U.S. Senators Request Apple To Remove iPhone Apps That Provide DUI Checkpoint Locations From App Sto

^_^ · March 2011

U.S. Senators Request Apple To Remove iPhone Apps That Provide DUI Checkpoint Locations From App Store

A group of US Senators have sent an email to Apple, requesting them to remove iPhone apps that provide DUI (Driving Under Influence) checkpoint (also called “sobriety roadblocks”) locations from the App Store.

iPhone apps like Trapster alert users about speed traps, red light, speed cameras and other law enforcement checkpoints so that they can avoid them. They're quite popular on the App Store.

CNET reports:

Read the full story here

JDB · March 2011

They shouldn't. The idea is to prevent DUI's from happening, not making sure they squeeze every single person for every dime they have, even if they just have one or two beers. Maybe if they'd amend the app to include a taxi service, or call someone on their favorite's list, people wouldn't be upset about this app.

drrjv · March 2011

I doubt many drunks are using these Apps, so this is more a publicity stunt by our Senators (don't they have real work to do, like making a reasonable budget?). Do we want our Senators telling us what we can and can't put on our phones?

JayeDee369 · March 2011

They actually have a button on the bottom of the app that says call for taxi service and it lists different cab services in that particular area. I also agree with drrjv, these guys are just trying to find something else to do instead of their "jobs". I'm actually surprised these buffoons are still in office. How about you get in the fight against those that are trying to break up unions and put more people out of work-that was your rallying cry right-MORE JOBS?!?! How about you get to work doing that.

marcosx · March 2011

yeah i dont think drunk people can even see their phones. also i know many people who use this to get around them because they aren't legal here in the US so if they pass a check point (even thou this type of check points are illegal) they get kick out of the country by boarder patrols.

RBD2 · March 2011

Seems like it would set a dangerous precedent. Next they would go after sites that list speed traps and photo radar. I agree just politicians trying to justify there huge retirement packages. If you are sober enough to have the piece of mind open a mapping app and plot a stealth alternate route to you destination, then you are probably under the legal limit anyway.

VoIP · March 2011

It's rarely about Public Safety and most always about the money .. if it truely isn't about the money, then there would be an alternative punishment

jaimeguevara · March 2011

the police are required by law to release this type of information to the public.

Mitch · March 2011

I bet if they could tax these apps they would start to like them

george · March 2011

no we leave that to apple.. *ZING*.. lol

Doz · March 2011

Yup, I repeat after drrjv, don't they hav freaking jobs to do? US is racking up projected $14 trillion, and these so-called lawmakers or congress people are talking about DUI preventive apps. I bet they were probably texting and driving, i.e, if they aren't driven by chauffeurs.

[email protected] · March 2011

Best advertisement for trapster ever

hxclos · March 2011

They do, it's called a sales tax.

matt · March 2011

How does advertising DUI checkpoints do anyone any good? Is anyone going to say that it's a good idea to show drunks how to get home without getting picked up? Drunk people can't read? B.S. Do you even drink?

matt · March 2011

So you have any idea how much we spend on catching drunks? Trust me, police/city/states make nearly zero money off of it... once you add in police time, overtime for special events, prosecution time, paying for public attorneys, paying a judge/jury(if needed), paying for incarceration(if only for a night or two to see the judge). It's about getting drunks off the road, not money.

Michael Heister · March 2011

Great idea, Senators, because NOBODY is going to think to simply set up a Twitter hashtag.Meanwhile, as others have pointed out, at least some of these apps make it easier to call a taxi.Idiots.

Johnny · March 2011

Typical dem...They always will pass laws to take away your rights and say it's in the name of public safety. I will never vote for another dem as long as i live!!!!

Josh · March 2011

I mean, what the hell is the point of this? The last thing you'd be able to do when you're drunk is remember, oh crap, I should pull my iPhone out and check the DUI checkpoints. That is the last thing on your mind let alone being able to even operate your iPhone to search for the checkpoints. And if you are capable enough to pull your iPhone out while you're hammered, then you probably aren't all that drunk after all. What is next, banning websites from discussing DUI checkpoint locations? Because I'll just use safari and pull it up through a web-app. If this is what Congress is worried about when the US is flat broke and involved in three wars, then they need a slap in the face. Something called priorities comes to mind...

fas · March 2011

LOL, that will help them catch more people, eh

Paradox · March 2011

just another reason people will goto jail breaking. If app store removes it, it will go to the underground of app distribution.

TeacherKen · March 2011

They are called lawmakers because that is their job. You have misused so-called. But that is okay because you are a so-called human. Oh by the way I agree with everything you said. These so-called lawmakers need to stop being republicans and democrats and start making gay ****. That would create a lot of new sc-called jobs in the television industry.

TeacherKen · March 2011

Are you serious? You will never vote for a democrat for as long as you live? Never is an awfully long time. With all of the union busting that the republicans are doing lately I am sure you'll change your mind, unless you like to bust unions and make babies hungry at night because daddy had to chose between food or medication! That poor little baby! Oh by the way I agree with you, the democrats like to take the tax breaks away from the mega corporations and the super wealthy! They are so evil, only resenting the working class! The everyday man/woman/gay/black/Asian/human is who the democrats protect from the horrid drunk driving idiot republicans.

shea · March 2011

Look, if you wanna complain about sumthing how about you spend your time with the jaywalking tickets they give out and not the DUI Checkpoints which stop drunk douche bags like you..im guessing.

netsnake · April 2011

Are you kidding me? Of course they make money off of it our local jail charges $50.00 a night for the privilege of staying there. Why else do small towns have brand new police cruisers to drive, and pull people over for anything like bumping the curb and crossing the centerline its all b.s. and really how many drunks can you catch by lining up 7 cruisers with their lights on? They would have better luck setting up a 50 ft beer bottle and a sign that says drunks enter here for free oil change. I'm also thinking this should piss more people off for being an attempt at stopping a form of free speech.

Aaron · May 2011

IPhone apps Wow! This is nothing new to me. I don’t understand why this is a big problem. If people pay their hard earn money for something then they should have it. However, our government could do anything they want and its ok, but when it comes down to it citizens we are too stupid to think for ourselves. What is next for us? Will our government tell apple to remove all the fast food apps because people are overweight?

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U.S. Senators Request Apple To Remove iPhone Apps That Provide DUI Checkpoint Locations From App Sto

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