I’ve written a lot about texting while driving, since it’s a big deal in traffic enforcement right now.
And one question I’ve asked repeatedly is how the police can actually prove that you were texting. On the rare occasion when I see a texting while driving ticket at court, the defendant usually admitted to the officer that they were texting.
But the Virginia State Police is running a savvy sting operation to try to nab even more texters. They’re watching you!
Two Troopers ride together in an unmarked vehicle to look for possible texting. We’ve all seen texters on the road, so I’m sure the police are even better at spotting it if that’s what they’re looking for.
When they see a possible texter, they try to get alongside the vehicle to observe the act. And if possible, the passenger Trooper takes a photo of the driver while he’s texting.
From there, it’s a matter of making the traffic stop and confronting the driver. I’ll bet the drivers confess in 99% of the cases. And if someone denies it, the photo evidence probably produces a confession. Remember: you DO have the right to remain silent. If you confess to an offense on the side of the road, that will be used against you in court.
The moral of the story is NOT to text while driving. It’s dangerous, and it’s against the law. But if you get a texting ticket, contact me so we can discuss your defense.
Learn more about how they are proving it: Virginia State Police Combat Distracted Driving with Undercover Approach
Photo by: damir.me