We have laws that cover being distracted while driving. I have no problem with a ticket/fine for using a phone while driving but do other distractions carry the same penalty? For example, if the camera or police officer observed somebody reading, putting on makeup or shaving while driving is the penalty the same as texting? What if the camera catches someone with their head down changing radio stations, plugging in a USB cord or digging through the console? I’m just wondering if the penalties vary.

First offense, big fine.
Second offense, lose your licence.
Period.

If shaming others will result in saving lives, I am all for it! All they care about is the high of a text or social media click, If public shaming will result in a negative click, let's do it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in favor of cracking down on people texting while driving. I'm just wondering how they will be able to tell from a photo what you're doing with your phone. I sometimes drive with my phone in my hand if I'm using Waze and the sun is at an angle that creates a glare from its mounted position. I'm sure there are other inocuous reasons to have a phone in your hand.

At least in Maryland, the law is against a handheld cell phone. So no, what you’re doing is not OK. Learn to listen to the directions instead of holding something in your hand that you need to stare at.

+100. LISTEN to the directions!

I don't mind the photos, but where are they taking these photos?

Anonymous wrote:I wish there was a bounty system for catching people. You get a photo of them, and their tag#, send it in, they get a huge fine, and you’d get a percentage of it.

I bet I could make a car payment every month, just from catching people.

Since by my estimate, about 95% of drivers stopped at a red light are on their phones - you could make a car payment every week.

I wish there was a bounty system for catching people. You get a photo of them, and their tag#, send it in, they get a huge fine, and you’d get a percentage of it.

I bet I could make a car payment every month, just from catching people.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with texting, etc. But, we are going a little overboard on the waze/google maps thing. I don't know about y'all but my parents absolutely looked at maps while driving when we didn't know where we were on long road trips. I don't see how this is any different.

Sometimes just relying on the verbal cues isn't good enough, especially when a lot of DC the street signs are not visible until after you get to your turn.

That's dangerous too.

Here's the ONLY thing you should focus on, when you're driving: driving.

Anonymous wrote:Agree with OP. And don't fool yourselves into thinking this is about safety. It's about collecting revenue. DUI revenue, I mean arrests must be slow this year.

So put the $ in a lock box for road safety improvements. Would that make you happy?

Anonymous wrote:I agree with texting, etc. But, we are going a little overboard on the waze/google maps thing. I don't know about y'all but my parents absolutely looked at maps while driving when we didn't know where we were on long road trips. I don't see how this is any different.

Sometimes just relying on the verbal cues isn't good enough, especially when a lot of DC the street signs are not visible until after you get to your turn.

The problem is, we can’t tell the difference and people lie. Better safe than sorry.

I agree with texting, etc. But, we are going a little overboard on the waze/google maps thing. I don't know about y'all but my parents absolutely looked at maps while driving when we didn't know where we were on long road trips. I don't see how this is any different.

Sometimes just relying on the verbal cues isn't good enough, especially when a lot of DC the street signs are not visible until after you get to your turn.

Anonymous wrote:They can take my pic all day long, I've got nothing to hide. You sound oddly upset about this.

BTW - if you are texting while driving, they sure as shit better ticket your ass, and a big one too! at least $500.

Absolutely. The fines should be as high as possible. Better than running over a child just so you can stay connected.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTH is wrong with you? Put down the phone and drive.

x a million. OP, you're part of the problem here.

This. Plus when you are "in public" (and driving your car on a public road is in public) you have no expectation of privacy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank god. I wish there was a way to report people to the police via social media for taking pictures, video taping, etc while in a moving car. Absolutely uncalled for.

There is a non-emergency number to call police. It would be completely inappropriate to do this via social media. I don't understand people's impulse to shame others. It's a bad impulse and only people of poor integrity or mental character would give in to it.

People do it on social media all the time.

And I think it's perfectly valid to shame people for bad behavior in public that endangers others. We've succeeded in changing societal views about drinking and driving, and the same shift needs to happen with electronics use and driving.

Anonymous wrote:Thank god. I wish there was a way to report people to the police via social media for taking pictures, video taping, etc while in a moving car. Absolutely uncalled for.

There is a non-emergency number to call police. It would be completely inappropriate to do this via social media. I don't understand people's impulse to shame others. It's a bad impulse and only people of poor integrity or mental character would give in to it.