meanwhile, in traffic...

[droplet]

http://www.news24.com/Multimedia/Sou...hones-20120706

at last! been waiting a long time for this to start happening...

[the video shows cops in cape town confiscating cellphones in yesterday's afternoon traffic]

[Devill]

Yes, R500 fine to get it back, or rather that is what I heard.

[HapticSimian]

Yes, R500 fine to get it back, or rather that is what I heard.

If I have it right, it's a 24-hour hold on your phone independent of the fine... In other words you can get your phone back the next day even if you don't necessarily pay the fine immediately.

[The_Mowgs]

Does this only apply to phones? What if I'm typing a destination into my gps while driving? Is that not also seen as a distraction? I'm all for this but why only phones?

[porchrat]

Don't get me wrong here I've seen people drive like blind people while on the phone but I don't understand how the police can take your property without a warrant... seems like theft to me.

To me this is the wrong way to go about this and it sets a really disturbing precedent.

[Mouse]

Does this only apply to phones? What if I'm typing a destination into my gps while driving? Is that not also seen as a distraction? I'm all for this but why only phones?

My phone is also my GPS navigator. I wonder what they will say if they see me driving along with a phone telling me where to turn

[Crowley]

Does this only apply to phones? What if I'm typing a destination into my gps while driving? Is that not also seen as a distraction? I'm all for this but why only phones?

If you are typing your destination on your GPS while driving they should confiscate it as well.

I think this is a great idea. Just wish they would start it in JHB soon.

[droplet]

Don't get me wrong here I've seen people drive like blind people while on the phone but I don't understand how the police can take your property without a warrant... seems like theft to me.

the law allows for the confiscation. the phone is placed in a sealed container with serial number. a matching serial number is handed to the offender. 24 hours later, the phone can be collected. the collection point is open 24/7.

Does this only apply to phones? What if I'm typing a destination into my gps while driving? Is that not also seen as a distraction? I'm all for this but why only phones?

to use the actual handset, it needs to be placed in a dashboard mount. so using it as a gps is fine, if it's mounted to the dashboard.

[encrypted]

I approve, don't want my family to die cause some person was on the phone, and yes I have to avoid these people often, one day I won't notice.

[Cool E]

That cellphone box is too small to confisticate IPad.

[porchrat]

the law allows for the confiscation. the phone is placed in a sealed container with serial number. a matching serial number is handed to the offender. 24 hours later, the phone can be collected. the collection point is open 24/7.

Yea but can a police officer simply walk up and take something from you?

You say confiscation is allowed but doesn't that usually work with being arrested? I can understand if you are being arrested and they are storing your belongings but actually taking something from you and just walking away with it seems like it is open to abuse.

[pezulu]

Most GPS devices have a "safe driving" function that prohibits you from entering data while the GPS is in use.
Unfortunately it is simply a matter of selecting 'YES' to override the function.
The use of cellphones while driving is against the law, and it is about time that someone is stepping in to make sure that he public is aware of it.
Just wish that the campaign gets implemented all over the country.

[werny]

Even worse is the taxi drivers talking or texting on their phones while driving with the whole taxi filled with passengers.

These days the taxi drivers get away with everything.

[Fudzy]

the law allows for the confiscation. the phone is placed in a sealed container with serial number. a matching serial number is handed to the offender. 24 hours later, the phone can be collected. the collection point is open 24/7.

They are nice enough to leave you with the SIM and memory card, I can see people just keeping another phone in the cubby

[TJ99]

I can understand if you are being arrested and they are storing your belongings but actually taking something from you and just walking away with it seems like it is open to abuse.

This. I can't believe the constitution allows for this, it's theft. No warrant, no arrest, just take your stuff? Doesn't seem right.