Police Chief Gets Into Car Accident While Checking His Blackberry

from the nice-move dept

Mon, Mar 30th 2009 8:21am — Mike Masnick

Just as politicians and the police have been increasingly cracking down on drivers who are using mobile phones for texting and emailing while driving, a police chief in the Seattle suburb of Federal Way has issued an apology for hitting another car while checking his Blackberry. Apparently it was a minor accident, that occurred when the chief, Brian Wilson, was stopped at a traffic light in an unmarked police car. He started checking his Blackberry and took his foot off the brake, allowing the car to roll forward into another vehicle. The chief says he takes full responsibility for the accident and is mortified... Of course, it sounds like no legal action will be taken even though Washington was the first state to enact anti-texting while driving laws.

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Filed Under: police, texting while driving

53 Comments

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Shawn, 30 Mar 2009 @ 8:25am

Just goes to show ya... because of the fact that nobody buys CDs anymore Brian Wilson gave up on the Beach Boys and went into Law Enforcement. It isn't just Record companies that suffer when we illegally copy songs it is innocent drivers :(
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R. Miles, 30 Mar 2009 @ 8:37am

Was he cited for breaking the law?
Doubt it.

Too bad many more won't learn from this idiot's mistake.

I can't believe people think it's more damn important to answer a message than it is to drive a car.

What, does using a phone require more damn skills than driving a car now?

Well, with a keyboard on some phones...

I'm all for Faraday cages in cars. Block 'em all.
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Not Guilty, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:00am

Do as I say - Not as I Do
Apparently the laws do not apply to those who make or enforce them.

Another chapter in the continuing saga of "I'm Above the Law".
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:08am

Give the guy some credit, he admitted what he did. Most people would probably just say they were not paying attention.

I know I have almost hit another car because a nice looking blond was walking down the street. The only time I feel bad about doing that is when it turns out to be a wimpy hippy guy that just needed a haircut.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:10am

Re: Do as I say - Not as I Do
This makes me wonder how many tickets this chief of police guy has written (or overviewed his staff cite) to "drivers who are using mobile phones for texting and emailing while driving", while this guy chooses for himself to do nothing to remedy his own problem with the act..

I agree completely with your statement: Another chapter in the continuing saga of "I'm Above the Law"
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:15am

Re:
"Give the guy some credit, he admitted what he did."

The same could be said for the guys who flew stolen airplanes into buildings a few years back. They admitted to doing it and they received the credit for doing it.

For both situations, also just give out the correct punishment which they earned for their acts.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:26am

Brutal Crowd. At least he was using the BB while at a light, stopped (mostly).
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Weird Harold's former #5 fan, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:31am

Re:
At least he was using the BB while at a light, stopped (mostly).

That's still illegal here in California - for those of us not in the "I'm Above the Law" crowd, anyway.
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Josh Cerdia, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:48am

iPhone
This would have never have happened if he had an iPhone, because the iPhone's navigation is easier to browse through emails/text and with it's big screen also better/easier to read.

Buy iPhone ASAP before we start seeing more of these accidents in the country, you could even think as the iPhone saving lives!

Josh
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Anonymous Coward #42, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:51am

Re: Re: Do as I say - Not as I Do
I would have to disagree with the statement about being above the law. If this officer believed he was above the law, he would have been tap-dancing like crazy to get out of any punishment, and might even go so far as to try and pin the blame on the driver of the car he hit. No, he admitted his guilt in the matter and accepted full responsibility for his actions. This man in no way believes he is above the law.

Remember, everybody is human, and everybody makes honest mistakes, including law enforcement officers. The difference (and what defines your character) is whether you accept responsibility for your mistakes, or try to pass the blame to somebody else. I'm sure he has learned his lesson and will never allow this to happen again.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:52am

Re: iPhone
In addition, Josh Cerdia thinks it is legal to use your iphone while driving.
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Josh Cerdia, 30 Mar 2009 @ 9:58am

Re: Re: iPhone
Of course it is... I do it all the time in the freeway:

- Lookup directions
- Check my email
- Make Phone calls
- Take pictures (There are some bad drivers out there)
- Read Texts

I could type emails and texts, but it is a bit dangerous... when I need to reply, I move stop to the side of the road, though I could just type without watching the keypad, but it's a bit hard (but doable).
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BlackWidow, 30 Mar 2009 @ 10:08am

Federal Way has bigger problems
I live in Federal Way and it is a a giant strip mall infested with gang members and meth heads. It has way bigger problems than the police chief and his blackberry. If you get rear ended at a stop light as the worst thing that happens to you while driving here, you are lucky! Yesterday someone was shot in the face at a park and ride!

I am sure police officers have many things in their cars that could be considered much bigger distractions (Including the drunk bum in the back seat).

I am not saying it is right what happened, but kudos to him for admitting to it.

I have a blackberry and I don't even try to navigate it while my car is moving, but I have been guilty of checking my text messages at a stop light...my GPS is more distracting to me when I am looking at it and wondering WTF as it tells me to take some street that makes no sense.....
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Erik Balderson, 30 Mar 2009 @ 10:08am

Texting?
Just because it was a Blackberry doesn't mean that he was texting or checking email.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 10:20am

Re: Re: Re: Do as I say - Not as I Do
Anonymous Coward #42: "Remember, everybody is human, and everybody makes honest mistakes"

Please explain to me what part of, "using mobile phones for texting and emailing while driving" was an UNINTENTIONAL mistake?
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Mikecancook, 30 Mar 2009 @ 10:23am

Ok
The problem isn't the phone. Has no one here with an automatic transmission ever rolled forward without intending to? I remember in high school driving my grandma's automatic and, since I was used to driving a stick, rolled into the car in front of me. Accidents happen.

Looking at his phone, changing the radio station, checking out the blond hippy, whatever.
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Lucretious, 30 Mar 2009 @ 10:24am

so, are any of the anti cell-phone-while-driving-law folks (who seem to be legion here) want to comment on the obvious?
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Mike, 30 Mar 2009 @ 10:25am

Re: Was he cited for breaking the law?
even if he was cited it would just be a traffic ticket. Its not like the guy ran someone over. It was an honest accident. A stupid accident, but i'm really tired of the governments condinuos effots to legislate stupidity. And people wonder why our court system is broken or that we (the land of the free) put more people in jail/prison than any other country in the world.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 10:32am

Re:
Lucretious, I dont think that anyone is actually blaming the phone. Most people here are blaming the fact that because of this "law", that the ones who are put forward to enforce it (the police) are not doing that job... even when it comes to their own miss-use. This is defined by The Law in that state.
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yer maw, 30 Mar 2009 @ 10:45am

stuped police chief
i think that man sould be put in jial for that, setting a bad example for younger people like 18 or 19 year olds who dont know any better
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ehrichweiss, 30 Mar 2009 @ 11:01am

Re: Re: Re: iPhone
I think you missed the point. In Washington it would still be illegal to make calls or txt while driving. The fact that it's made by Apple doesn't come into it at that point.

Jeez, you Apple fanbois really do think you're gods, huh.
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Josh Cerdia, 30 Mar 2009 @ 11:22am

Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
First of all, it's NOT illegal in WA state to make or receive calls, it is illegal to do it without a headset of some kind.

Second, I'm not an Apple Fanboy... I am however a gadget ninja that needs to be wired/(or unwired) to the net 24/7, every minute of the hour, every second of the minute.
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Chunky Vomit, 30 Mar 2009 @ 11:35am

Re: Texting?
I was waiting for somebody to point this out.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 11:38am

Can You Hear Me Now
The fact that he bumped another vehicle is secondary. The fact that he admitted to the cell phone use while driving infraction is commendable, but that does little to change the fact that he should not have been doing something that is considered illegal for everyone. I am not aware of a provision that exempts the police force from the cell phone use while driving law, is there one?
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NullOp, 30 Mar 2009 @ 11:49am

Accident
Firstly, I always wondered what happened to the "Beach Boys". Now I see Brian Wilson is a chief of police. I guess he got her out of his head...

Secondly, everyone can make mistakes!
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Sam Becket, 30 Mar 2009 @ 12:12pm

Fun fun fun...
Daddy should have taken his t-bird away.
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mobiGeek, 30 Mar 2009 @ 12:15pm

Two B's
For future reference, it is Black_B_erry, not Blackberry.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 12:17pm

Little known fact about the anti-texting law
It's a secondary offense so you can't get pulled over for it. Though really, given reckless driving laws it seems to be a redundant point.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 12:28pm

Re:
its not about giving him credit, (It is good that he owned up to it though) its about the fact that hes simply braking the law, therefore should be cited for it. doesnt matter whos braking the law. Do as i say, not as I do.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 12:32pm

Re: Re: Re: Do as I say - Not as I Do
yes yes, I agree that he admited he made a mistake, the REAL difference, is that if you were in an accident and admitted to texting/email you would probably get a ticket. (he may not be saying hes "above the law" but he for sure is living by it by not receiving a ticket) sry but that's the truth of it. PROVE ME WRONG.....
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 12:33pm

MEDIA!
why isnt the media all over this like WHITE ON RICE!!!!!?>>>>>????
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 12:37pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
they are gods!!!!!! bow 2 the apple gods...... bitch.. ;)
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Paul man, 30 Mar 2009 @ 12:40pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
ok, so even if it becomes Illegal to use phones in Illinois (i know it is in chitown) I will still use them, just power it off as the officer approches the car. and say i just like the feel of it, look osifer its off ;)
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Luci, 30 Mar 2009 @ 1:16pm

Re: Texting?
Well, except for the linked article that states he 'glanced down at his BlackBerry to view newspaper headlines and e-mails.' Could have been a newspaper, would have been the same thing. The fact that he wasn't texting saved him from that ticket.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 1:17pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
Just tell the officer that your iphone is in car mode.
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Kilgore Trout, 30 Mar 2009 @ 1:26pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
You really need to get a life.
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Josh Cerdia, 30 Mar 2009 @ 1:45pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
I have a life! You just don't understand us IT folk.
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josh Cerdia, 30 Mar 2009 @ 1:46pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
There is no such thing... If you turn on the "Airplane Mode" you won't be able to access the 2.5 or 3G networks for Google Maps, or get phone calls, or text. The only dumb thing you can do on your car with your iPhone while driving is play games or look at video podcasts,e tc...
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Phil McCraken, 30 Mar 2009 @ 2:31pm

Re: Re:
WTF is wrong with you? Do you understand what a continuum is? On the continuum of logic with one end being good and the other end being moronic, you don't even make the scale...
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Baloney Joe, 30 Mar 2009 @ 2:34pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
Sarcasm, look it up in the dictionary...
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Josh Cerdia, 30 Mar 2009 @ 2:51pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
Dictionary? what's that?...*Googles it*... Oh, I see:

sarcasm |ˈsärˌkazəm|
noun
the use of irony to mock or convey contempt : his voice, hardened by sarcasm, could not hide his resentment. See note at wit .
ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from French sarcasme, or via late Latin from late Greek sarkasmos, from Greek sarkazein ‘tear flesh,’ in late Greek ‘gnash the teeth, speak bitterly’ (from sarx, sark- ‘flesh’ ).
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 2:54pm

time to outlaw Police'ing. To dangerous.
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Lucretious, 30 Mar 2009 @ 4:10pm

Re: Re:
I understand the point of Mike's post.

I found the story ironic and I'm just asking folks who seem to be against any type of law that would prohibit cell phone use while driving (again, there seem to be many here) what they have to say about how this particular person got into an accident doing exactly what the laws are meant to deter.
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Pravitus, 30 Mar 2009 @ 4:36pm

Re: Do as I say - Not as I Do
Exactly true. Although Washington has enacted an "anti-texting" law, and a hands-free cellphone law, it is true that public safety officers are exempt from this law. See RCW 46.61.668 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.668 Pravitus
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 4:50pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone
Airplane mode - Ha - it was an obvious joke dude.
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Not Guilty, 30 Mar 2009 @ 4:52pm

Re: Re: Do as I say - Not as I Do
Thanks for the link - proves the point, they are above the law.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 6:22pm

Re: Re: Re: Do as I say - Not as I Do
No, he admitted his guilt in the matter and accepted full responsibility for his actions

Accepting full responsibility would mean getting a ticket and conviction for negligent collision on his driving record. That isn't happening.

This man in no way believes he is above the law.

He apparently does.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 6:38pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Do as I say - Not as I Do
I don't know about the State of Washington, but in Texas state law says that accidents involving a police officer do not go on the officer's record. and they sure don't get tickets. That's why they all have such good driving records if you check.

Now if one of them gets stinking drink behind the wheel and causes the death of a whole family with some cute little kids in the car and the press picks up on it, then they might be be held accountable. Might. Provided of course that the officer wasn't just doing his duty to stop a "terrorist" family from carrying out their dastardly plan of invading the local Walmart on a Sunday morning when any decent family would have been in church.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 6:44pm

Re: Re: Re:
WTF is wrong with you? Can't you see that admitting to a wrong doesn't excuse it? In fact, some people even brag.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2009 @ 10:24pm

Talk about corruption
In-your-face proof of corruption right here, folks!

Brian Wilson is a SCHMUCK!! He should be dragged through the mud just as he himself exercises the power to do to the "plain ol' citizen" that's guilty of the same thing.
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Rosa, 4 Jun 2009 @ 9:10am

hypocrisy from police, no!
more proof that DWT laws are unenforceable. i wonder if the crash looked like this: http://www.newsy.com/videos/texting_and_driving_your_right_or_a_new_way_to_crash
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kobe, 14 Jan 2010 @ 12:18pm

notyhing
shit head
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Straight Talk, 23 Mar 2010 @ 9:26am

Texting While Driving Needs to Stop
While yes, cities like Federal Way may have a lot of problems, I personally believe texting while driving is something that should be addressed everywhere. Please don't do it as it is stupid and dangerous. Washington's strict texting while driving laws
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