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The issue is that only 15 states ban using/holding your phone while 48 ban texting for all drivers. [1] This means that unless you would need a very high resolu

The issue is that only 15 states ban using/holding your phone while 48 ban texting for all drivers. [1] This means that unless you would need a very high resolution image with litle blur to determine that they were 'texting' (or you investigate after an accident). A lot of people still have to interact with the phone itself for maps & media so the US is very handicaped at enforcing these laws. [1] http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-phone-u...

yjftsjthsd-h 7y ago
> you would need a very high resolution image with litle blur to determine that they were 'texting' Bigger reason: This amounts to "set up cameras that record exactly what's on the screen of every phone that goes by", which is an utter nightmare in terms of privacy.
- blacksmith_tb 7y ago
  Hmm, if you're in a jurisdiction where it's illegal to be using your phone, I'm not sure how upset we should be about the police invading your privacy to prove you're breaking the law? I suppose you could argue that such a camera would also potentially capture the screens of passengers, though.
  - yjftsjthsd-h 7y ago
    > I suppose you could argue that such a camera would also potentially capture the screens of passengers, though. That is exactly the main argument that I would make:) It also amounts to a permanent warrantless recording of a space that most people would expect to be semi-private, which is worrying even if you assume that it will only affect the guilty.
    - pbhjpbhj 7y ago
      You expect a car driving down the road to be private? Like, you don't think anyone can see what you're doing?
  - big_chungus 7y ago
    I'd be more upset about the idea of being snooped on by cameras everywhere I go. That _really_ doesn't sit right with me, and there are certainly concerns around privacy, security, and a government that probably shouldn't be trusted with such info.
  - farisjarrah 7y ago
    Big difference between living in a jurisdiction where its outright illegal to use your phone and living in a jurisdiction where the act of driving while holding/using the phone is illegal, and they are two very different things. Many people live in a place where the latter is the case. Its fair to not want people to be distracted drivers while also wanting privacy. Is there no room for a middle ground?

yjftsjthsd-h 7y ago

> you would need a very high resolution image with litle blur to determine that they were 'texting' Bigger reason: This amounts to "set up cameras that record exactly what's on the screen of every phone that goes by", which is an utter nightmare in terms of privacy.

blacksmith_tb 7y ago
Hmm, if you're in a jurisdiction where it's illegal to be using your phone, I'm not sure how upset we should be about the police invading your privacy to prove you're breaking the law? I suppose you could argue that such a camera would also potentially capture the screens of passengers, though.
- yjftsjthsd-h 7y ago
  > I suppose you could argue that such a camera would also potentially capture the screens of passengers, though. That is exactly the main argument that I would make:) It also amounts to a permanent warrantless recording of a space that most people would expect to be semi-private, which is worrying even if you assume that it will only affect the guilty.
  - pbhjpbhj 7y ago
    You expect a car driving down the road to be private? Like, you don't think anyone can see what you're doing?
- big_chungus 7y ago
  I'd be more upset about the idea of being snooped on by cameras everywhere I go. That _really_ doesn't sit right with me, and there are certainly concerns around privacy, security, and a government that probably shouldn't be trusted with such info.
- farisjarrah 7y ago
  Big difference between living in a jurisdiction where its outright illegal to use your phone and living in a jurisdiction where the act of driving while holding/using the phone is illegal, and they are two very different things. Many people live in a place where the latter is the case. Its fair to not want people to be distracted drivers while also wanting privacy. Is there no room for a middle ground?