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Original poster

I've been a massive idiot

20 replies

TheSmallestOneWasMadeline · 12/07/2022 13:52

Was on a virtual course with work and had to pop out at lunchtime. Got caught by temp traffic lights on the way back and was sat there for ages. My phone was in the car door pocket and I took it out to check if I had any messages from co workers re being late back. Put it straight back.

As I pulled away I realised a police car was behind me.

They didnt pull me over, but could I still get a fine/points through the post right? Is it likely?

I've got the cleanest licence so feeling so disappointed in myself. I've just gone back to work after mat leave so I'm feeling very flat and doing stupid things all the time at the moment. No judgement please 😫

OP posts:
Sugaspunsista · 12/07/2022 13:58

No. I think of you were going to be fined out would be an on the spot fine from the police

RedCarsGoFaster · 12/07/2022 13:58

I wouldn't worry too much. Realistically, they would have just pulled you over there and then.

Sugaspunsista · 12/07/2022 13:58

Sorry for bad typing...if you were..
And it would be...

Jules912 · 12/07/2022 14:02

I'm not a police officer but I'm pretty sure they have to pull you over there and then, and using a phone while stopped at traffic lights isn't going to be top of their priorities.
I was scrolling through my phone/reading while stuck on the M25 for over an hour on Sunday and was trying to work out if that was actually illegal given I was technically parked (traffic wasn't moving at all and I had the handbrake on).

Original poster
TheSmallestOneWasMadeline · 12/07/2022 14:40

I hope this is the case but I keep reading if they are on their way to another scene they can note your details and write you up later.

I deserve it of course, but I'm going to be anxious for the next few weeks now! Just gotta keep my fingers crossed...

OP posts:
softplay999 · 12/07/2022 14:42

I would be pretty sure that you won't get a fine. If they are going to send you one at a later date they would need photo evidence surely?

Original poster
TheSmallestOneWasMadeline · 12/07/2022 14:46

I just asked my DH (who isn't police but works in law enforcement) if police officers have the tech to photograph the inside of your car in that much detail (I was literally hovering over the door pocket a few seconds so quite low) and he looked at me like I was nuts and said no so that's promising I guess.

OP posts:
MarshaMelrose · 12/07/2022 14:51

How would they have seen it was your phone? Just tell you were looking at a map. Because it's illegal to read a phone but not to read a piece of paper.

Sharrowgirl · 12/07/2022 14:57

You’re way overthinking it. They probably didn’t even notice and even if they did, they have better things to do.

HardRockOwl · 12/07/2022 15:24

Do you suffer from anxiety in general? Because your reaction is rather odd

Both my husband and daughter are police officers - my daughter is here right now and she just laughed at the thought of the police popping round to see you later or sending you a letter. They also can't see through metal car doors

liveforsummer · 12/07/2022 15:27

They'd have pulled you over there and then. I very much doubt they'd have seen anything from the car behind anyway. I'll confess to looking at my phone sometimes at lights. They are everywhere at the moment with long waits and it's incredibly boring and time consuming sitting there.

Rosehugger · 12/07/2022 15:29

I think you'll be fine, don't worry.

Original poster
TheSmallestOneWasMadeline · 12/07/2022 15:45

HardRockOwl · 12/07/2022 15:24

Do you suffer from anxiety in general? Because your reaction is rather odd

Both my husband and daughter are police officers - my daughter is here right now and she just laughed at the thought of the police popping round to see you later or sending you a letter. They also can't see through metal car doors

Yes I do, what gave me away lol.

I hope yous all are right!!

OP posts:
IcedOatLatte · 12/07/2022 15:57

Unless they had their x ray specs on how could they have seen what you were doing?

Never say never but icant see you getting a fine

MarshaMelrose · 12/07/2022 15:57

We are! Trust us!!

guessmyusername · 12/07/2022 22:26

For those who say the police can't see, I was in a similar scenario stopped at traffic lights and they did see me. I was driving dhs car to go and get a puncture fixed. My phone went off and when I realised my Bluetooth was not connected, I touched my phone to see who was calling. A few 100 yards further on I pulled in to the garage and another car followed. I got out of my car and 2 policemen got out of the other car (not a marked police car). They challenged me and said they saw me touching my phone. They said they were not going to give me a ticket but wanted to warn me. I was so embarrassed. I have a clean licence and have never touched my phone before or after. I still don't know how they saw me as my phone was on the passenger seat.

TooManyPJs · 12/07/2022 22:43

Jules912 · 12/07/2022 14:02

I'm not a police officer but I'm pretty sure they have to pull you over there and then, and using a phone while stopped at traffic lights isn't going to be top of their priorities.
I was scrolling through my phone/reading while stuck on the M25 for over an hour on Sunday and was trying to work out if that was actually illegal given I was technically parked (traffic wasn't moving at all and I had the handbrake on).

I believe you have to have the keys out of the ignition.

liveforsummer · 13/07/2022 09:03

I believe you have to have the keys out of the ignition.

This is officially the case however you'd need a pretty bored officer to actually enforce fining someone in a parked car just because the keys were in place in the ignition (handy for keyless cars I guess). Same as technically you're not allowed to have a sip of water when stationary in traffic but it's so rare to be fined for it that it can actually make the news when it happens

Original poster
TheSmallestOneWasMadeline · 13/07/2022 09:15

Its illegal to drink water in traffic? Blimey I didn't know that. My commute involves the M5 so I've been sat for hours in summer holiday traffic constantly sipping water.

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 13/07/2022 09:24

I just asked a police officer I know.

The reply was "I doubt the officers even noticed what she was doing. And certainly all the ones I know wouldn't give themselves extra paperwork for someone who literally picked something up."

I think you'll be fine.

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