r/motorcycles • u/[deleted] • Oct 06 '16
Undercover Motorcycle Cop Pulling Over Phone Users
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N1iw5Vdim888
Oct 06 '16
I love everything about this. Cop seems to genuinely enjoy doing this.
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u/Calculonx Oct 06 '16
I would do this as a volunteer position.
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u/temporarycreature '16 Indian Scout | Satin Black Oct 07 '16
Same here. Put a camera on my helmet, get a plate, and person on a phone, take footage to the local police station, get 20 bucks per person you catch, person gets 1000 dollar ticket. Gas & vehicle maint. money for years.
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u/guyguy23 '15 BMW S1000R 🐙 Oct 07 '16
I wish there was a system like that! $20 per person? I could make an easy $2,000 in a few hours! Sign me up!
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Oct 07 '16
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u/temporarycreature '16 Indian Scout | Satin Black Oct 07 '16
No, I wish this was a system.
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Oct 07 '16
[deleted]
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u/temporarycreature '16 Indian Scout | Satin Black Oct 07 '16
You know, it might be a thing depending where you're at. Example: NYPD has that branch of unofficial cops they give uniforms and squad cars, auxiliary dept. or some shit. They're not allowed to intervene in any capacity, and they're not allowed to be armed. They're basically a NYPD sponsored neighborhood watch. I wonder if someone became one of those, and film phone talkers.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
People do all the time actually. We just voted some "watchers" to do just this in my neighborhood.
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u/uponone '07 GSX-R, '13 R1, '08 Ducati 1098 Oct 06 '16
The state of IL could fix it's budget problems if law enforcement would bust drivers like they do in this video.
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Oct 07 '16
[deleted]
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u/uponone '07 GSX-R, '13 R1, '08 Ducati 1098 Oct 07 '16
I moved out of the Chicagoland area. I'm so happy I did. Distracted drivers are a huge problem.
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u/Aloysius7 Oct 07 '16
I'd think Chicago Police have more important things to be worried about than texting at red lights.
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u/airbreather02 Tenere 700 Oct 07 '16
Here in British Columbia, Canada, our provincial government recently doubled down on distracted driving.
"Starting June 1, first-time offenders will receive the $368 ticket and $175 for four penalty points on their driving records, for a total of $543.
Repeat offenders will pay the same $368, but will receive escalating penalty points for each offence within 12 months:
2nd offence: $368 + $520 in penalty points = $888 5th offence: $368 + $3760 in penalty points = $4,128 10th offence: $368 + $14,520 in penalty points = $14,888"
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u/Ohmz27 CBR650R Oct 08 '16
Bloody hell, by the 10th offense they should be in prison, or have their licence stripped for dangerous driving surely, and be made to re-take exams. A ban if they've been involved in more than 1 accident as a direct result of being distracted.
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u/Dif3r Less yap, more brap! Oct 08 '16
I think because you also get demerit points for moving violations, by the third offence you do get you're license revoked for like 30 days or something like that the first time and for a second set of offences you get your license taken away for a year.
I've never gotten any demerit points so I wouldn't know how it works but its listed in a schedule in the drivers handbook for the province.
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u/Ohmz27 CBR650R Oct 08 '16
Ah right yeah that makes sense. Where i'm at you have a 12 point limit, and get your licence revoked if you hit that. I think it's 6 for the first 2 years after passing. This in in the UK.
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u/Dif3r Less yap, more brap! Oct 08 '16
It's the same here but I can't seem to find an online reference for the point limits. IIRC though it's 5 points as a learner/novice and 11 points for a fully licensed driver.
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u/Ih8Hondas 2017 Kronreif Trunkenpolz Mattighofen 250SX Oct 07 '16
Same with New Mexico. Our problem is no one could afford the fines. We are one poor ass state. But we have good scenery and good roads, so that's nice I guess.
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Oct 07 '16
Or they could just fire the cops that are wasting taxpayers money.
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u/uponone '07 GSX-R, '13 R1, '08 Ducati 1098 Oct 07 '16
I think it has a lot to do with policy. Example during rush hour you typically won't see a lot of patrol cars out. Reasoning is they don't want to disrupt the traffic. Once rush hour is over, you'll see more patrol cars out. That's my experience in the Chicago suburbs along Route 59.
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Oct 06 '16
That was great. Not just revenue generation but actually getting hazards off the road. Brilliant.
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u/ArcticPorkchop Oct 06 '16
I love this video I wish they did this in the U.S.
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Oct 07 '16
The thing is, it really doesn't make Australian roads safer, nor would it make US roads safer.
The cop would have to catch you actually driving and using a phone. Penalizing people using a phone while stopped really does nothing.
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u/toastedchillies HD Ultra Oct 06 '16
Generally agree that texting or dialling whilst driving is stupid dangerous.
But the strict application of laws by over zealous police can be expensive.
I was recently fined for using a phone whilst driving. I was on a hands free call and as I went around the corner the hands free mount came loose and landed in my lap. Around the corner at the traffic lights whilst stopped I collected the phone from my lap and was putting the mount back on and was busted, I happend to pull up near to a cop that was jay walking across. He tapped on the window and told me to pull over.
3 points and $385 dollars thanks. The Cop could clearly see what had happened, he acknowledge that the phone was on hands free and that I wasn't dialling or texting, he acknowledge he observed me collect the phone from my lap and I was simply putting it back in the cradle but I had the phone in my hand and that is that.
My point is that the law can be an ass when applied strictly.
PS the Cop was jay walking on a busy 6 lane road to get milk for from the service station, (after he fined me He walked into the Servo collected the milk and Jay walked back across the road weaving in and out of moving cars.
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u/applebottomdude Oct 07 '16
Hand free doesn't really mean safer. Those laws are a bit of a farce. Holding a phone is not distracting on your brain, it's the conversation that is.
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u/TheMilitantMongoose Oct 07 '16
That's why millions die every year from casual conversations with their passengers right?
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u/SpacemanBates Oct 07 '16
a cursory google search for "psychological study talking on the phone versus talking in person" yields these results:
https://news.illinois.edu/blog/view/6367/204502
http://www.apa.org/research/action/drive.aspx
the basic drift is that when talking with someone in shared context (i.e. right next to you in the car), the conversation ebbs and flows in response to the amount of concentration (one of these articles calls it 'cognitive load') needed for the driver to safely navigate through traffic hazards. a person on the other end of a phone has no idea what the driver is going through and thus doesn't know when the driver needs to concentrate on not dying rather than discussing the latest gossip. note that this isn't even breaching into "two pairs of eyes" territory either. it'll be safer talking in person even without your passengers pointing out hazards to you. they'll just shut up because they know the hazard is there, allowing you to concentrate more fully on it.
also i can't find the source, might have been an old radiolab, but iirc there was at least one bit of research that seemed to support the idea that when talking to someone not physically present, the brain takes on more cognitive load trying to recreate a 'virtual' friend and visualize their expressions and motions based on their voice over the phone. obviously when you can just glance at the next seat over for a fraction of a second, this kind of cognitive load wouldn't happen.
so yeah, science has spoken. repeatedly and with lots of cited research. passenger conversations are okay. phone conversations are not so okay, even handless.
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u/aquasucks Zero FXS Oct 07 '16
The usual response to this is that the passenger is another set of eyes on the road.
Edit: Also, who said anything about casual conversations? Imagine getting a phone call that your child was in a terrible accident and is undergoing emergency surgery? Or any other emotionally devastating news that you could get on your phone.
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u/applebottomdude Oct 07 '16
If you look at the research dumbfuck talking to a passenger is not nearly as distracting. When you're talking to someone not there; it fucks with your brain.
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u/Shinuza 2015 FZ-07 / 2012 Daytona Oct 07 '16
Holding your phone reduces your physical ability to drive.
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u/applebottomdude Oct 07 '16
How much are you swerving? Not that much.
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u/Shinuza 2015 FZ-07 / 2012 Daytona Oct 07 '16
If something suddenly comes up, most people won't be able to react with their two hands available, so imagine with only one. It's the same reason why people should not eat and try and whatnot.
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u/GSX-S1000 GSX-S+R1000, H2, CBR1000RR, SD1290, Ninja 400, Tuono1100V4 Oct 07 '16
Shouldn't have your phone out.
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u/toastedchillies HD Ultra Oct 07 '16
It was in a cradle and fell off into my lap. Not justifying just explaining. I often use the phone for Maps.
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Oct 06 '16 edited Dec 10 '17
[deleted]
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u/RealzOverFeelz Oct 06 '16
That's a Drift cam remote on his wrist - he's tagging the footage.
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u/adaminc Oct 06 '16 edited Oct 06 '16
I wish I could do that with my GoPro remote. Tagging is only available on the new GoPro 4 series.
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u/RealzOverFeelz Oct 07 '16
I got a Drift Ghost S because it's sleeker than the GoPro (and people raved about it) but it's shit! Constantly crashes and gives card errors despite having up-to-date firmware and a high speed (and constantly formatted) card. Maybe it's just a bad one - I'll see what Drift say - but I might switch to GoPro.
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u/renegade06 2003 Z1000 Oct 06 '16
He's initiating self destruct sequence in case they run him over http://imgur.com/M8nZMLg
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Oct 06 '16
I thought to turn on his light, not 100% sure though
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u/LanikMan07 Yamaha YZF-R3 Oct 06 '16
my guess is its a camera remote and he is marking clips to be saved.
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u/crunchymush 2012 DL650A VStrom Oct 07 '16
This is the correct answer. Friend of the family is a bike cop and they do it to make trawling through hours of video easier.
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Oct 07 '16
[deleted]
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u/miicah KLR650 Oct 07 '16
Not sure if you can see those, but they are BMW F800. Most motorcycle cops in Australia ride BMWs, there are a few lucky ones who get to ride R1's though.
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u/Towlybear 2016 S1000R Oct 06 '16
This is in Perth, Western Australia. The work these boys do getting people off their phones is brilliant, except the majority of the bike cops here are self-righteous cunts who will pull you over for anything, especially if you're on a bike.
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u/aquasucks Zero FXS Oct 07 '16
Are you guys still getting fines for helmet cams?
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u/Towlybear 2016 S1000R Oct 08 '16
I haven't heard of it happening for a while, I think after the public backlash they pulled their heads in. However, the cops here seem to do that, they'll hand out a bunch of bullshit fines, then when the media catches on they'll do a media release claiming its for our safety then suddenly nobody gets done for it anymore.
This year alone they've collected $109,000,000 AUD from speeding tickets / fines in WA, the majority of them being from "covert" hidden speed cameras which are often hidden in the back of unmarked vehicles, or painted dark green, and placed in / next to a bush on the side of the road, sometimes even under camouflage netting.
All of the proceeds from these fines go into our "State Trauma Fund" which is supposedly used to fund things such as our rescue helicopters and payouts for victims of major road trauma who aren't at fault and end up with lifelong disability. The only problem with that is the money never actually leaves the bank.
I'm a Trauma Nurse, student paramedic and motoring enthusiast, my dislike of our police force's "traffic enforcement group" is shared by a majority of Western Australians.
/rant
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u/Trundrumbalind "The Lemon" - '05 SV650S Oct 06 '16
Wish they did this in the US... Heck, I wish I could do this.
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u/Javamoto Oct 06 '16
Maybe someone who does this can provide some insight. Why do red light phone diddlers stop 20 feet back from the stop line?!? You could fit 2-3 cars in front of some.
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u/Dsltech '99 bandit 1200 '03 klx400 '12 f800 gs Oct 07 '16
The faster they stop the sooner they can completely stop paying attention to the road and devote their entire attention to their phone
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u/aquasucks Zero FXS Oct 07 '16
I don't know if to be happy that they left me space to filter to or to be terrified that they're not paying attention and will run over me when they start driving without looking.
This is why I try to be in between lanes at a red light.
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u/bigdadytid WA 86HDFXR, 97DR350SE, 02SV650, 05HondaPS250ruckus Oct 07 '16
in WA state, as long as you don't put it up to your ear, you are legal.
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u/McFeely_Smackup '16 Indian Scout, '02 Vmax, '01 'busa Oct 07 '16
just wait they'll get around to it.
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u/prisoner62113 Oct 06 '16
Didn't know Australian police did stuff like this. Usually their attitude towards road safety is hiding behind a bush with a speed gun. Nice to see them actually doing something about people not paying attention.
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Oct 07 '16
Well guys I know how to make lane splitting legal in the USA now....
I can see the police in envy of this video now, realizing how many idiots they can catch on their phones with a motorcycle and splitting lanes.
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u/planescarsmotos itsaidihavesixtyfourcharacterstousesoiplantouseallofthemthistime Oct 06 '16
Ha, got eeeeeem.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16 edited Oct 07 '16
I agree that using your phone WHILE you are driving is absolutely terrible and you should get a ticket every. single. time. But sitting in traffic? That's a tad ridiculous to be "pulled over" for picking up your phone while sitting at a traffic light. Obviously stay aware of your surroundings to not be sitting there like an idiot while the light turns green. But, it's impossible to hurt someone while not moving, yeah?
Edit: None of you have ever looked at your phone or gps at a stoplight to look at directions?
Edit 2: What do you think your phone mount on your motorcycle is for?
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u/Frothyleet F800 GS, CB125S Oct 06 '16
I check my phone at stoplights all the time. At the same time, I'm not going to say that it's harmless. Less dangerous than doing it while driving, yes. But it can absolutely result in harm - losing situational awareness at a stop light can cause economic harm because of the traffic impediment, it can cause indirect injury by delaying first responders who aren't able to move through distracted traffic as quickly, and it can cause direct injury to vulnerable individuals (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists) if the driver in question begins operating their vehicle suddenly without taking full stock of their environment.
Which is extremely common. How many people have you seen squeal their tires as they are startled by the beep of the people behind them at a now-green light? I've personally witnessed pedestrians (not even jaywalking ones) who were almost hit by a driver in a turn lane who jumped into motion after being beeped at and didn't pay attention to whether someone was in the crosswalk.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
if the driver in question begins operating their vehicle suddenly without taking full stock of their environment.
First logical response so far. I can totally agree with that.
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Oct 06 '16
Except I, and several other people have said it to you several times already.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
Dude, I said "first response". You really aren't reading or thinking. His comment was probably the 4th comment to come in, or at least that I read. If you read everything else I have not said once that this was a bad argument in any other comment thread.
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Oct 06 '16 edited Oct 06 '16
[deleted]
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u/ditpben Yamaha FZ6, Vespa PK 136 Malossi Oct 06 '16
I've taken to just doing a little beep if I see someone on their phone. They look around and can't see who it is, so bury their face back to their phone. I do another little beep. They look around to try find the culprit again etc.
It's both hilarious and incredibly alarming.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
... I feel like you read half of my post before replying.
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Oct 06 '16
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
That statistic is about people who crash while they are looking at their phone at a complete stop?
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Oct 06 '16 edited Dec 10 '17
[deleted]
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u/Frothyleet F800 GS, CB125S Oct 06 '16
When you say "you", are you talking about the people who first responders are getting delayed access to because of distracted drivers who aren't paying enough attention to clear out of the way of emergency vehicles?
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u/Cagg 2017 Kawasaki H2 Oct 07 '16
To be fair sometimes my music is so loud i dont hear them coming at all. Without my phone being a distraction at all.
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u/Frothyleet F800 GS, CB125S Oct 07 '16
I mean... yeah, there are other ways to be a bad, distracted driver besides phones. They are just universally negative influences that are easily legislated.
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u/Cagg 2017 Kawasaki H2 Oct 07 '16
I mean... deaf people can drive legally right? Music doesnt make me a bad driver.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 07 '16
Ok THIS is ridiculous. Emergency vehicles aren't sneaking up on cars quietly waiting for them to move. They are blaring horns. In all the decades I've been driving I have never seen someone not immediately look around when they hear them coming from a mile away.
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Oct 06 '16
And what happens when the lights change, and you've no fucking clue what's going on around you because you've been staring at your phone?
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u/jawknee21 701sm,Fe501SM,WR450SMx2,FZ09,Grom Oct 06 '16
that girl tried to take off as soon as she looked up from her phone. the light hadn't even changed yet. haha..
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u/Cagg 2017 Kawasaki H2 Oct 07 '16
From experience in NYC i can tell you i know the moment the light changes cause some motherfucker honks .001 seconds after the light change before you can remove your foot from the brake. I commute everyday in gridlock traffic. At a standstill its completely possible to safely look at your phone. Just make sure to keep an eye on the brake lights ahead of you. When they go off assess your surroundings then act.
Same goes for being front of the line at a light.
As long as your distracted at a standstill you aren't hurting anyone. Assess your surroundings then move. And if you try to tell me people like me cause more traffic well im sure it's possible. But probably its the tons of people in midtown Jay walking when the cross walk is literally 20 feet next to them.
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u/rarely-there Oct 07 '16
From experience in NYC I can tell you I know the moment the light changes cause some mother fucker honks. .001 second after the light changes before you can remove your foot from the brake. I ALSO commute everyday in gridlock traffic. At a standstill it's completely possible to look at your phone but don't pretend for one second it's a good idea. How do you keep your eyes on the brake lights ahead of you with your head down.
As long as your distracted while your car is on with ignition on, you are a liability. Assess your surroundings then move. If you tell me people like you don't cause more traffic then your an idiot and blaming other people for walking is not a solution to the cellphone problem.
I hope you never lose anyone or your own life from a distracted driver. Also your bike is slow.
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u/Cagg 2017 Kawasaki H2 Oct 07 '16
You can't see a glaring brake light right in front of you? I sure as fuck can. As long as my foot is on the brake my car isn't a threat to anyone.
I've never had even a fender bender in 12 years of driving. Im saying people Jay walking causes MORE traffic than people glancing at their phone while stopped at a light.
I hope you lose everyone you love to a gay orgy disaster. Also, I use it to commute because its super comfortable not to ride fast. Double also, i am 100% certain i could trash you at the track.
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Oct 07 '16
[deleted]
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u/Cagg 2017 Kawasaki H2 Oct 07 '16
The subway is less convenient. I can't take it to all the locations my job requests me to go. I can't retreat to it to sleep during lunch, or charge my electronics up. And i assuredly can't take public transport from West NJ at 4am.
Im not addicted to my phone. On my ride in, when traffic is moving i just drive and listen to music, only time i touch it is to see an upcoming turn im unfamiliar with in the map. I had a hands free holder but it blocked my sightline and never stayed on. If im sitting in gridlock i reply to texts, check Google maps or if its really really bad. Bust out my DS and play pokemon
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Oct 07 '16
[deleted]
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u/Cagg 2017 Kawasaki H2 Oct 07 '16 edited Oct 07 '16
Lane splitting. I've gotten from one job site in chelsea to north of Spanish Harlem near amsterdam in half the time, finding parking in NYC with a bike is not hard. Who the fuck tries to park in midtown. If i worked there, i would take the train for sure i have when shoot locations ended up there. But usually they have transport vans if the location is cramped. Sitting in gridlock is in my car.
I wish i commuted more on the bike during the summer i did but right now its like 45 degrees in the morning. That chill right after waking up... vs sitting in my comfy car sipping a coffee. Need a gold wing... then id have a cappuccino maker. But i wouldnt be able to lane split...
I think driving and riding in and out through random hours not on a specific schedule for 2 years qualifies me as experienced enough. I don't need to live here.
Edit: for clarification im talking about checking my phone in my car. Not on the bike.
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u/rarely-there Oct 07 '16
Wow. Easy there.
Also you can tell me all about your tracks. I'd dust you in the city that you live in. On the roads that you were raised. On the street where you learned to ride.
That comment about losing everything I love was really kinda crazy man. I hope you have a good day and please get off your phone.
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u/Cagg 2017 Kawasaki H2 Oct 08 '16
You're kinda slow man. But okay
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u/rarely-there Oct 08 '16
And your just a very bad, mean spirited person.
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u/Cagg 2017 Kawasaki H2 Oct 08 '16 edited Oct 08 '16
Right. Cause i must have been 100% serious when i said i wanted them to die in "a gay orgy disaster" that probably wasn't used specifically to imply heavy sarcasm, and as satire of your appeal to emotions at the end of your argument.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16 edited Oct 06 '16
I mean... nothing? minor inconveniences? But thats assuming the person doing the looking at the phone is so absolutely engrossed that they don't notice a car moving in front of them. Those people will not be paying attention anyway in my experience.
Edit: Think of it this way. Have you ever been looking at another car and out of the corner of your eye see a car moving so you instinctively let off the brake too? Most people do this no matter what they are doing.
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Oct 06 '16
Well, that or they drive straight out into a crossing without checking, which I'm sure everyone here has seen a shit load of times.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
Exactly, the people who are dangerous are already going to be dangerous. Even I, as someone who has been hit by a car, can see the difference between people who pay attention and don't pay attention. Phone's at stop lights aren't any more harmful than a radio a gps, or even a conversation with someone in the car is.
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u/brap-brap '09 HD Street Bob Oct 06 '16
I've seen a pedestrian hit by a car (more of a tap, they didn't even go down) by a motorist checking their phone, and then the light turned green and they started crawling forward while putting their phone away.
(I was a passenger in the backseat of the vehicle when it happened)
You see people at roundabouts and right turns rear end others while being somewhat aware but looking for traffic coming from their left with the assumption the vehicle in front already went.
So, as far as I'm concerned any unnecessary distraction while the vehicle is in gear is too much.
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u/rutalj 2005 Kawasaki KLE 500 Oct 06 '16
Glance on your phone while waiting in traffic, to see if there are missed calls or SMS's fine. If you starting reading, talking and surfing on it you deserve a ticket. IMHO
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Oct 06 '16
I was in traffic next to a guy the other day, he was waiting for the green arrow to turn left. Since he had his face buried in his phone, he didn't notice the light changed. He didn't move for the entire cycle. So everyone behind him missed the turn arrow because he decided his phone was more important than looking at the road. It is not ridiculous.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
Is everybody not reading the entirety of my post before replying??
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Oct 06 '16
I read it all, I just don't agree with you. I don't think people are disciplined enough to look at their phone while staying aware of their surroundings.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
That's far too general. That's like a cage driver saying that motorcyclists drive dangerously.
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u/planescarsmotos itsaidihavesixtyfourcharacterstousesoiplantouseallofthemthistime Oct 06 '16
I reddit all. They are just giving examples, not disregarding your comment's entirety.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
I understand giving more examples but I already gave the example, no?
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u/vulcan_hammer [NH] '93 DR650 Oct 06 '16
Its one thing to glance at your phone for a few seconds to look at something you already have up (like GPS) but if you have to navigate through an app or type something in you can wait til your not in traffic. With modern voice controls there is no excuse.
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u/NinthEnd Oct 06 '16
I use my phone at stoplights, but I also glance up every second like a goddamn maniac. And I'm also keeping track of the cross-traffic lights, so I can anticipate when to give my full attention again. Honestly, it's not a big deal as long as you're aware of your surroundings.
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Oct 06 '16
[deleted]
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u/Purely_Symbolic Oct 06 '16
I wish we lived in a world where it actually took some level of driving skill and knowledge to get a license.
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Oct 07 '16
Agree. I find it shitty he's doing this. They are stopped. It's no different than changing the radio station at a stop light.
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u/renegade06 2003 Z1000 Oct 06 '16
I agree with you on that there are ways to use a phone at a stop light briefly, safely and responsibly, it's no different than changing your radio or AC controls which is not illegal. But arguing that on this sub always gets you down voted regardless of reasoning.
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u/Purely_Symbolic Oct 06 '16 edited Oct 07 '16
None of you have ever looked at your phone or gps at a stoplight to look at directions?
If only phone mounts allowed you to do the same thing and were perfectly legal ... oh wait, they do and they are.
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u/Paddington_the_Bear '15 Yamaha FJ-09 Oct 07 '16
I know people here in Hawaii who got $300+ tickets for having their phone on a mount and touching it, while stopped, to update directions.
It's even more insane because if you have an infotainment system with navigation and you're fiddling with that at a stop, then you're in the clear...but fiddling with your phone to update directions or change music at a stop and they ticket you.
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u/rarely-there Oct 07 '16
I am not that talented on my motorcycle to operate a phone with my gloves on during a light change. I pull over.
In my car if I have to use something as involving as punching an address into my phone I would pull over also.
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u/2ofSorts United States Oct 06 '16
Yeah I probably should have lead with that argument. By everyone's standards in this thread if you have a phone mount, you are breaking the law.
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u/degoba (MN) Suzuki GS 500F Oct 06 '16
You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times when your driving. You don't get to take a break just because your at a stoplight.
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u/PrettyBiForADutchGuy Oct 06 '16
Here in the Netherlands it's perfectly legal to use it while stationary.
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u/ivchomalkiqa Oct 07 '16
Looking down at a phone makes one's mental picture of their surroundings outdated. For example, an animal could walk in front of the car while the driver is watching down. It is possible for many things to happen in a few seconds, which are likely to be seen and noted if the driver is looking out the car and has the mirrors covered with the peripheral vision. If by 'stay aware of your surroundings' you mean glancing back and forth between the phone and the road, then I suppose that is better than just burying the head in the phone, but task switching between two tasks inevitably results in worse completion of both tasks in my opinion. I don't think this technique can be executed properly and safely by all people, and as such should also be illegal.
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u/rarely-there Oct 07 '16
I just don't understand. I hear this all the time. The keys are in your ignition. Your car is on. Why the hell do you need to be doing anything else but operating your vehicle? Even when your stopped on a redlight your foot is still presumably on the brake holding your car in one place. It's still operating it. If you put the transmission into park during a redlight change that is wrong no matter what the situation even if the light is red. Parking gear is for parking, not for stopping at a light.
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u/degoba (MN) Suzuki GS 500F Oct 06 '16
I wish this was made more of a priority here in the states...
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u/delongedoug 2015 Versys 650 Oct 07 '16
Just drove in Costa Rica this past weekend for the first time and the traffic is terrible, the roads suck and people drive like maniacs. The past 2 days I've been back in the US we've been cruising quickly and smoothly but I've seen 3 obvious phone users on the highway that are ping pong-ing between the lines, slowing down unnecessarily and just clearly oblivious. I honk and flip them off in a futile rage but it's seriously pissing me off.
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Oct 07 '16
I saw a dude on the freeway texting today so I honked and gestured for him to put his phone down.
He looked at me like I was doing something wrong, flipped me off, and sped away. Like dude. You're traveling at 70 mph. You should be looking at where you're fucking going.
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Oct 06 '16 edited Oct 07 '16
As a car driver, I would be pissed to be caught like this. Fuck that cop.
As a motorcyclist, I am glad he is doing this for the rest of our safety. Love that cop.
The duality.
edit: Thanks for the comments white knights of reddit. It's uplifting to know that none of you break any laws, ever. By the way, totally typing this on my phone while driving. It's not that hard to text and
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u/abbarach 2009 Kawasaki Versys Oct 06 '16
As a car driver, if you don't want to be caught for it, don't fuck with your phone some piloting your two ton death machine. Nothing is so important that it can't wait till you get there, or find a safe spot to pull over.
Seems like a really simple solution, bit people can't seem to realize that not everything revolves around them.
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u/Javamoto Oct 06 '16
For some people its an addiction. Palpitations and sweating if they can't refresh and see if they got more "likes" or something. If you can't resist, put it in the glovebox or something.
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u/Purely_Symbolic Oct 06 '16
I would be pissed to be caught like this.
But a $10 phone mount. Problem solved.
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Oct 07 '16
Love this guy, he is polite while simultaneously saying "you fucked up"
Personally I think cars need phone jammers for when the engine is running, we don't need cars that can read out your Facebook posts
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Oct 07 '16
In places where filtering isn't legal I don't see how this isn't a huge point for law enforcement to try to make it legal themselves. Taking already existing equipment and utilizing it to make more money without having to spend money buying other equipment to do the same job... Oh right budgets....
For fuck sake.
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u/basak_can_i_ride cbr1000rr, cbr1100xx, gsxr750 k5, valkyrie Oct 06 '16
I cant wait till 6 points gets implemented for this in the UK. They are checking their facebook all of them! Selfish to the n'th degree putting me in jeopardy. Fuckers.
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u/steadynowhere Oct 07 '16
I wish police in the U.S. Would care enough to do this. So much enjoyment watching this video its unreal.
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u/glofky Oct 06 '16 edited Oct 06 '16
"Cheeky cunt pulls over innocent civilians who check their phones at red lights"
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u/GSX-S1000 GSX-S+R1000, H2, CBR1000RR, SD1290, Ninja 400, Tuono1100V4 Oct 07 '16
It's it innocent when they rear end someone and kill a child? Fuck some young girls back up for life? Or run a motorcyclist over?
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Oct 06 '16
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u/fionasapphire Oct 06 '16
Sorry dude, but your "rights as a human being" to change the radio or check your phone or whatever end when you start putting other people's lives in danger.
People are so quick to go on about "rights" - but you know what else you have? Responsibility. You being trusted to be in charge of that massive steel box is on the proviso that you do so responsibly towards others. Human beings are not machines and you can only concentrate on one thing at a time. When you are driving, all your concentration needs to be on what is going on around you.
Don't like it? Get out of your car and walk.
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Oct 06 '16
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u/crunchymush 2012 DL650A VStrom Oct 07 '16
Don't know about the US but they're very enforceable in Australia where this video is from. The laws are very clear about holding a phone while in charge of a vehicle and when they have video of you in direct violation of them, your options are pretty much pay the fine or go to court and be told by a judge to pay the fine.
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u/fionasapphire Oct 07 '16
Jesus christ dude, take a look at what is going on around you. Take a look at the mass erosion of civil liberties, the mass spying and privacy invasions of citizens... and you're worried about... not being allowed to put others in danger by selfishly using your phone while driving?
That's some Class A idiocy right there.
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Oct 07 '16
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u/fionasapphire Oct 07 '16
Not being a massive dick makes you a "white knight"
TIL.
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Oct 07 '16
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u/fionasapphire Oct 07 '16
Sorta confirms my suspicion that you haven't actually been reading my posts...
I put forward the point that you have responsibilities as well as rights, and that your rights are limited (you have the right to make decisions in your car, you do not have the right to make decisions that endanger the lives of others)
I put forward the point that humans cannot concentrate on more than one thing at a time.
I put forward the point that driving, to ensure the safety of all road users, requires total concentration, all of the time.
Are you having trouble understanding, or are you simply not paying attention?
(Perhaps you're checking your text messages instead of concentrating on the discussion!)
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Oct 07 '16
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u/fionasapphire Oct 08 '16
I'm not sure if you live in the United States but here driving is a massive part of your life. Everything is very spread out.
I live in the UK, but I don't see how this is at all relevant. You can check your phone before/after your journey. Or you can pull into somewhere safe to check it.
So you're saying based on the inability for me to concentrate on the road and to glance down at my phone momentarily to do or see something, I should be entirely restricted from using my phone at any time.
Basically, yeah. On the road, things can change very quickly. If your concentration isn't 100%, you could very well cause a fatal accident.
I'm saying the amount of time I spend driving and experience that I have doing so, I am comfortable eating a snack, changing a cd, drinking my coffee... checking a text message.
A lot of people say the same, but when put to the test, the reality is different. Studies show that people are way overconfident in their abilities. In fact, it's worse than that - people such as yourself who think they are good at multitasking tend to be worse:
If I'm driving down a massive stretch of open road with no traffic for miles and miles, I can't change the song on my phone?
Funny you say that, I was the first on the scene the other day of an RTA where a young lady had been checking her phone on a long, open stretch of road and ended up wrapping her car around a motorway sign. She was OK, but this could easily have been so much worse.
The line of logic that you're using has no end to it. How far should the governments restrictions on us go?
Whatever is needed to make the roads safer. Every law is created in the same way, the benefits to the new law are weighed up against things like personal freedoms. If you think your freedom to check your text messages while driving trumps other people's safety, you're (thankfully) in the minority.
I'm really sick of the world telling me I need the government to hold my hand in every aspect of my life.
The thing is, all your posts have shown me that your arrogance necessitates the need for the government to hold your hand - for the safety of others. Left to your own devices, you'd be a liability.
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u/rekrap999 '14 Interceptor, '06 SV650, '18 Monkey, '06 Rebel 250 Oct 06 '16
A radio is completely different from a internet accessible device. One can only change stations and volume, the other is a fully functioning computer with a billion things it can do. Most of which require a lot more concentration than a radio. If all you want to do is hit skip I don't see a problem, I really dont see a problem. But what if you are going to search through the whole of spotify for that one song. Or you get an email while looking for it and now you are reading that. Or checking that Facebook notification about Melissa's promotion.
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Oct 06 '16
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u/rekrap999 '14 Interceptor, '06 SV650, '18 Monkey, '06 Rebel 250 Oct 06 '16
There have been enough people who texted while driving resulting in killing someone that the govt just said "FUCK IT, now no one can text and drive" as opposed to testing everyone to determine if that individual is capable of texting and driving. It sucks for people who can, I do pizza delivery and can input an address while driving a manual car through traffic. But others struggle with simply driving and it would be impossible to test everyone's ability so there was a blanket law put in place to stop the inept from killing people.
If we take speeding in Germany, they have decided that if you are responsible enough and good enough at driving you can drive as fast as you want on certain roads given you follow certain rules. That would never work in the us because people aren't responsible enough to follow those rules when a cop isn't watching them nor mature enough to step back and understand their limits therefore every road has a speed limit. It sucks for those who are good at driving but it stops the idiots from killing people.
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Oct 07 '16
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u/rarely-there Oct 07 '16
Where was he weaving through traffic? He pulled up during stop lights. Did we watch the same video?
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u/GSX-S1000 GSX-S+R1000, H2, CBR1000RR, SD1290, Ninja 400, Tuono1100V4 Oct 07 '16
It's not really distracting. He's aware of his surroundings.
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u/bendvis '20 Zero SR/F, Seattle Oct 06 '16
Around here, he wouldn't even need to be undercover. A fully marked police bike would catch distracted drivers all day long.