Police officers in Georgia are using an unusual tactic to catch drivers who are texting behind the wheel. Instead of giving themselves away by just sitting in their cars, they’re instead dressing up as construction workers to nab distracted drivers.
According to the report by CNN, police officers often find it difficult to make a charge of distracted driving stick because it’s difficult to prove whether or not a driver was actually using their cell phone before they notice the police car and put their phones away. When police officers are dressed as construction workers however, no one pays them any mind, and officers are able to walk right up to cars while drivers are texting away.
After the “construction workers” notice a driver texting, they radio in to a patrol car waiting further down the road and the patrol car will pull over the drivers and give them a ticket.
Many drivers were upset however since a large number of the tickets were handed out to drivers who were texting or looking at their phones while they were stopped at a red light, not while their vehicle was actually in motion. Officers had to explain to the drivers that any time the vehicle is on and in gear while they’re texting, they’re violating the law (at least that’s the case in Georgia).
“It doesn’t matter if you’re stopped at a light, if you’re on a public thoroughfare and facing the phone we’re going to have a conversation with you,” said one police officer.
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Ryan says
I don’t think this will hold up in court. Who’s your accuser; the “construction worker” or the cop who stopped you?
Steve N says
The “Construction Worker” aka COP is the accuser. Same difference. Not being in a police uniform changes nothing unfortunately.
mike says
Not true they are required by law in some states to be in full uniform, to issue a citation. . But both officers would have to be present in court. One as a witness and other as the officer in some states. But the being on duty not in uniform may pose as a issue.
Matt says
How sad is it that people hold such careless disregard for workers in a construction zone and even sadder that (presumably) driving professionals are first concerned with the legality of the action while ignoring the real issue at hand, the safety of workers on our death trap highways.
Rick Smith says
I hope the highway revenue agents (police) are justifying their salaries.
Now, if we could hire people to keep the peace, and fight crime, we’d be all set.
Charli says
I’d have to agree, that ” most” people do not pay enough attention in construction zones. That is to INCLUDE the construction workers themselves!!!
They take mighty risks while they are out there, they get so complacent that they forget the powerful force of a moving vehicle going 45 mph, and they step out or stand to close to the limit.way too often. 90% of the time they dare you to get close and you have to end up coming to a complete stop and put the drivers behind you that are on their phones in jeopardy.
Domino effect, really. These workers also need to be held to a Saftey standard, I know they have it on the books, but again they’re ignored.
JJ says
Well I have a different take on it. DON’T TEXT WHILE DRIVING!! They deserve the damn ticket. Its all about safety, and stop your damn texting while driving. Im for any means they can to catch these texters big truck or 4 wheeler while driving, especially in a construction zone, when the main focus should be on safe driving!! Then at least no one can say I was texting when I killed your husband/wife in the construction zone, damn them anyways
Swohawk says
It is mindblowing that so many “drivers” can’t seem tomove their vehicles without talking on the phone or otherwise diddling with their devices. I see people pulling out of their driveways or parking spots instantaneously distracted.
Much of technology today is a total waste of time and resources and a CURSE on mankind.
JJ says
I agree with you totally. Put that damn device down and focus on driving safely..geeze pretty easy it would seem. I don’t want that on my mind, that I killed someone due to doing such.. I mean how can you live with yourself knowing damn well you could have prevented it
ERC says
ticket away- jail time even better-
AzDon says
I don’t even know how to text…… Having said that, If I am stopped in a line of cars on a two-lane where they are directing or escorting one-way traffic, I’m gonna do whatever I please while I’m stopped! I guess if that includes use of my phone, I’m gonna hafta lock it down and get out of the driver seat….. This is a case of LE using a legal definition of what driving is….. in order to justify bogus charges!…..I wonder if there is any legitimate construction going on in these operations or if these “stops” are just “fishing expeditions” like DUI checkpoints….. I remember growing up in a country where LE needed a legitimate reason to stop you and look you over…… I miss that place!
shawn gherity says
While I can support the texting while moving since construction zones are already dangerous enough I believe the supreme court has already ruled that you cannot be ticketed for using map software on your phone.
Corey Jackson says
Boy, it’s funny how many people are so butthurt over this. Obviously you are the ones who need to be caught. Some people, I believe, text and drive just to say “you can’t tell me what to do”. Last week I was going southbound on I-75 just north of Cartersville, Georgia. Noticed a white Jeep Cherokee all over the middle lane. I warn other drivers ahead to watch out, because this car almost sideswiped three other cars in a five mile stretch. This tanker driver saw her coming up on him, and whe she passed he was like, “hey hand, you want toknow why she swerving so much? She is texting with both hands and using her right knee to bold the steering wheel somewhat in place”. A couple of drivers up ahead notice her in their mirrors. But a person like that will be the first one to complain about these cops “unfairly” picking on them by giving them a ticket for textinv while driving. These are also the same selfish peole who will cause a wreck with a truck, then go get an ambulance chaser lawyer to file a ridiculous multi-million dollar lawsuit when they were clearly at fault. Lets face it, we live in a society where everyone’s attitude is me me me, it’s all about me.
BASEBALLbat says
You can always tell the ones who make trouble. They want to question the rules. Do what’s right dummy and stop trying to create chaos.
Infosaur says
“I’m not texting officer, I’m composing a post for The Truckers Report. It’s a news story about texting!!”