Woman Pulls up Next to a San Diego Police Cruiser. The Officer Is Doing the Exact Thing That’d Get Her a $160 Fine: ‘Speeding Too’
For anyone who drives, it’s been well and truly hammered home how essential it is not to touch your phone while behind the wheel with fines going into the hundreds being handed out as punishment if caught. However, a video posted to TikTok seems to show cops breaking the law themselves as an officer can be seen holding their phone with one hand while the other hand is on the steering wheel.
The clip, posted by TikToker Hannah G, shows a police cruiser in San Diego being driven by a cop seemingly holding and talking on the phone while she drives the vehicle. She can be seen talking and gesturing, as she waits at the traffic lights, before pulling off, phone still in hand.
Hannah points out the blatant hypocrisy on display with a caption that reads, “Cops: “stay off your phone or get a ticket” *also cops*” she even shouts out a frustrated “what?” as she questions the driver’s actions. Police would typically give out a fine of around $160 for a first time offender, and they don’t take any excuses, but it’s unlikely we’ll see the cop fine herself, they’re hardly leading by example.
Are cops allowed to do that?
The comments on TikTok were split over whether the cop was actually doing anything wrong or not. “No you can hold it for phone calls you just can’t be playing on it or scrolling while driving,” one person claimed. While the law does change state-to-state, in California drivers are prohibited from touching their phone in any capacity. They can, however, use a hands-free device according to ots.ca.gov.
Regardless, the officer recorded in the video would have been breaking the law as she was clearly holding it in her hand and not using it in a hands-free way. However, another commenter claimed that “The law excludes law enforcement in pretty much every state.”
A Crimebeat Q&A from The Press Democrat confirmed that law enforcement officers are indeed exempt from the “California vehicle code restricting cellphone use while driving.” The confirmation came after a question was sent in from someone who claimed to “constantly see police officers talk on their cellphones while driving” despite it being illegal.
While there are plenty of reasons why cops are exempt from this particular law it’s rubbed many people the wrong way as they believe they shouldn’t have to follow laws the police themselves do not follow, “if they aint following im not following conquences [sic] be damned.” Of course, not following the law will more than likely result in an expensive fine for anyone who decides to follow the cop’s example.
(Featured image: hgonzolo, TikTok)
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