[Harvey Specter]

I wonder how effective this would be to deter distracted drivers.

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Do you ever get angry when you’re driving next to someone who is texting and driving?

Police are encouraging you to take a picture of that person in the act.

Victoria Police Chief Jamie Graham has made it clear this should only be done by someone in the passenger seat. He suggests passengers snap a photo of the distracted driver and their licence plate, if possible.

“If the case is serious and/or egregious, you should contact the police and insist that you’re prepared to go to court. if you’re prepared to do that, we’re prepared to [recommend charges against] the registered owner and take them to court.”

“And then they’ll have to explain to a judge why whoever was loaned the car — or they, personally — engaged in this kind of behaviour,” he adds.

Graham even wants you to go out of your way to take a photo of a distracted driver. He suggests you drive slowly down one lane while the other lane is stopped.

“Knowing that your fellow citizens are prepared to go to court and testify against [you], we think that’s important.”

Police also want tougher legislation for distracted driving, including stiffer fines.

Privacy group questions effectiveness

A local privacy group has a lot of questions about the police’s idea to get people to snap photos of distracted drivers.

Micheal Vonn with the BC Civil Liberties Association wants to know if it’s even an effective way to catch drivers. She also wonders why officers don’t do a test run before asking you to help out.

“Whether you might not be, in fact, creating more distraction in terms of these sorts of actions on the road. I think that’s a fair question.”

Vonn is also hoping police explain where the idea came from. “It would be interesting to know whether this was something that was dreamed up or are these campaigns that have been initiated elsewhere that we [police] actually have some understanding about. Whether they work, whether they operate, are they effective?”

Police are clarifying it would only be your passenger being allowed to take a photo of someone texting or talking on their cell behind the wheel, that image would then be used to help recommend and possibly lay charges.

[xilley]

Oh, okay so I should take my phone out to snap a pic of them while I drive too. SMART! WILL DEFINITELY DO!

[snails]

because people care enough to go to court so some douche gets a ticket?!

i see nothing about incentives to do so...

[snails]

Oh, okay so I should take my phone out to snap a pic of them while I drive too. SMART! WILL DEFINITELY DO!

He suggests passengers snap a photo of the distracted driver and their licence plate.

:badpokerface:

[Hondaracer]

Ill do it for sure for some clowns swerving all over the freeway, usually females are the worst when you finally able to pass and they have their phone in their lap
Posted via RS Mobile

[Spoon]

If I was on the lane next to the sidewalk, how are they going to tell whether I was parked or not. :derp:

[murd0c]

Would this count?

Man & Woman Caught Getting It In On A Motorcycle! - YouTube

[xilley]

:badpokerface:

When police ask people to do this, then obviously people are going to wether they are driving or not.

1. People that can't stand to mind their own business.
2. Typical snitches
3. Road ragers.

[Gnomes]

The shitty & dangerous drivers thread should be a goldmine.

[Sid Vicious]

why not richmond rcmp? we desperately need this!!!

[iEatClams]

Ill do it for sure for some clowns swerving all over the freeway, usually females are the worst when you finally able to pass and they have their phone in their lap
Posted via RS Mobile

Two of my friends have personally been hit in a car accident - due to the other drivers texting. Luckily for them, both incidents the other drivers at fault admitted to texting.

I see this all the time with people not driving when the light turns green or people crossing over road lines. texting is much worst than talking on the cell phone, ur not even looking up at the street!

[negative.one]

I think this is a very bad idea. Part of the reason we have law enforcement officers is because we trust that they will use some judgement on scene. This is the reason that we don't get a speeding ticket for going 52km/h in a 50km/h zone. The same goes for the distracted driver law. If a cop sees that someone is driving dangerously he will investigate. However, If someone was using their phone but driving safely this may not catch the attention of an officer and therefore cause no issues. Not sure about the rest of revscene, but I wouldn't appreciate it if for one moment I picked up my phone (to switch the song playing on my stereo, or check for missed calls) at a stop or lineup, only to have someone in the vehicle next to me invading my privacy and snapping photos, and end up going to court for distracted driving....

[Ronin]

Top Gear asked this question a couple seasons ago and I totally agree...when did people decide driving was so hard that we can't do anything but drive? Driving is easy. It doesn't matter if people are on the phone or whatever...shitty drivers will be shitty drivers.

Make it harder for people to get driver's licenses if you want to reduce accidents. This sort of crap is just a cash grab.

And Victoria? I drove there for a few days a couple months ago and it was fucking lovely because people know how to drive there. People actually understood what 4-way stops mean.

[negative.one]

Top Gear asked this question a couple seasons ago and I totally agree...when did people decide driving was so hard that we can't do anything but drive? Driving is easy. It doesn't matter if people are on the phone or whatever...shitty drivers will be shitty drivers.

Make it harder for people to get driver's licenses if you want to reduce accidents. This sort of crap is just a cash grab.


completely agree with this. before the distracted driving/cellphone law came into place, my parents would use their cellphone while driving for business reasons and never once got into an accident in over 20 years. Of course they weren't texting, just answering phone calls. Some people drive safe, others do not. A cellphone or any other device will not change this

[SpeedStars]

While there is some truth to the madness...regardless of how good a driver you are, if your eyes arent on the road, you're gonna have a bad time.
Posted via RS Mobile

[Kidnapman]

I think this is a very bad idea. Part of the reason we have law enforcement officers is because we trust that they will use some judgement on scene. This is the reason that we don't get a speeding ticket for going 52km/h in a 50km/h zone. The same goes for the distracted driver law. If a cop sees that someone is driving dangerously he will investigate. However, If someone was using their phone but driving safely this may not catch the attention of an officer and therefore cause no issues. Not sure about the rest of revscene, but I wouldn't appreciate it if for one moment I picked up my phone (to switch the song playing on my stereo, or check for missed calls) at a stop or lineup, only to have someone in the vehicle next to me invading my privacy and snapping photos, and end up going to court for distracted driving....

No, there is no judgement needed. There is absolutely no tolerance for using a cellphone even if you think you're a better driver than everyone else which in most cases you aren't. The law is the law.

[dangonay]

I'm gonna send in some pics of people getting road skull while driving.
Posted via RS Mobile

[finbar]

Councillor Shellie Gudgeon look out.

[knight604]

Aint no bodi got time for dis

[negative.one]

No, there is no judgement needed. There is absolutely no tolerance for using a cellphone even if you think you're a better driver than everyone else which in most cases you aren't. The law is the law.

Don't speak in absolutes. Of course there is judgement needed. Would you like to be given a ticket every time you don't come to a complete stop at a stop sign?

[rexsomnii]

http://c1.nrostatic.com/sites/default/files/nfs/uploaded/u12/ITS%20A%20TARP_0.jpg

[stewie]

Don't speak in absolutes. Of course there is judgement needed. Would you like to be given a ticket every time you don't come to a complete stop at a stop sign?

for me, I wouldn't have to worry, I actually stop at stop signs.

but day after day I see kids with N's on the back of their cars with a stereo cranked or a woman blabbing on a cellphone thats glued to the side of their head (coming home from Penticton on Monday, we drove almost 2 hours with the same 10-15 cars around us, the entire time this one broad had her phone at her ear). every time I see it I think to myself or say to whoevers with me in the car "look at this asshole...get off your fucking phone you douchebag".

if im driving down the road as a passenger and I see someone with a phone glued to their head, id love to snap a pic and send it in. if he doesn't get caught by police, he may go 5-10 years without being caught or end up in a severe accident, maybe him getting nipped in the butt will give him a wake up call sooner than later.

fuck it, cops asked for help with sending in photos for the riots, I don't see anything wrong with it happening with this.

my personal opinion, id be up for it. I don't break any laws so ive nothing to be worried about.

[MarkyMark]

My only complaint is some asshole without a passenger is going to see someone doing something they shouldn't, and then try to take matters into their own hands and take the picture themselves. Meanwhile they will be not paying attention as they try to get a picture of them and their license plate. Don't tell me people wouldn't try to do this, there are a lot of people out there like this.

[dark0821]

i am not going to lie, the whole time reading thru the article i was hoping that there will be a incentive program for the one taking the photos.

if that happens, i dare to say that a day on No.3 road will probably get you more income than your normal day jobs =P

[Kidnapman]

Protecting loved ones from distracted drivers should be more than enough of an incentive for anyone to do their part.

[rsx]

What if someone takes a picture of you taking a picture of someone??? and on and on...
Would you risk getting busted yourself?

[oaktree]

This is actually happening in Taiwan. People can take a picture/video of illegal acts ex. tossing garbage/butts out the window, cellphone/texting. but there is an reward for a ticket or prosecution. some people does this for living. heard a lot of them gets beat up haha.

my question: so if i find someone that took a picture of me. can i make them pull over and delete them? even though it is in public but i still can demand not to have my picture taken? also, can i now use pictures and videos to catch other illegal acts!?

i dont drive and text or talk on the phone but all of this is so unclear...

[FerrariEnzo]

why not richmond rcmp? we desperately need this!!!
This wouldnt do anything.. C-lais will crash regardless of texting/calling :lawl:

[stewie]

What if someone takes a picture of you taking a picture of someone??? and on and on...
Would you risk getting busted yourself?

It's a passenger who takes the picture.
Posted via RS Mobile

[FerrariEnzo]

Victoria Police Chief Jamie Graham has made it clear this should only be done by someone in the passenger seat. He suggests passengers snap a photo of the distracted driver and their licence plate, if possible.
What if someone takes a picture of you taking a picture of someone??? and on and on...
Would you risk getting busted yourself?
clearly you didnt read it

[StaxBundlez]

http://weknowgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/50-cent-picard-gif.gif

[rsx]

caught.

[Ronin]

for me, I wouldn't have to worry, I actually stop at stop signs.

but day after day I see kids with N's on the back of their cars with a stereo cranked or a woman blabbing on a cellphone thats glued to the side of their head (coming home from Penticton on Monday, we drove almost 2 hours with the same 10-15 cars around us, the entire time this one broad had her phone at her ear). every time I see it I think to myself or say to whoevers with me in the car "look at this asshole...get off your fucking phone you douchebag".

if im driving down the road as a passenger and I see someone with a phone glued to their head, id love to snap a pic and send it in. if he doesn't get caught by police, he may go 5-10 years without being caught or end up in a severe accident, maybe him getting nipped in the butt will give him a wake up call sooner than later.

fuck it, cops asked for help with sending in photos for the riots, I don't see anything wrong with it happening with this.

my personal opinion, id be up for it. I don't break any laws so ive nothing to be worried about.

Are you seriously comparing the riots to someone texting while driving?

As someone who has actually sent in photos of rioters, I did it because those are real crimes people committed. They attacked people, they smashed windows, stole things, burned cars, etc. That's the same as someone sending a tweet?

Driving is easy. If you can't talk on a phone while driving, you probably shouldn't be driving at all. We can all talk on the phone while typing on a computer or writing on a pad. There are a huge number of things that are more difficult than driving than most of us do while talking on the phone on a regular basis.

My argument isn't that texting while driving is a good idea...it's that it makes almost no difference. A good driver will be able to drive regardless of what else he's doing. I once pulled a "Mr. Bean" and got dressed for work while driving. I used to regularly talk on the phone or text while driving before it was made illegal. I've been driving for 14 years and I've never been in an accident where I'm at all at fault.

This whole thing isn't about reducing accidents. It's the police seeing a new revenue stream by making a new ticketable offence. If they cared about people's lives, they'd make it more difficult for visored c-lais and other awful drivers to get on the road.

This wouldnt do anything.. C-lais will crash regardless of texting/calling :lawl:

I know you're joking but... :D

[stewie]

Are you seriously comparing the riots to someone texting while driving?

As someone who has actually sent in photos of rioters, I did it because those are real crimes people committed. They attacked people, they smashed windows, stole things, burned cars, etc. That's the same as someone sending a tweet?

Driving is easy. If you can't talk on a phone while driving, you probably shouldn't be driving at all. We can all talk on the phone while typing on a computer or writing on a pad. There are a huge number of things that are more difficult than driving than most of us do while talking on the phone on a regular basis.

My argument isn't that texting while driving is a good idea...it's that it makes almost no difference. A good driver will be able to drive regardless of what else he's doing. I once pulled a "Mr. Bean" and got dressed for work while driving. I used to regularly talk on the phone or text while driving before it was made illegal. I've been driving for 14 years and I've never been in an accident where I'm at all at fault.

This whole thing isn't about reducing accidents. It's the police seeing a new revenue stream by making a new ticketable offence. If they cared about people's lives, they'd make it more difficult for visored c-lais and other awful drivers to get on the road.



I know you're joking but... :D

yes.

ive been accident free since the day I received my license when I was 16, 10 years ago.

when that family relative or friend of yours gets t boned at a red light from some jack ass trying to text his buddy. enjoy

and it does make a difference. I understand that lots of people can text while driving with no problem, hell, even I can, when im working ill use a laptop while driving to look up city blue prints. is it a cash grab? sure. but if this cash grab can potentially save someones life or prevent an injury to someone I know, then damn rights ill snap a pic. as for those c-lais and visored drivers with 8000 hello kitty dolls and figurines on their dash...don't even get me started with them lol...

theres a nifty little device people can buy from basically any store...wal mart...Costco...London drugs...its called hands free device. I gave one to my mom and dad called "blue ant". sync it with your phone, leave the device in your car, when you gget a call, you push the top button and it acts as a loud speaker and microphone. can hear quite easily and talk easily, would never even know they were using a hands free device

[coolname]

yes.

when im working ill use a laptop while driving to look up city blue prints.

you use a laptop when driving and are complaining about people texting while driving????


just an awful idea the only pictures you will get will be people changing a song at a red light or sending a text while stuck in bumper to bumper traffic

[Bouncing Bettys]

Say this orwellian-report-your-fellow-citizen practice was to spread to the states - Would this spell the end of the Bang Bus while also providing the police with free pron pics? I don't think I could live with myself if that were to happen.

[Brad Fuel]

Interesting idea but will not work in the long run.

Sure if you come across some douchebag driver some people may be willing to put in the work for a charge but I will guarantee most will not.

As a witness you will need to provide:
-Statement
-Photos
-ATTEND COURT - this is the big one as it will be about 1 year down the road. You will no longer be angry at that douche driver. You will not want to miss 1 day of work and pay to charge some guy $167.

It's a loss for the rest of society because EVERYONE will dispute a traffic ticket that is not based on first hand Police evidence. The court time, officer time, judges time, administrative time all outweigh that $167 even on a successful conviction.

[Iceman-19]

Protecting loved ones from distracted drivers should be more than enough of an incentive for anyone to do their part.

Taking pictures of people texting and driving is not saving lives, its making the police money.

[Brad Fuel]

Quite the opposite Iceman. It will be an overall loss in money by my prediction. When a ticket is issued, that money goes to the Province, not to the Police. I do not see this as a plausible cash grab as some may think.

[nabs]

Don't speak in absolutes. Of course there is judgement needed. Would you like to be given a ticket every time you don't come to a complete stop at a stop sign?

I'm sorry I had to...



http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130514084809/factpile/images/6/6e/Obi-obi-wan-kenobi-215164_1024_768.jpg

Only A Sith Deals In Absolutes

[Iceman_2K]

Not every photo is going to hold up in court - and if someone gets into an accident because they or their passenger is taking pictures of another driver, its just going to cause more problems. The bottom line is if you can't drive, then you shouldn't be driving to save your life, and others. I have just under 20 years of driving experience - there are people out there that have 40 or more, and they shouldn't even be on the road. Its not just people that have N's or c-lais - if you don't have the ability to use the vehicle, and are aware of the size and position of your vehicle, you shouldn't be driving. You're more of a danger to other drivers than someone who's using a hands free talking on their phone, or using voice dictation to send a text message. Another thing, if you are doing shoulder checks, using your rear or side mirrors, you're taking your eyes off the road for a small amount of time. If you can't even do any of these without getting into trouble - get off the road.

[TouringTeg]

I live in Vic and see people on their phones and doing the head bob all the time.

I can see photos holding up in court if you see the phone. I doubt a picture of a driver looking down at their lap to text will hold up in court as proof.
Posted via RS Mobile

[stewie]

Not every photo is going to hold up in court - and if someone gets into an accident because they or their passenger is taking pictures of another driver, its just going to cause more problems. The bottom line is if you can't drive, then you shouldn't be driving to save your life, and others. I have just under 20 years of driving experience - there are people out there that have 40 or more, and they shouldn't even be on the road. Its not just people that have N's or c-lais - if you don't have the ability to use the vehicle, and are aware of the size and position of your vehicle, you shouldn't be driving. You're more of a danger to other drivers than someone who's using a hands free talking on their phone, or using voice dictation to send a text message. Another thing, if you are doing shoulder checks, using your rear or side mirrors, you're taking your eyes off the road for a small amount of time. If you can't even do any of these without getting into trouble - get off the road.


the roads would be so nice and empty lol, it would be like driving through ghost towns hah.

[BoostedBB6]

Does this mean I can start sending the police pics of there own officers on there cell phones while driving?

Not sure how well that would go over but I do have a nice collection of them.

[Gridlock]

"Holy facebooking texters Batman, let's don our helmets, and utilize these safe bike lanes to capture these in-touch communicators and put them behind bars forever!"

"Easy does it Robin, because the local constabulary has citizens themselves send in photos of people like this so we can capture the real criminals of Gothvic City-anything happening in a Tim Horton's parking lot"

[J____]

so... if I see a guy on his phone while driving, I take out my phone to take a picture of him. What if I crash or cause an accident while taking a picture? Can I say it's not my fault because the police urged me to do this? What a stupid idea.

[FerrariEnzo]

so... if I see a guy on his phone while driving, I take out my phone to take a picture of him. What if I crash or cause an accident while taking a picture? Can I say it's not my fault because the police urged me to do this? What a stupid idea.
Clearly you didnt READ the OP or other people who said the same thing...

[Great68]

Jamie Graham is full of great ideas.

Like leaving a loaded gun under the seat of his car.

[MG1]

Kind of off topic, but I hate it when people drive in the HOV lane across the Port Mann. I'm no angel myself, but I draw the line at driving on HOV when alone. Anyway, my dashcam catch these HOV cheaters all the time. They switch just before the overhead recorders and switch back right after to save money. My dash cam records them doing it along with their license plate. Time stamped, too. I have not done this yet, but I would like to send in the footage. TreO can look up the license plate and when the car crossed the bridge, etc.

I'm no snitch, but it irks me to no end knowing these people are getting away with it. Like I said, I haven't done anything about it. I would laugh if TreO gets a hold of the person and say, "You have gone across the Port Mann Bridge 95 times in the HOV lane, you owe the people of British Columbia xx dollars." Never going to happen, but whatevers......

HOV cheaters, in my books, are right up there with people who go into Duty Free shops to get ahead - while other honest drivers wait for hours. It's like butting into a long lineup for a movie. Most people wouldn't do that, so why is it OK to do that in a vehicle?

/rant

[stewie]

Kind of off topic, but I hate it when people drive in the HOV lane across the Port Mann. I'm no angel myself, but I draw the line at driving on HOV when alone. Anyway, my dashcam catch these HOV cheaters all the time. They switch just before the overhead recorders and switch back right after to save money. My dash cam records them doing it along with their license plate. Time stamped, too. I have not done this yet, but I would like to send in the footage. TreO can look up the license plate and when the car crossed the bridge, etc.

I'm no snitch, but it irks me to no end knowing these people are getting away with it. Like I said, I haven't done anything about it. I would laugh if TreO gets a hold of the person and say, "You have gone across the Port Mann Bridge 95 times in the HOV lane, you owe the people of British Columbia xx dollars." Never going to happen, but whatevers......

HOV cheaters, in my books, are right up there with people who go into Duty Free shops to get ahead - while other honest drivers wait for hours. It's like butting into a long lineup for a movie. Most people wouldn't do that, so why is it OK to do that in a vehicle?

/rant

wasn't there a story about a motorcyclist who was caught on a toll bridge (no clue if it was here or not)? every time he would get near he'd reach back and fold his plate up so they couldn't see it. eventually he finally got busted and they made him pay for every single trip he had gone on at once.

as for the hov cheaters, try that on the Barnett hwy in rush hour lol. as for duty free, I simply wont let those people in, i'll sit 12" from the bumper of the car infront of me just so they cant get ahead. same as a highway entrance (specifically hastings going westbound) its a merge lane that merges onto the hwy, traffics backed up, they know it, cars sit in the middle of two lanes to prevent cars from sneaking up the sides while everyone else had to wait, yet the assholes still go around you on the shoulder to the very first car and just merge in like they did nothing wrong..assholes.

anyways, get up beside those drivers, shout at them saying its a citizens arrest, and send those videos in lol :p

[MG1]

About a month ago, this van with Washington plates driven by some lady was traveling in the bus only lane on Hwy 99. She was traveling at a pretty good clip. I move up along side her and crank up the external speaker on the CB and yell at her , "You are in the bus lane, you need to move out NOW! Read the signs!" I think I scared the crap out of her.

Also, there's a stretch of Broadway in both directions where the signs have the HOV diamond symbol, but is only for buses. People need to read the signs properly. If the sign has a picture of a bus and nothing else, it means bus only. If the sign has a car with 6 heads in the car icon, that means that only vehicles with at least 6 people in it, are allowed in that lane.