Annoying cop

[Deleted]

So last night I was on my way home from the show. I was sitting at this LONG-ass red light so I was dinking on my phone looking up stuff to enter in MFP. Light turned green, I dumped my phone in the passenger seat and started moving, turning on to the on-ramp. Cop flicks on his lights and pulls me over. When he walked up, he wanted to know what I was doing on my phone because you can't use it while driving. I was a bit surprised and said, "But I was at a complete stop and not moving whatsoever." He said he watched me use my phone and noticed I got rid of it when I started moving (see? NO ENDANGERMENT OF ANYONE) but that the law is "while operating a vehicle" not "while the vehicle is in motion". He let me off with a warning. I'm glad I didn't get a ticket, but seriously, was he having a slow night? Did he feel like he needed to make a point? He freaking MENTIONED that he saw me put it away before putting the car in motion (and THAT'S the danger, driving preoccupied).

Oh, and seriously, how is dinking on your phone ANY different than the umpteen OTHER things people do while stopped at a red light (dig in the back seat, look in the glove box, dig in their purse, etc).

[jennlin]

Oct 12, 2012 14:02:41 GMT -5 @ksta said:

Oh, and seriously, how is dinking on your phone ANY different than the umpteen OTHER things people do while stopped at a red light (dig in the back seat, look in the glove box, dig in their purse, etc).

it's not any different. that's why they can give you an "inattentive driving" ticket. i know this from personal experience.

sucks you got pulled over, but really, it *is* illegal to use your phone at lights...

[llh0211]

Oct 12, 2012 14:02:41 GMT -5 @ksta said:

Oh, and seriously, how is dinking on your phone ANY different than the umpteen OTHER things people do while stopped at a red light (dig in the back seat, look in the glove box, dig in their purse, etc).

I totally agree. I know that the law says you can't at any time, but seriously... you can fuss with the stereo, put on makeup, shave... whatever. But you can't look at your phone while you're at a complete stop? My dad got a ticket for that a few months ago. He's still bitter at the Lynnwood police.

[InBetweenDays]

Eh, I kind of agree with the cop on this one. As jennlin said it is illegal, and I actually do see a pretty big difference between being on your phone and grabbing something from your back seat. When getting something from your back seat or your glove compartment it is usually a finite task whereas looking at one thing on your phone often leads to go to another site, etc. And you tend to tune out your surroundings more when you are on the internet on your phone.

I say this as someone who has used my phone at stop lights. So I'll admit to doing it (although I try not to) but know I am in the wrong when doing so and wouldn't be surprised if I got pulled over if a cop saw me.

[amandasw]

Oct 12, 2012 14:43:29 GMT -5 @jennuinne said:

Disagree, he's a douche.

ditto - I would consider it the same as turning to talk with a passenger, doing make-up, looking in backseat etc. Anything that would make you take your eyes from looking straight ahead should = the same thing and no one gets pulled over for any of that.

[Deleted]

I didn't fully realize it was illegal while the car was not in motion. I do now.

But yeah, I was looking up the calories for chicken satay to enter in my MFP, so it was a finite activity

[Deleted]

Oct 12, 2012 16:10:38 GMT -5 @ksta said:

I didn't fully realize it was illegal while the car was not in motion. I do now.

I'm glad he let you off with a warning and you taught me something new today!

[joenali]

It's illegal. How is the cop being a douche for just telling you that you shouldn't do it anymore? You are lucky you got off with a warning.

[joenali]

How was he being a douche? He let her go??