yeah, bottom line, a cop can make up any bullshit he wants and that's an "acceptable" usage of "probable cause."
Exactly....if you have nothing to hide, then it's just easier to cooperate with them on the minor things.
Now if they wanted my smart phone so they could d/l the data off it, then there would be an issue...but if they wanted to look in my trunk I'd let them....especially considering that I drive a pick-up
If I'm reading the story correctly, I support this.
If the cops can determine that a driver was texting, calling, downloading at the time of a traffic infraction...I say let them do it.
We've had a few stories here where the driver was texting and killed other people in an accident.
If they're digging into your phone for other purposes, then yes they're violating the user's rights.
Unfortunately there is a big flip side to that, they won't just look at the info at the time of the accident, they are downloading everything on the phone. Not that I have anything to hide but I don't want a third party looking at my personal conversations, pics, contacts etc. Stuff will very easily find it's way to the internet for one...
Also I believe currently they can't look at anything on a phone that's locked, this is bypassing that.
Might as well give insurance companies all the records from your cars computer to evaluate your driving habits too and set your rates accordingly. Or have all your medical records available to anyone that requests them. (employers, insurance, etc)
Sorry but privacy is a big issue for me, there's already too much info leaking out.
I really believe in the checking for texting/phone activity at the time of a violation.
I see so many people texting/surfing on my commute to work it kinda scares me.
I totally see where you're coming from and I don't have a problem with them asking for permission to see it. Or if they saw someone texting, write the ticket and request phone records before the court date.
Even in the case of an accident with injury, they can call and often get a warrant on the spot these days. I'm more concerned with daily abuse of the device by the police in the instances they have no reason to look at your phone.
In Virginia I don't think texting while driving is illegal, yet..
It is here, they passed it at the start of this year. Plus if you have to have your cell phone set up as hands free if you want to talk on it. Talking on your cell phone while holding it and driving is against the law here too.
I think it's been on the table a few times... But somehow it has been defeated.. It's bound to be a matter of time though once the concrete numbers start hammering them (general assembly)...