Home | Community | Message Board


This site includes paid links. Please support our sponsors.


Welcome to the Shroomery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!

Shop: Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   PhytoExtractum Kratom Powder for Sale   Bridgetown Botanicals Bridgetown Botanicals, CBD Concentrates

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1
Invisible5-HT2A
Registered: 01/30/10
Posts: 1,794
Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints * 1
    #14170666 - 03/23/11 03:00 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/23/smartphone-app-surges-senators-complain-helps-drivers-avoid-dui-checkpoints/

A group of senators unintentionally sent sales through the roof for the maker of a smartphone app that alerts drivers to DUI checkpoints, after they called on Apple and other manufacturers to ban the product.

Joe Scott, CEO of PhantomALERT, told FoxNews.com on Wednesday that downloads are up by 5,000 percent and sales are up by 3,000 percent since the four senators voiced concern about the product, prompting a wave of media coverage in technology publications.

"In a way, they're kind of helping us," Scott said.

That wasn't what the senators were going for. Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.; Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.; and Tom Udall, D-N.M., fired off a letter Tuesday that described such applications as a menace to road safety. They called on Apple, Google and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion to ban applications that alert users to drunk-driving checkpoints, or at least remove that function from them.

"We appreciate the technology that has allowed millions of Americans to have information at their fingertips, but giving drunk drivers a free tool to evade checkpoints, putting innocent families and children at risk, is a matter of public concern," they wrote. "We hope that you will give our request to make these applications unavailable immediate consideration."

The senators announced Wednesday that Research in Motion has since agreed to remove the apps from its online store.

While the letter did not name the applications in question, Schumer said they were talking about PhantomALERT and Trapster. The latter gives users an interactive network where they can share the location of speed traps and other "enforcement" areas with other users. PhantomALERT offers a database -- for GPS and smartphones -- of everything from railroad crossings to red-light cameras to DUI checkpoints.

Trapster, with more than 11 million users, is much more popular than PhantomALERT. Trapster creator Pete Tenereillo said that, as such, the company did not get a huge spike in downloads after the senators raised their complaint.

But both executives rejected the argument that the applications are meant to help drunk drivers avoid getting caught. Rather, they said the apps make users think twice about driving drunk because they become more aware of how easy it is to get caught.

"Our obvious and strong hope is that we would not encourage people to drive drunk," Tenereillo said, describing Trapster as a "deterrent." He noted the application gives users a prompt to "find a taxi" if such a checkpoint pops up.

Besides, Tenereillo said, the DUI checkpoint feature is one of more than two-dozen, including a function that alerts drivers to roadkill like dead elk, which he said could be particularly harmful.

"DUI checkpoints ... are reported daily on Twitter and Facebook. I don't know if those are going to be shut down," he said.

Scott likened PhantomALERT to run-of-the-mill road signs that announce DUI checkpoints, or press releases sent out by local police departments about stepped-up enforcement.

"If (the senators) actually found out what PhantomALERT is all about and how we help drivers they'd actually support us," he said. "It's just a knee-jerk reaction. ... We help drivers avoid traffic tickets by helping them obey traffic laws."

He shared one testimonial from a supposed user claiming to have gotten a ride home from a friend one libation-filled night after checking PhantomALERT and seeing a checkpoint nearby.

But Schumer said the overriding effect of the apps is to give drunk drivers a clear route on the roads after partying.

"These applications are nothing more than a how-to guide in avoiding law enforcement and they provide drunk drivers with the tools they need to go undetected, putting innocent families and children at risk," Schumer said in a written statement.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinefbi365
Captain of the Sinking Ship
Male


Registered: 02/07/11
Posts: 2,857
Loc: Nowhere
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: 5-HT2A]
    #14170767 - 03/23/11 03:14 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

Thats awesome.  Though, the Senators SHOULD be complaining about the unconstitutionality of DUI checkpoints and the practice of preforming random searches at such checkpoints without probable cause.  You have a reasonable expectation of privacy in your vehicle they cannot invade that privacy without due process.  Thats how understand it...


--------------------




Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleTheDrake
Male User Gallery


Registered: 06/15/07
Posts: 1,720
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: 5-HT2A]
    #14170779 - 03/23/11 03:17 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

thinking about getting a smartphone now. not for dui checkpoints, just to avoid cops altogether.


--------------------


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblebigmike7104
Stranger
 User Gallery
Registered: 07/12/10
Posts: 1,395
Loc: USA Flag
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: fbi365]
    #14171201 - 03/23/11 04:31 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

fbi365 said:
Thats awesome.  Though, the Senators SHOULD be complaining about the unconstitutionality of DUI checkpoints and the practice of preforming random searches at such checkpoints without probable cause.  You have a reasonable expectation of privacy in your vehicle they cannot invade that privacy without due process.  Thats how understand it...




they're not legal under the constitution, but it's considered the DUI exception to the constitution which is fucked up.

http://www.duiblog.com/2005/05/09/the-dui-exception-to-the-constitution/


--------------------
Over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind
Withering my intuition, missing opportunities and I must
Feed my will to feel my moment drawing way outside the lines


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinefbi365
Captain of the Sinking Ship
Male


Registered: 02/07/11
Posts: 2,857
Loc: Nowhere
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: bigmike7104]
    #14171263 - 03/23/11 04:41 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

bigmike7104 said:
Quote:

fbi365 said:
Thats awesome.  Though, the Senators SHOULD be complaining about the unconstitutionality of DUI checkpoints and the practice of preforming random searches at such checkpoints without probable cause.  You have a reasonable expectation of privacy in your vehicle they cannot invade that privacy without due process.  Thats how understand it...




they're not legal under the constitution, but it's considered the DUI exception to the constitution which is fucked up.

http://www.duiblog.com/2005/05/09/the-dui-exception-to-the-constitution/




Well I should be a fucking lawyer then.  I didn't read that atrociously long link, but I imagine it has been tested in high court by now. 

There are a lot of "exceptions" to the constitution...


--------------------




Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflinePeterGriffin467
Dirt Grub
Male

Registered: 09/18/07
Posts: 6,647
Loc: six feet under
Last seen: 11 years, 28 days
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: fbi365]
    #14171364 - 03/23/11 05:01 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

I think dui checkpoints are bullshit but I dont have any sympathy for people who get caught driving drunk, that shit is completely dangerous and irresponsibly and not to mention incredibly selfish.


--------------------
"I just need to check inside ya asshole SIR.... Asshole clear!"


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinefbi365
Captain of the Sinking Ship
Male


Registered: 02/07/11
Posts: 2,857
Loc: Nowhere
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: PeterGriffin467]
    #14171420 - 03/23/11 05:11 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

We should put DUIs in Guantanamo with all the other people who have been stripped of their rights.


--------------------




Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinetimelapses
Life in free form
Male


Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 4,600
Loc: in a shroomery prison
Last seen: 7 years, 5 months
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: 5-HT2A]
    #14172704 - 03/23/11 09:22 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

That is awesome.  Whoever came up with that app should be given an award or something.  Checkpoints, IMO, or like Communist countries saying all for the "public good" of "keeping people safe".  Fuck them.


--------------------


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleCapers
Man About Town
Male

Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 16,338
Loc: United States Flag
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: timelapses]
    #14174270 - 03/24/11 05:34 AM (12 years, 10 months ago)

If you have a driver's license, you agree to forfeit your constitutional rights while driving--implied consent.

Not that we really have em the rest of the time...


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlineh00ligaN
knowledge fiend
Male User Gallery


Registered: 07/06/09
Posts: 262
Loc: misery
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: Capers]
    #14174327 - 03/24/11 06:07 AM (12 years, 10 months ago)

trapster is bomb. this is kinda like my old town. callin each other that needed to know about where the cops were that day. no tellin how many tickets/charges we dodged. but trapster has this path color designation for how many trapster users traveled a route succesfully and without contact. thats useful.


--------------------
you can kill the revolutionary, but you can't kill the revolution.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleFleshCap
FleshCap
Male User Gallery


Registered: 11/10/08
Posts: 685
Loc: Cali Underground Flag
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: h00ligaN]
    #14175490 - 03/24/11 12:15 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

It's interesting that these particular apps are being challenged. The law regarding check points actually states that "checkpoints must be announced to the public before they are set up". Moreover, drivers must be given the opportunity to turn around and are not required to go through the checkpoint.


--------------------


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinetimelapses
Life in free form
Male


Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 4,600
Loc: in a shroomery prison
Last seen: 7 years, 5 months
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: FleshCap]
    #14175951 - 03/24/11 01:50 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

FleshCap said:
It's interesting that these particular apps are being challenged. The law regarding check points actually states that "checkpoints must be announced to the public before they are set up". Moreover, drivers must be given the opportunity to turn around and are not required to go through the checkpoint.




Yeah I love that.  Hearing it on the local news or seeing it announced in the paper.  Got to keep some resemblence of "land of the free and the home of the brave".


--------------------


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleRODIpure


Registered: 05/28/10
Posts: 274
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: timelapses]
    #14177034 - 03/24/11 04:44 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

They got radios and computers, why can we?


--------------------
Nemo vir est qui mundum non reddat meliorem..


"Sometimes it takes three blunts to get through to me.." -WK


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineAlan RockefellerM
Mycologist
Male User Gallery

Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 48,312
Last seen: 3 days, 17 hours
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: FleshCap]
    #14177978 - 03/24/11 07:20 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

FleshCap said:
Moreover, drivers must be given the opportunity to turn around and are not required to go through the checkpoint.




Is that true?  I have heard that the police often have units waiting to pull over people who turn around.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineGrimTroll
Cultural Terrorist
Male User Gallery


Registered: 10/15/06
Posts: 1,255
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 5 days, 8 hours
Re: Smartphone App Surges After Senators Complain It Helps Drivers Avoid DUI Checkpoints [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
    #14178073 - 03/24/11 07:36 PM (12 years, 10 months ago)

Here in Canada (Regina, SK to be exact) -- You text a #, once, and then just confirm you sent the message, and from that point on, you are notified of all accidents, cops, radar, traps, cheap premium gas, etc.

The cops like to sometimes set up radar behind my place of work, in our parking lot; the satisfaction that comes from telling them, I broadcast their little radar set-up to the town, and to get off my fucking property; is priceless.


--------------------
Now pick me up night and whirlwind and let me ride with you to peace of mind and nothing to rebel...


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1

Shop: Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   PhytoExtractum Kratom Powder for Sale   Bridgetown Botanicals Bridgetown Botanicals, CBD Concentrates


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* US Senator would destroy MP3 traders' PCs TinMan 1,657 6 06/25/03 12:57 PM
by daussaulit
* Legalize pot, Canadian Senate committee says ThorA 7,584 8 07/28/08 07:46 PM
by Mitchnast
* Soil Fungi May Help Determine Resilience Of Forests To Environmental Change JonEveryman88 470 0 03/18/18 11:19 PM
by JonEveryman88
* African shrub may help drug withdrawal motamanM 2,525 1 05/04/03 10:04 PM
by Hans_Moleman
* Indian researcher helping to introduce high yielding mushroo motamanM 1,325 2 11/11/03 01:03 PM
by DailyPot
* Rehab Helps Jack Osbourne Get To Root Of Addiction Problems motamanM 2,300 7 07/07/03 06:56 PM
by MOTH
* 2 students allegedly helped smuggle illegal mushrooms motamanM 2,966 4 09/15/03 09:46 AM
by Starter
* 2 students allegedly helped smuggle illegal mushrooms Lana 1,375 1 02/26/04 09:41 AM
by mitemouse

Extra information
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: motaman, veggie, Alan Rockefeller, Mostly_Harmless
2,247 topic views. 0 members, 2 guests and 3 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:

Copyright 1997-2024 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.033 seconds spending 0.008 seconds on 14 queries.