and video to detect drivers using mobile phones on the road to fine them in the same way automated speed cameras work. This is good news for local governments who desperately need an influx of cash in the wake of reduced intake from speeding fines. A recent report showed that there is limited evidence that cameras have led to a change in driver behaviour across the state by acting as a deterrent however it is expected that harshly fining drivers may work better than putting up signs informing drivers that speed cameras are installed ahead. The system for detecting mobile phone use in cars is currently being tested on the M4 motorway in Sydney.


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  • (Score: 5, Touché) by Snotnose on Sunday October 21 2018, @12:10AM (4 children)

    by Snotnose (1623) on Sunday October 21 2018, @12:10AM (#751523)

    The only time I use my phone while driving is navigation. In California that makes me liable for a very expensive ticket if caught.

    I've also got a 10-15 year old book of maps. If I use those to figure out where to go I'm good to go.

    So I can have an app that tells me how to get me to where I'm going, under penalty of an expensive fine, or I can have my book of maps propped up on my steering wheel, which is fine.

    Stuck on Stupid indeed.

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  • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 21 2018, @08:42AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 21 2018, @08:42AM (#751590)

    So I can have an app that tells me how to get me to where I'm going, under penalty of an expensive fine, or I can have my book of maps propped up on my steering wheel, which is fine.

    No, propping your book of maps on your steering wheel is not fine. Using it thus is distracted driving, no different than fiddling with your phone app. If you want to refer to your book of maps, pull over and stop the car first.

  • (Score: 2) by darkfeline on Sunday October 21 2018, @10:04AM

    by darkfeline (1030) on Sunday October 21 2018, @10:04AM (#751599) Homepage

    >The only time I use my phone while driving is navigation. In California that makes me liable for a very expensive ticket if caught.

    It's legal to use your phone while driving in California, if it is mounted.

    Here's what I think happened: you used your phone by holding it in your hand while driving. You got ticketed for distracted driving. Furious, you went and looked up the law and found that it was quite reasonable and you were the idiot for holding your phone while driving. But your pride wouldn't allow you to admit it, so you had to post about how California doesn't allow one to use their phone for navigation while driving, omitting the inconvenient detail that it's only illegal if you're holding the phone and don't have the phone mounted.

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  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by crafoo on Sunday October 21 2018, @03:19PM

    by crafoo (6639) on Sunday October 21 2018, @03:19PM (#751673)

    or I can have my book of maps propped up on my steering wheel, which is fine.

    Highly unlikely. I'm sure California has a distracted driving law. Reading a map while driving will certainly get you pulled over. Phone or book: you're not paying attention to the driving, which is the crime. I'm so sick of people like you acting out like children instead of doing the right thing.

  • (Score: 2) by mcgrew on Sunday October 21 2018, @04:25PM

    by mcgrew (701) <publish@mcgrewbooks.com> on Sunday October 21 2018, @04:25PM (#751699) Homepage Journal

    Stupid on stupid is NOT STOPPING THE DAMNED CAR when you're reading your map, whether paper or electronic. In Illinois, reading a paper map while driving is the same penalty as reading a map on a phone while driving.

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