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 ...
“Shut up and drive” ping
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hands-free-texting-is-no-safer-to-use-while-driving/
http://bicycleuniverse.info/cars/cellphones.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/talking-on-a-hands-free-cellphone-is-as-bad-as-driving-drunk-2013-8
Just about every week, somebody in my area rams into someone else, while yapping on their phone.
Whose life is less important than whatever thing you could easily wait to say?
I see idiots taking selfies at stop lights and posting them to FB, for crying out loud.
I agree with you completely, because when I drive I concentrate on the traffic. I even do that when my husband or son is driving
So do I.
He is not country-born and lacks “animal eyes” so I’m constantly alerting him to deer, coons, possums and such, about to leap into the road.
Since the advent of cell phones, the drivers in my area have gotten even worse than before.
Almost every single time I’ve had to take evasive action on my Harley, the driver was yapping.
Last week, during the horror show Sunday evening back-to-the-city-exodus on I-70 E, a dork wearing a British driving cap, his Jeep plastered in Democrat bumper stickers, casually crossed the line and drifted within an inch of our front fender, at 70mph, as he blabbed on his phone.
From what the state troopers told me, somewhere between there and wherever he was headed, he’d be picked up.
I hope they got him.
[frankly, I hope they pistol whipped him]
If I’d been thinking better, I’d have called a state trooper/biker friend and gave him the tag number, for a little personal service.
I will admit things are getting easier. At least the new truck has a beverage holder. And a radio, power steering and air conditioning. Getting spoiled, I am.
In my old ‘67 VW Bus, I could shift some gears with my foot. I miss it.
Your right to freedom to do as you please ends where it causes you to risk my life. Owning a gun does not risk my life. Concealed carry does not risk my life. You doing heroin does not risk my life. You drinking does not risk my life. You driving impaired risks my life.
I never text on my phone and I dont talk on my phone while driving.
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