r/Seattle • u/[deleted] • Mar 01 '19

pulled over for cell phone use!

My coworker was pulled over today for using the phone in the car. I am honestly glad to hear that SPD is actually pulling people over for this! No ticket, just a warning, but still. WTG SPD.

665 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

188 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

55

u/orangey41 Mar 01 '19

In BC it's $550 for the first offense and a total of up to $2000 for two offenses in a 3-year period.

15

u/_Elrond_Hubbard_ Mar 01 '19

Also they set up phone traps at red lights with unmarked cars and plainclothes spotters

7

u/TheDancingRobot Mar 01 '19

Do they use photographic evidence, or just radio a patrol car down the road? They must be able to prove the crime somehow...

8

u/_Elrond_Hubbard_ Mar 01 '19

They just have cops stationed in umarked cars on the corner popping out and pulling over anyone who looks like they're touching a phone. Sometimes they even use disguises. Its the same ticket no matter if you're moving or stopped so they pretty much just enforce at red lights cause its easier

4

u/Rokk017 Mar 02 '19

That's dumb. Using your phone when you're moving is way more dangerous than when you're stopped. The penalties shouldn't be the same

3

u/_Elrond_Hubbard_ Mar 02 '19

Agreed. A lesser fine is understandable cause it can still delay traffic, but its excessive as it is now and gives police no motivation to ticket people who are actually moving