Will the co-pilot playing with a mobile phone be penalized if photographed?
2 Answers
During driving, the co-pilot playing with a mobile phone will not be penalized. Here are the relevant details: 1. Article 90: For behaviors such as making or answering handheld phone calls or watching TV while driving that hinder safe driving, the motor vehicle driver will be given a warning or fined, and 2 points will be deducted from the driver's license. 2. Reduced safety: At this time, it has a significant impact on speed control, distance keeping, and obstacle avoidance, making it very easy for the vehicle to be misoperated or out of control, leading to accidents. 3. Distracted attention: As long as the driver plays with a mobile phone while driving, at least half of their attention will be diverted to the phone, undoubtedly neglecting the observation of road vehicles and surrounding pedestrians. In case of emergencies, it will greatly reduce the ability to respond and reaction time, resulting in traffic accidents.
I used to wonder if playing with a phone in the passenger seat would result in penalty points when I first started driving. In reality, traffic cameras primarily target driver violations, such as using a phone while driving, which can lead to a 3-point deduction and a fine if caught. As a passenger, playing with a phone in the passenger seat is generally not considered a violation unless local regulations have specific rules, such as some cities that have introduced penalties for passenger behavior—though this is rare. The way cameras work is by capturing the vehicle's position and the driver's actions; they aren't designed to capture passenger details. However, from a safety perspective, a passenger playing with their phone can be distracting, making the driver lose focus and increasing the risk of accidents. Once, while driving my family on a trip, the passenger was watching short videos with loud audio, and I almost missed a critical situation at an intersection. Safety comes first—even if no points are deducted, it's best to agree on a quiet atmosphere in the car and avoid entertainment devices that could distract. I recommend regularly checking for updates to local traffic regulations and cultivating the habit of minimizing phone use by passengers while driving. After all, arriving safely is what matters most.
