this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2026
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A woman drives with both hands on the wheel. Her phone sits face-down on her lap. No officer pulls her over. No lights flash. Weeks later, a $1,251 ticket arrives in the mail. The evidence: a single frame from a Camera surveillance app. The charge: phone use while driving.

Automated camera companies market their devices as automated license plate readers — tools for catching stolen cars, flagging warrants, and aiding serious investigations.

Sold as a Crime Tool. Used as a Fine Machine.

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[–] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 8 points 8 hours ago (4 children)

The only reason to have a phone in your lap while driving is if you intend to use said phone while driving.

[–] lastlybutfirstly@lemmy.world 5 points 5 hours ago

That logic can be applied to anywhere in the car that the driver can reach. Is the Australian government suffering a collective stroke? Should we send help?

[–] HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 3 points 5 hours ago

Or you are currently using it and trying to be sneaky about it

[–] Frigidlollipop@lemmy.world 2 points 5 hours ago

I honestly throw mine wherever without thinking about it. Def has been on lap or in crotch a few times.

[–] ricecake@sh.itjust.works 7 points 8 hours ago

Your phone fell off the dashboard phone stand, you caught it and set it in your lap.