Posted on 04/13/2016 2:58:52 PM PDT by Kaslin
‘Textalyzer’ phone scanners that tell cops whether drivers were texting at the time of an accident could be deployed in New York state if proposed legislation passes. However, the scanners, which would harness mobile forensic technology, have already attracted fierce criticism from civil liberties activists.
Similar in concept to a ‘breathalyzer’ used to catch drunk drivers, the ‘textalyzer’ would let cops examine phones at accident sites for evidence of distracted driving. If implemented, the technology would be the first of its type used by police in the U.S.
Developed with New York state law enforcement, the scanners would not access drivers’ personal data, according to the bill’s supporters.
Nonetheless, the New York Civil Liberties Union has slammed the bill, which it says poses a host of challenges.
“Distracted driving is a serious public safety concern, but this bill is ill-conceived and misguided, and fraught with legal and practical problems,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman, in a statement. “This proposal appears likely to impute suspicion and guilt for a wide range of lawful activity, and to invite cops to seize phones without justification or a warrant. There are existing legal channels for law enforcement to access a phone or phone records if they have grounds to suspect distracted driving has occurred, rather than field-testing every fender bender.”
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Good. Your right to freedom to do as you please ends where it causes you to risk my life.
If we spent a quarter of the resources we do hounding motorists on illegals, we wouldn’t have an immigration problem.
While I think texting and driving is stupid, proved a warrant and then you can examine my phone, officer.
This technology does not require access to your phone.
Neither did the NSA metadata program, but look how up in arms the live were about that.
I don't even turn my radio on.
That is a completely different subject
No radio? How many ya gonna kill when you fall asleep?
They won’t be charging me with texting. I think it’s turned off on my phone. And how could I possibly text when I’m driving a stick-shift truck in traffic, drinking a beer and smoking? Some of us are just old-fashioned.
Good thing you can “text” without typing.
I’ve never texted and barely use my Walmart track phone, just have it for emergencies. Today I was behind a stupid female doing 25 in a 45 in her rice rocket while yapping on a cell phone. She crossed the center line twice and almost got clipped by a loaded logging truck. People like her are a menace.
On I 5 near Seattle the digital signs now read “Patrols are out for distracted drivers!”
When I am driving in Houston, I typically have the radio off, especially during rush hour. That is when my driving is in the tactical mode.
I text all the time while driving....local traffic, highway et al....
Never touch my phone....
Use the blue tooth from the car to the phone and just talk....simpler than a conversation. Responses are read to me....
Both hands on the wheel and eyes forward.... I never touch my phone while driving... text , unlike conversation can be paused if required...
lol.
I used to drive my cab with my knees while I wrote down the pickup information.
maybe 25 years since last accident.
See, talking on the phone while driving is just as dangerous because it distracts.
So the state can search your home any time it pleases for a gun because it might be used to kill someone? This can be turned right back on you.
You can’t drive at Fort Campbell with cellphone stuck to your face, the MPs will give you a ticket
That’s why everything I do is hands free....once I enter the car...I never touch the phone....
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