Seizing cell phones from distracted drivers

[Maxt]

The tyranny of safety...

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/03/09...-seizure-pitch

Alberta’s top cop is watching with interest following a pitch by police in B.C. to seize cell phones from distracted drivers in that province.

On Thursday, the B.C. Chiefs of Police Association passed a motion asking the government to expand their powers under the province’s distracted driving law to allow them to temporarily seize the cell phones of drivers caught talking or texting behind the wheel.

Under the proposal, which has been referred to a meeting in June, cops would take away phones roadside, which can be picked up at the police station 24 hours later.

The association is also considering asking to increase the current $167 penalty.

While Alberta’s Solicitor General Jonathan Denis wants to see results before taking action in this province, he said he is “watching with interest.”

“I would have to look at the constitutional implications and also whether it has had the desired effect of reducing distracted driving in other jurisdictions,” he said.

Calgary police chief Rick Hanson, who is also past president of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP), has pushed to add demerits to distracted drivers’ fines.

“I know distracted driving remains a significant safety issue in virtually every province and police services everywhere are looking for solutions,” Hanson said on Saturday.

“We have forwarded our (AACP) resolutions to the provincial government.

“The real answer is for common sense to prevail with drivers who still persist in texting while they drive and thereby create a significant risk to others on the road.”

The Calgary Police Association is also taking a wait and see approach, said president Howard Burns.

“The CPA recognizes that distracted driving is a serious problem that can have life-ending or life-altering consequences,” he said.

“Generally we would be supportive of initiatives that discourage distracted driving, as it is our members that get to deal with the carnage when things go wrong.”

He said anything beyond fines and demerits would require “significant thought and discussion.”

“If B.C.’s initiative actually reduces distracted driving, it may be worth considering for those who flagrantly disregard Alberta driving laws,” he said.

As for the police request to add demerits, Denis said he wants to wait to see how the current law is working.

“We will look at it at the end of the year and see if it’s necessary,” he said.

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[revelations]

With the number of existing seriously bad oriental FOB drivers in Vancouver/Lower Mainland - and now add texting to their list of accolades - I would actually support this - in the lower mainland region. Many think they are above the law and having their toy pulled would get their attention.

I dont see NEAR the problems with distracted driving here in Calgary.

[C_Dave45]

Next on the agenda: "time-outs" and "go sit in the corner" for bad drivers.



My phone is my business...my safety device for emergencies...my contact with my special needs son.. A cop tries to take my phone away and I'd say, put me in jail before I give you my phone.
Fucking ridiculous idea.

[lilmira]

Give them one of these.

[FraserB]

Just carry an old phone that isn't active, hand that over.

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by C_Dave45
Next on the agenda: "time-outs" and "go sit in the corner" for bad drivers.



My phone is my business...my safety device for emergencies...my contact with my special needs son.. A cop tries to take my phone away and I'd say, put me in jail before I give you my phone.
Fucking ridiculous idea.

Agreed.

Cops should be enforcing the law, not trying to make it.

[Modelexis]

Originally posted by C_Dave45
A cop tries to take my phone away and I'd say, put me in jail before I give you my phone.
Fucking ridiculous idea.

A large portion of the population would support cops throwing you in jail for not handing over your personal property.

[DeleriousZ]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

If you don't want your phone taken away, don't use it while you're driving. Seems pretty simple.

[Modelexis]

Originally posted by DeleriousZ
Sounds like a good idea to me.

If you don't want your phone taken away, don't use it while you're driving. Seems pretty simple.

I should make a law, any car 'more powerful' than 100hp gets seized.

Then can I say to you, don't drive a car 'more powerful' than 100hp if you don't want your car seized.
Same 'logic' right?

You're saying, obey the law because it's the law. Hand over your property because it says here that I'm allowed to seize it.

[FraserB]

Originally posted by Modelexis


I should make a law, any car faster than 100hp gets seized.

Then can I say to you, don't drive a car faster than 100hp if you don't want your car seized.
Same 'logic' right?

Go nuts. Horsepower is not a way to measure speed.

[Darell_n]

Originally posted by Modelexis


I should make a law, any car faster than 100hp gets seized.

Then can I say to you, don't drive a car faster than 100hp if you don't want your car seized.
Same 'logic' right?

How fast is a 100hp car? Is this a riddle?

[Modelexis]

I would seize it if I suspected it of being more powerful than 100hp

Then dyno test it and fine you.

[Grogador]

Originally posted by revelations
I dont see NEAR the problems with distracted driving here in Calgary.

Ride a motorcycle...

[jwslam]

Originally posted by Modelexis
I would seize it if I suspected it of being more powerful than 100hp

Then dyno test it and fine you.

I guess you've never seen the teeny bopers trying to race car2go's

[DeleriousZ]

Originally posted by Modelexis


I should make a law, any car 'more powerful' than 100hp gets seized.

Then can I say to you, don't drive a car 'more powerful' than 100hp if you don't want your car seized.
Same 'logic' right?

You're saying, obey the law because it's the law. Hand over your property because it says here that I'm allowed to seize it.

I don't see the connection here. You're trying to say that having a powerful car is akin to talking on a cell phone while driving? Are you trying to argue that people that have more driving experience would have no problem driving a car with 100hp, and also someone who's experienced with talking on their phone while driving would also have no problem with it?

The way I see it is put down the goddamn phone, or pull over. Who are you to be so high and mighty as to endanger the people around you because you feel that you're good at talking on the phone and driving? (you being used as a general term, not directing at anyone)

[Grogador]

Since the risk level is about the same as DUI, how about 24hr license suspensions? Quick and simple for the cop too.

[revelations]

Originally posted by Grogador


Ride a motorcycle...

I do.

And coming from Vancouver, its NIGHT and DAY difference here from our idea of "bad" drivers to what happens in Vancouver.

[DeleriousZ]

Originally posted by revelations


I do.

And coming from Vancouver, its NIGHT and DAY difference here from our idea of "bad" drivers to what happens in Vancouver.

I can second this, aside from the bike part. Calgary drivers are significantly less awful drivers than in Vancouver.

[JAYMEZ]

LOL Vancouver drivers are horrible.. They drive so god damn slow and do the most odd things in the world lol.. I am going crazy driving in Van...

But no I dont support this law.. A ticket is fine , no one has the right to my phone / business / personal life ect ect . If they want to make it "Harsh" throw a demerit on the ticket then . Aint no body going on my phone and stealing all the naked girl photos I have

Or are they making this law so they can grab drug dealers phones and see what they are up to?

[FraserB]

Even if they do seize it, they need a warrant to go through any contents that are password protected. Since the contents of the phone wouldn't be material to the charge, I can't see how they would support a request to search through the phone.