Bexar County, Tx., will run an experiment of having traffic tickets sent to your phone without an officer pulling you over, reports KENS5 in San Antonio. "It's not a 100% solution, but it's a step forward in the right direction," said Val Garcia, President & CEO of the Trusted Driver Program. Garcia is one of five former San Antonio police officers who are part of a 12-member team that created and developed Trusted Driver. It is not an app but rather a web-based program where drivers can avoid seeing a police officer face-to-face, and instead get a ticket via text message. "If we minimize those interactions just for minor traffic violations, they have more time to dedicate to serious crime like DWI's that are on the road, reckless drivers, racing," said Garcia.
Interested drivers may register at mytrusteddriver.com. There, participants create a profile. Include any disabilities or medical conditions police need to know. All information provided is secure and encrypted. No information is shared with third parties. "If you're deaf, if you have PTSD, autism, a medical condition like diabetes or a physical disability but you're still allowed to drive," said Garcia. "It really gives an officer information faster in the field to handle a traffic stop if it does occur and be able to deescalate." When registered drivers commit a minor traffic violation, police won't turn on their lights and pull them over. Instead, an officer runs your license plate, verifies that you're the driver, calls up your Trusted Driver information and sends a text with a warning or citation to your phone. For citizens who wish to contest their ticket, court proceedings can be handled virtually as well through the program. Trusted Driver is free and citizens can opt out at any time.
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