Police took pic of my car

[WildflowerWildfire]

Posting here for traffic (no pun intended).

So I was waiting at some traffic lights earlier on today, and I had a notification on my Apple Watch from my DCs school. I quickly picked up my phone to see what it was, and the police pulled up in the lane next to me. I quickly put it back down, but half a mile down the road after the traffic lights, I saw (in my wing mirror) the policeman taking a pic of what looked like my car.

I know I did wrong, but is this photo evidence enough to give me a fine and points? Would the photo not need to be taken at the time I was holding my phone?

I’m panicking 😩. Help please.

How would you prove the driver was holding their phone etc if you didn’t have a photo of them doing so?
The word of 2 police officers against that of someone breaking the law? Hmmm 🤔🤔🤔

I think you will most likely get a penalty notice OP.

The police don't need evidence to prosecute if they're the one who witnessed the crime occurring.

They only need to see evidence if a civilian reports you. So if I rang the police now and said "WildflowerWildfire was using her phone while driving yesterday" they'd need to ask me for evidence (dashcam footage, photographic evidence) - they can't just take my word for it or anyone could make reports for all sorts and get people fined lol.

@ShirleyPhallus

Isn’t the point of an Apple Watch that you can read texts when not with your phone?

Please don’t look at your phone, for the many reasons given above

Seriously? Oh yes, it is so much safer reading a text message on your watch than on your phone. Please don't do this either when driving.

How were they taking a picture? Did they have their mobile phone held up? It's more likely they were running your plate using the phone than picture and holding up their phone typing in your reg. Picture is irrelevant for this offence anyway.

How on earth could I have hurt an innocent person by having my handbrake on, waiting at traffic lights?

I see so many drivers looking at their phones and not paying attention.

I really hope you do get a fine and a penalty, and then never do it again.

It doesn't matter that you were stationary at traffic lights. If your engine was on then it's classed as an offence as you're not giving your full attention to the road and what's happening around you.

He probably wasn't taking a picture of your car.

But seriously, don't look at your phone/ smartwatch. Even when you're stopped at lights. FGS.

@WildflowerWildfire

How on earth could I have hurt an innocent person by having my handbrake on, waiting at traffic lights?

When you are in charge of a vehicle, your attention needs to be on the road. Period. Just don't do it.

@Sausagedogsarethebest

It doesn't matter that you were stationary at traffic lights. If your engine was on then it's classed as an offence as you're not giving your full attention to the road and what's happening around you.

Yes, everyone knows that.

Another poster was making out that the OP was going to kill people though.

The police don't need a photo of an offence to prosecute you for it.They didn't always have mobile phones. He may have taken a photo of your car after seeing you use your phone because it was quicker than writing down your number plate and may be going to report you down the line.

@WildflowerWildfire

How on earth could I have hurt an innocent person by having my handbrake on, waiting at traffic lights?

Because if you pull away without doing the proper checks (for example, you rush as the lights changed when you were looking at your phone) you could cause an accident.

As PPs say, don't look at your phone or smart watch whilst your engine is running.

Well lesson clearly learned. If I get points then so be it, I’ll be extra careful in future.

I've heard stories about police officers seeing phones on passenger seats/cup holders etc and accusing the driver of using their phone behind the wheel based on that. I don't know if these stories are true or not but its made me always leave mine in my bag on the backseat.

I fully expect you will receive a NIP in the post. They don't always stop you immediately.

@WildflowerWildfire

How on earth could I have hurt an innocent person by having my handbrake on, waiting at traffic lights?

Imagine the scenario of a mum losing control of a wandering toddler who walks in front of your car while you're looking down at your phone. You look up, the light's green and you drive on.

If you weren't looking at your phone, you'd have been looking around you and would have seen the child.

An unlikely scenario, yes, but it could happen and that's the point.

Paying attention to the road isn't limited to when you're moving, but all the time while you're in charge of a motor vehicle.

Take it as a lesson learned OP and keep your phone out of the way when you're driving. I use mine as a Sat Nav that's mounted on the dashboard. I see messages pop up while I'm driving and I just wait until I get home to read them. There's no need to check them that quickly. Or if there is, either get Siri to read them, or pull over somewhere safe to check it legally.

@girlmom21

Weird. I just tried and Siri will both send and read texts when my phone is locked.

iPhone 12pro iOS 15.1.1 in the US. Siri is set to 'allow when locked'.

A police officer just has to see you do it to charge you. They can send it all in the post, if they have the time place and licence plate. It's not true that they would have to pull you over at the time.

[quote AcrossthePond55]@girlmom21

Weird. I just tried and Siri will both send and read texts when my phone is locked.

iPhone 12pro iOS 15.1.1 in the US. Siri is set to 'allow when locked'.[/quote]
Maybe I need to sort my Siri out

@WildflowerWildfire

How on earth could I have hurt an innocent person by having my handbrake on, waiting at traffic lights?

Don't make excuses. You wouldn't have necessarily be pulled over, it's more likely it will come via the post. I think you're minimising to try and convince yourself you won't be in trouble. It's a serious offence and you should be relieved no one was hurt, rather than more concerned about how this will effect you.

@girlmom21

Maybe! She can be a bit ornery when she wants to be!

OP The Institute of Advanced Motorists, and other groups, have warned that current legislation means that the use of the Apple iWatch, or any other smartwatch, while driving is illegal. So may be you should take the dam thing off if your incapable of driving when not using it.

Here's hoping a letter drops through your letter box. It only takes a spit second of distraction to cause an accident. My phone goes in the glove box or inside the arm rest, when driving.

Ok well I’ll see if I get anything through the post and will update when I find out so that you can all be satisfied 👍🏻