Police soon will have a new tool to use in their crackdown on texting or using a cellphone while driving. The device enables them to review smartphone data at the scene of a traffic stop or accident to determine if the phone distracted the driver.
Legislation is needed to permit such an invasion of privacy, which has privacy advocates very concerned about the latest potential intrusion by the government.
The proposed law would basically create a situation in which the government would access private information without the benefit of a search warrant. If police come to your home to access your computer or cellphone, they must have a warrant. So, why should your car be treated differently? There are constitutional safeguards in place that must be addressed.
Find out how the device works, which states are considering allowing its use by law enforcement, and how privacy advocates are responding. The story unfolds on the next page.
Because we dont do anything else that distracts from driving…. Kids, eating, turning on the radio
That seems unconstitutional!
That would require a sreach warrant! !!!
Can it only tell the time of the text or call, or does it actually download the conversation? If it’s the latter, then hell yeah, it’s unconstitutional. On a whole lot of levels
That is just unconstitutional abusing their power
Good fucking luck!
So now you can’t even use a hands free device? What about the cars that use the playlist from your phone?
When you get smacked hard in the rear end by a person who was texting but says you made an unexpected stop, I would be happy for the cop to be able to find out if there was any activity going on on that person’s phone. Doesn’t mean he gets to read the text…….OTOH, how do you find the time of impact?
BS!
So when are they gonna put their phones down also. Evey police officer i see has his or her cell up to their head when they drive by