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.

You aren't going to kill someone if you look at your phone at traffic lights with your handbrake on and put the phone down before you move off. But if the police spot it you will get points and a fine because that is the law. I think in many situations the police should have a word with you about your stupid behaviour too but they don't have to.

It avoids any doubt to say to people they must not use a handheld mobile device in any way if they are in a driving situation. It has to be that way because people always bloody well argue and say: "But, but..."

It's the same with drink driving. If you are over the limit for alcohol volume by blood, breath or urine you will get a minimum 12 month ban and a fine. If you are considerably above it or it's a second or however many offence you will get more and perhaps be imprisoned.

Some countries have a zero alcohol limit but they generally do not have an automatic ban and allow people to argue about it in court. I think our system is clearer because zero limits are unworkable unless you are going to let some people off. But over the limit, that's it. You're banned.

It's got to have been 40 years since the automatic 12 month ban has been in place for drink-driving but still people are bewildered about it and think they can go to court and be let off because they need their cars.

I don't get particularly angry about people who drink and drive and accuse them of attempted or actual murder like some people do. I just think they shouldn't do it and pay the consequences if caught. Same as people who use phones.

@Prescottdanni123

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.

There's no need to go to those lengths. If you didn't engage with your hand-held phone at the time the officer said you were in control of a vehicle your phone records would prove that

I have to say, I was always of the opinion it was ok to go a bit above the speed limit, especially if no one was around and the conditions were clear etc. then I was caught speeding and did a speed awareness course and would never speed again. It isn’t necessarily the situation you’re in there and rhen - you wouldn’t harm anyone with handbrake on and at traffic lights, I wouldn’t harm anyone on a straight road in clear conditions - but it gives you the confidence to keep bending the rules until one day you’ll check your phone while driving and miss a pedestrian etc etc.

So no harm done now, but better to get the lesson than when you’re actually distracted and potentially hit someone

My phone goes in the glove box or inside the arm rest, when driving.

That only works if you don't rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

I know 3 people who have been caught, phone in hand, while behind the wheel. 2 were driving, one was actually stopped at lights, with the engine on. 2 of them got a NIP in the post, one was pulled over at the time, but somehow got away with a warning to not do it again. 🤷‍♀️

police are catching mobile phone users with new device, apparently every 6 minutes they catch mobile users and seat belt offenders

its best to not have mobile anywhere near the driver

🧟‍♂️

My friend had taken me to a medic

My friend collected me from a medical procedure. Whilst waiting she'd had lunch with a friend who had been caught speeding for the 3rd time on a camera on a lamppost. It's hidden but is angled to see people inside to ensure you're not on a phone. The first time she got a warning, the second she had to pay for a speed awareness course and the third she's got points.

Exactly!! Still illegal, but nowhere near the same thing