Don’t post and drive

[soccerdad72]

If, however, you’re stuck on a completely gridlocked snowy highway for 30 minutes or more, I guess you can sit on your phone and do whatever you’d like

 

[Frozen Canuck]

If, however, you’re stuck on a completely gridlocked snowy highway for 30 minutes or more, I guess you can sit on your phone and do whatever you’d like

Not necessarily. I wish I could remember the specifics, but a couple of years ago, traffic was backed up outside of Saskatoon on the highway. Nobody was moving. People who were texting their bosses to let them know they were going to be late were being ticketed for texting and driving, even though traffic was at a standstill. They were talking about the whole thing on the radio, warning people not to be on their phones, but I couldn't find a specific news article on it as I don't remember enough of the details.

ETA: I found a paragraph on r/Saskatoon that detailed the account I mentioned above.

 

[_19disnA]

If you are stuck in an extended traffic jam due to an accident/snowstorm/whatever, it seems overly zealous of police to be handing out tickets. People may simply want to inform their boss/relatives they will be late or just passing time while not going anywhere.

Clearly while in motion, you should NOT be texting/posting/surfing the net/etc.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just make sure the tailpipe’s not blocked!

 

[soccerdad72]

3 hours for a 20 minute commute - truly a Friday the 13th kind of commute

 

[sam_gordon]

Not necessarily. I wish I could remember the specifics, but a couple of years ago, traffic was backed up outside of Saskatoon on the highway. Nobody was moving. People who were texting their bosses to let them know they were going to be late were being ticketed for texting and driving, even though traffic was at a standstill. They were talking about the whole thing on the radio, warning people not to be on their phones, but I couldn't find a specific news article on it as I don't remember enough of the details.

ETA: I found a paragraph on r/Saskatoon that detailed the account I mentioned above.

If traffic's at a standstill, how are police seeing drivers using their phones?

FWIW, I agree. IMO (and it won't matter in a court of law), if the vehicle is stopped, do what you want (but you need to be ready to go when it's your turn).

 

[Frozen Canuck]

If traffic's at a standstill, how are police seeing drivers using their phones?

In the paragraph at the link, the traffic was backed up for over half an hour in a downtown area. Police just walked up to the cars that had people sitting in them, where the engine was still running, and ticketed them.

"While sitting in their cars, some eventually took out their cell phones to either pass the time or text their boss explaining why they'll be late. The Saskatoon Police thought it was a good idea to walk around the cars and ticket people for it."

 

[sam_gordon]

In the paragraph at the link, the traffic was backed up for over half an hour in a downtown area. Police just walked up to the cars that had people sitting in them, where the engine was still running, and ticketed them.

"While sitting in their cars, some eventually took out their cell phones to either pass the time or text their boss explaining why they'll be late. The Saskatoon Police thought it was a good idea to walk around the cars and ticket people for it."

Oh, your post referenced being stuck on a highway.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

Oh, your post referenced being stuck on a highway.

That was me mis-remembering the details. I went back and posted the link as soon as I found something with the details. I also thought it was only a couple of years ago...it was five...ha! I'm not winning any prizes for my great memory.

 

[_19disnA]

If sitting at a standstill in traffic, I assume the police would have had to walk to each car. If you see them writing tickets to someone 3 cars ahead of you, be smart and put your phone away until they walk by. I am not aware of any law that says you have to turn off your ignition if stuck in traffic. In cold weather, you probably still want to stay warm. If you are going to be stuck for HOURS, then turning the car off periodically to save gas is probably a good idea.

Wouldn't surprise me to find the real details have been jumbled since Reddit is mostly a place where people tend to post nonsense or want to argue and ridicule others.

 

[disneychrista]

If you are in your car and the car is running, I assume you can be ticketed.

If I am stuck in traffic due to construction or an accident. I shut my car off.

 

[slo]

Don’t sneeze and drive either - I ruined a mini van doing this when I veered to the right during a sneezing fit, crashed into a curb, which resulted in me blowing out two tires and trashing the underneath of the van. The cost to fix was so much that we decided to get a new car instead - that was 10 years ago.

Moral of the story….pull over if you’re like me - someone that NEVER sneezes once and you‘re someone that sneezes 5 or more times in a row.

 

[NAB]

Not necessarily. I wish I could remember the specifics, but a couple of years ago, traffic was backed up outside of Saskatoon on the highway. Nobody was moving. People who were texting their bosses to let them know they were going to be late were being ticketed for texting and driving, even though traffic was at a standstill. They were talking about the whole thing on the radio, warning people not to be on their phones, but I couldn't find a specific news article on it as I don't remember enough of the details.

ETA: I found a paragraph on r/Saskatoon that detailed the account I mentioned above.

Yeah I remember a few years back someone got a ticket in the Tim Horton’s line. Same as if you are stopped at a stop light. Your car has to be turned off if your in your car with that phone in your hand.

 

[mrodgers]

If sitting at a standstill in traffic, I assume the police would have had to walk to each car. If you see them writing tickets to someone 3 cars ahead of you, be smart and put your phone away until they walk by. I am not aware of any law that says you have to turn off your ignition if stuck in traffic. In cold weather, you probably still want to stay warm. If you are going to be stuck for HOURS, then turning the car off periodically to save gas is probably a good idea.

Wouldn't surprise me to find the real details have been jumbled since Reddit is mostly a place where people tend to post nonsense or want to argue and ridicule others.

If you can see the police are writing tickets to people 3 cars ahead of you, you don't have to worry about it because you would not be on your phone or you wouldn't have seen them 3 cars ahead of you.