Text Message From The Police: SLW DWN
from the beats-getting-pulled-over dept
Finland is certainly known for its widespread adoption of mobile phones, so it probably isn't a surprise that police there are looking at ways to use SMS text messaging to communicate with motorists. Apparently, they're trying to send messages to drivers for minor things like a broken taillight, rather than having to pull them over and hand them a written warning. The article is a bit confusing, because it says that that Finnish rules say any reprimand must be given on the spot, so it's not clear how the text messaging cops are getting away with it (unless they're pulling people over and then text messaging them -- which seems sort of pointless). The other thing the article notes is that police need to make sure that they're text messaging the right person -- and that it clearly identifies the message as being an official police communication. Of course, what they leave out (and it would seem like an important detail) is how they go about both of those things. How do the police even know who to text message? And, even assuming that they can somehow (how?) link up license plates to phone numbers, how can they be sure that the right person is driving the vehicle? Also, how long will it be before there's a story of a driver who gets into an accident while reading a text message from the cops? The whole story seems to raise a lot more questions than it answers. Maybe I'll text message the Finnish police for more details.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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No Subject Given
Oftentimes police want to deliver a simple message without initiating a formal traffic stop. The same thing goes for other drivers, you may want to tell you your lights are off, signal is on, smoke coming from your car, or that you're driving away with the gas pump. It can even be used for traffic niceties such as "thank you."
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well.....
I mean, if youre able to give messages to people, after saying ^&%@#& to the guy who's driving 2" from your back bumper, he gets mad, replies, and you have a road rage incident, that otherwise probably would have been dropped!?!?!?!
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However, I do agree, that in certain circumstances, it could be used and would be a benefit
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Embedded displays in windshields
And why does communication between vehicles have to be text? That's a pretty sorry idea, esp. if they have to use a cell phone to type it! And voice to text technology is continually improving.
*shrug* Just something I expect to see within 30 yeas.
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Re: well.....
The real question is do you want them typing/reading a message at 60/mph and 6 inches from your bumper? If s/he is already doing something that you feel puts you in danger how is adding one more task for them improving that situation?
Personally, others cell phone usage on the road already cost me one car. I would rather not have to replace my current one.
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Police usage I can see though. I would much prefer a short message via some official means rather than being pulled over for 15 minutes in the cold or rain.
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To those claiming distractions, and road rage....
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Re: To those claiming distractions, and road rage.
You can use voice to text to input, and even have it read to you if you dont want to read it on the other end
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Message
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Re: Message
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Forget SMS, And LCD Screens In Your Steering Wheel
All you need is an old CB Radio, and another horn hookup, or alternatively you could disconnect your old horn as it would no longer be required.
*sigh*
I can picture it now.
All the happy motorists driving along happily when all of a sudden some @$$clown cuts you off only to drive slower then he was in the lane next to you that he left in such a hurry.
Oh noes what ever will you do?
Honk your horn?
Flip him the bird?
Shout obscenities from your rolled down window hoping he can understand you?
No.
Simply turn on your standard CB radio/PA system and shout obscenities through the hood of your car at a volume that he, along with most of the other cars on the road will surely hear.
It not only allows you to tell that @$$%^&* that what he has done upsets you, but warns other cars around that the car in front of you is an enemy, and should be destroyed at all cost.
Long Live Twisted Metal Video Games!
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Directly to the vehicle
Why get rid of pulling over and ticketing? Don't they need the revenue?
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No Subject Given
You can text a licence plate to find out who owns the car (the database is online). You can then text that name/location to the online phone book and get back their mobile number.
I know that was possible in 2003 when I did it for my own car in Helsinki
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Almost in the US
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