DMinTrainin t1_je1m82o wrote on March 28, 2023 at 7:26 PM

Reply to comment by Proof-Variation7005 in R.I. DMV to update drivers’ manual after concerns about ‘dubious’ content by bostonglobe

The turning off of cell phones is also so they can't be recorded.

bunnybates t1_je2eoz3 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 10:29 PM

Yup. I just put my phone on vibrate and out of sight.

barsoapguy t1_je1vf3f wrote on March 28, 2023 at 8:22 PM

I bet you on average the advice to turn off the phones would save more people than it harms.

Imagine how many people pulled over with a game playing on their phone or a movie , cop will see that and ticket for distracted driving.

I’m in favor of striking the cellphone section though because I’m smart enough so this wouldn’t affect me.

Proof-Variation7005 t1_je23y6t wrote on March 28, 2023 at 9:16 PM

>people pulled over with a game playing on their phone or a movie

How common do you think that really is?

>cop will see that and ticket for distracted driving.

If a cop sees you reaching for or using your phone after getting pulled over, they could do the same thing. This is one of those infractions that is 1000% based on the word of the cop. And, as I already pointed out, encouraging people to reach for something that might be out of the way is probably going to raise suspicion.

T-RevFromDaHood t1_je29sa3 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 9:54 PM

I want to agree with you, but I can't. I have police in my closest circles of life. Cops say "you get rid of my discretion to assess the situation and respond accordingly, and now I HAVE to arrest you" when you record the interactions, but I see this as an unwillingness to address the very real concerns people have over interactions with the police.

Shit, RI has that Instagram judge going viral every other week for traffic court interactions. Nobody lambastes the justice system or police or even the judge for "letting someone go". There isn't backlash for recording a police interaction when it ends in a ticket, except for from law enforcement.

But now you're upset that people are learning about their constitutional rights? Make it make sense.

barsoapguy t1_je2eaz1 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 10:26 PM

I have to wonder what kind of situation the police would be using that kind of discretion to arrest …if merely filming an interaction would require it than the initial situation must be quite severe to a lay person.

If cameras mean that they have to arrest every time then we should be promoting them and removing officer discretion to make the arrests.

People are given to mo many chances when it comes to driving these large metal boxes that can kill others.