If you park your car, you are obviously not with it, thus they can't confiscate it. They impound it. If we were talking about people leaving their cellphones unattended in places where they cause an inconvenience, we can talk again. This is theft.
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meanwhile, in traffic...
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If you park your car, you are obviously not with it, thus they can't confiscate it. They impound it. If we were talking about people leaving their cellphones unattended in places where they cause an inconvenience, we can talk again. This is theft.
F
Fudzy
Guest
The items you have on you when you're arrested are registered and put into inventory, it's hardly theft unless those items go missing.
Caught texting/talking while driving, would you rather be without your phone for 24 hours or put into a holding cell WITH your phone for 24 hours?
Neither, since both are bull****. If I did that, they can fine me, just like for any other minor traffic offence. The punishment should fit the crime, and not invade my privacy in such a way.
Archer
Honorary Master
But thats what is happening to your phone... its impounded (ie you can get it back)
You've lost me now...MickZA
Executive Member
Don't know if you watched the video clip but they have video evidence of offenders using their phones before they are pulled over and confiscate it.
Just love the kugels "I didn't know" routine
MickZA
Executive Member
They tried that and it didn't work. Let's see what happens when habitual offenders face 24hours of "cold turkey".
Archer
Honorary Master
I dont know about where you drive, but taxis get pulled off and fine.... every 2 weeks or so on my drive to work and back. Doesnt make a difference cause they are back the next day running amok (and who knows if the fines get paid) but the cops are at least trying to police the taxis according to my small sample size.
The lady caught yesterday told the traffic officer that it's difficult to get the sim out the phone so it seems the phone is taken but you get to keep the sim. I still don't understand why cellphones are confiscated but drinking a soda is not. Why are cigarettes not confiscated when you smoke in the car or your radio when you touch the dial or....or.....
You are allowed to use a handsfree kit so I assume talking on a cellphone is allowed but you are not physically allowed to hold it which I don't understand?
You are allowed to use a handsfree kit so I assume talking on a cellphone is allowed but you are not physically allowed to hold it which I don't understand?
MickZA
Executive Member
They nailed a taxi driver as well http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/cellphone-crackdown-first-busts-1.1335083
FrankCastle
Executive Member
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texting requires a certain degree of concentration.
Texting yes but phoning?
A taxi driver taking money from passengers and giving change also takes some degree of concentration.
Driving whilst trying to control an unruly child takes some concentration.
Driving whilst trying to find your destination takes some concentration.
Driving for the sake of driving takes some concentration.
MickZA
Executive Member
I often see people get into their car and reverse out of a parking bay (almost taking me, a pedestrian, out) all the time talking non-stop on their phone.
Would you call that a responsible attitude to driving?
Exactly, so why not take taxi's away for 24 hours>
No, I don't think people should be driving whilst on the phone but the problem I have is which part of using a phone whilst driving makes it illegal? The person that pulled out almost taking you out was obviously on the phone with the hand to the ear now what if the same person pulled out almost taking you out whilst changing the dial on the radio or opening a soda, do we now ban radio's and soda cans?
kooldude
Expert Member
They passed a bylaw in the City of Capetown. So the constitutionality of this has to be challenged in the courts until then confiscation of phones is legal.
I wholeheartedly support this and hope they implement this asap in Gauteng.
Archer
Honorary Master
Yes!!
Take away everything!! 
Look at it this way. There are 5837 different ways to get distracted while driving. But now, there are only 5836 ways. So its one less way that you can meet an early demise. I call that a good thing
Messugga
Honorary Master
Because people generally don't fiddle with their radio's while driving, especially for extended periods of time. Also, these days many cars come with controls for the radio on the steering wheel. Additionally, if you make an accident because you didn't follow the appropriate observations, YOU are to blame for the accident and can be charged accordingly, if the case is severe enough. The illegal bit comes from vastly decreasing your driving ability while on your phone. It's not rocket science and it's hardly anything new. At least try to use some common sense.
Good heavens, just don't talk on your phone while driving and you won't have a problem. It's illegal and many MANY studies have shown that it makes you a more dangerous driver. I really don't understand why people bitch and moan about this so much? If you really need to speak on the phone while driving, get a handsfree kit installed if your car doesn't come with one. Bloody hell.