StanSP Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Seeing as this question didn't get much of a response on Twitter, I thought I'd put it out to the FT faithful. Basically, if I see a driver on their phone (which enrages me massively ), and I take a picture of them 'red-handed' so to speak, as well as a picture of their numberplate and then hand that it to the police, can they do anything with it? Will they do anything worthwhile with said photos?It sounds quite petty and could prove to take more effort than what the results of it may be, but it sickens me that people can get away with this. Especially in the latest instance I saw where a mother was veering and straddling 2 lanes round a roundabout with a baby in the back!
SystonFox Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Are you a passenger yourself whilst doing this?
potter3 Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Pretty sure they won't do anything from a photograph.
StanSP Posted 20 November 2013 Author Posted 20 November 2013 Are you a passenger yourself whilst doing this? Yes I was.
Parafox Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Think you'd need to provide date/time-stamped evidence as well as proof of location. Could be that the driver is in a hire car/company vehicle. How would you prove that the number plate was from the car with the phone-using driver. Too many potential inconsistencies to be admissable evidence, I think
Beliall Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 a lady crashed into a tree today after dropping her cigarette. she was turning a corner and kept turning. into a tree. at least you can see trees when you are on the phone. there are a million in car distractions as well as phones, why ban just one? what's the difference between chatting on the phone hands free and chatting with your pal in car?
lavrentis Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 It does also wind me up but snitches end in ditches.
NathanBlueFox Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 taking a photo with a mobile phone for using a mobile phone... logic. It does also wind me up but snitches end in ditches.
Captain... Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 a lady crashed into a tree today after dropping her cigarette. she was turning a corner and kept turning. into a tree. at least you can see trees when you are on the phone. there are a million in car distractions as well as phones, why ban just one? what's the difference between chatting on the phone hands free and chatting with your pal in car? Hands free is fine, it is holding a phone in one hand while driving that is illegal, unless I've missed something.
The God Emperor Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 I'm driving right now, got my laptop on my lap while I drive posting on FT. I'm such a badass
ADK Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Essentially no. It does annoy me too to see people wilfully endangering themselves and others in this way.
The Year Of The Fox Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 I know people say its dangerous. I hate to sound a cnut but id love to have a go on one of the simulators because I'm quite sure it doesnt distract me. It used to be a lot easier texting with old phones when you could feel for the button you wanted. It was easy enough to do without once looking at your phone. There are many other distractions. Tuning the radio, changing a CD, Sat Navs, kids arguing etc. You can't ban all them too.
Larry_LCFC Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 In a word, no. If it went to court, the defence would argue how does a photo prove the vehicle is moving? How can you prove the numberplate is from that vehicle? Is the photo even genuine or photoshopped. Sounds silly, but trust me, it would go nowhere. In most cases, its better to have two police officers witness it so nothing can be disputed. One police officer statement in most cases is still enough, but with none, you have no chance.
Fox92 Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 I hate seeing people doing it as well. I also hate people smoking whilst driving. I doubt the Police would do anything to be honest, who knows though.
I am Rod Hull Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Ban mobile phones. Fvckin horrible things...
Amin Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Ban mobile phones. Fvckin horrible things... Brilliant.
Beliall Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 a lady crashed into a tree today after dropping her cigarette. she was turning a corner and kept turning. into a tree. at least you can see trees when you are on the phone. there are a million in car distractions as well as phones, why ban just one? what's the difference between chatting on the phone hands free and chatting with your pal in car? Hands free is fine, it is holding a phone in one hand while driving that is illegal, unless I've missed something. they say its distracting having a conversation and driving. I get that you need to hands on wheel but as mentioned above, theres lots that people touch in the car. why ban phones at all? the lady this morning could have easily hit a child this morning ( It was near a school at 8.30) because of a dropped fag. could have been tuning the radio, adjusting the air con, anything.
StanSP Posted 20 November 2013 Author Posted 20 November 2013 taking a photo with a mobile phone for using a mobile phone... logic. In a car as a passenger, what else would I use if I don't have an actual camera with me?
SystonFox Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Yes I was. Fair one then. Curious as you didn't originally state. I was driving behind a girl in an Audi today and she was swerving all over, continuously using the windscreen spray for no reason and harsh braking. When I undertook her as I had no other option she was doing her make up and texting/face booking/tweeting at the same time! As I glanced at her she cracked a big friendly smile and she was genuinely stunning. Wanted to eff and Jeff at her but she got me with the puppy dog eyes
I am Rod Hull Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Fair one then. Curious as you didn't originally state. I was driving behind a girl in an Audi today and she was swerving all over, continuously using the windscreen spray for no reason and harsh braking. When I undertook her as I had no other option she was doing her make up and texting/face booking/tweeting at the same time! As I glanced at her she cracked a big friendly smile and she was genuinely stunning. Wanted to eff and Jeff at her but she got me with the puppy dog eyes
Larry_LCFC Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Why photo? When you could film!!!+ Same difference. She could say she was trying to get through to the emergency services at the time to report something. Prove shes lying....
Captain... Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 they say its distracting having a conversation and driving. I get that you need to hands on wheel but as mentioned above, theres lots that people touch in the car. why ban phones at all? the lady this morning could have easily hit a child this morning ( It was near a school at 8.30) because of a dropped fag. could have been tuning the radio, adjusting the air con, anything. But most other distractions only need you to take your hand off the wheel for a second, or if you are smoking you can still use your hand, if you are talking on your phone you have to hold your phone to your ear, why anyone would do that when pretty much every phone has a loudspeaker or a hands free mode, or bluetooth to the car radio. Texting is taking your hand off the wheel and not looking at the road. Why anyone would do that I don't know.
Bayfox Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 Same difference. She could say she was trying to get through to the emergency services at the time to report something. Prove shes lying....apart from the photoshop element. A film shows the action, the reg plate the fact a car is moving etc etc. Not saying it would be enough to take it to court.but your point about a coppers statement as well is bullshit. I've had 2 coppers when I was 17/18 both pull me for driving offences on separate occasions, both admit my word against theirs was never enough to make a charge stick.
Larry_LCFC Posted 20 November 2013 Posted 20 November 2013 apart from the photoshop element. A film shows the action, the reg plate the fact a car is moving etc etc. Not saying it would be enough to take it to court. but your point about a coppers statement as well is bullshit. I've had 2 coppers when I was 17/18 both pull me for driving offences on separate occasions, both admit my word against theirs was never enough to make a charge stick. Not bullshit at all. Signed statements and evidence given under oath in court from 2 police officers detailing the same in depth evidence would almost certainly result in points/fine if it went to court. Traffic offences in the area where I live are dealt with by traffic offences reports which is basically a form detaling the offence, vehicle and driver etc. On the back the police officer writes a statement which is then sent off to a central ticket office who then decide the punishment. If the evidence is there, the driver will almost always recieve fines/points. If the driver chooses to go to court, thats up to them. The outcome will usually be the same, unless there is a big discrepency with part of the evidence.
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