Not Guilty Plea: Using iPod On Bike

January 31, 2012

In Magistrates Court this morning [Jan.31], 29-year-old Catherine Farnsworth pleaded not guilty to a charge of using an electronic device whilst riding a motorcycle.

The offence was alleged to have occurred around 7:35am on Thursday 5th January 2012 and the device was said to be an iPod.

After a short discussion, she was bailed in the sum of $500 to re-appear for trial on 16th March 2012.

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Category: All, Court Reports, News, technology

Comments (33)

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  1. WOW says:

    BPS is a JOKE. So is our system. Ur a CRIMINAL now for using ipods while riding. Cant make a call while riding or driving. What if its an emergency? u get charged for calling an ambulance. Only ine Bermuda. BPS and the System is a Joke. F Bermuda

    • Road Sense says:

      @WOW:

      Such anger – - with all the stress in the world, sometimes you need to exhale a little. Now, in regards to your comments, you would agree that if you break the law that makes you a criminal? Not a career criminal, but a criminal no less – correct. WE ARE ALL CRIMINALS AS we all don’t drive the speed limit all the time, we might take that extra grape when shopping – etc.

      My point is – using the term criminal like that is just dishonest. “What if it’s an emergency?” – simple answer to that question – Use the phone. The law states:

      “A person does not contravene a provision of this regulation if –
      (a) he is using the mobile telephone or other device to call the police, fire, ambulance or other emergency service”

      I can’t really speak to your “F Bermuda” thing – - if that’s how you feel, that’s you – - but honestly family, we need to stop sweating the little things – we have bigger problems to deal with – - MEANING THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS NOT DRIVE WITH THE PHONE AND THE PROBLEM IS FIXED – - we as a community need to stop trying to find fault in everything so we have something to complain about – - it is wasteful energy and we need all the energy to deal with education, crime, the economy – - understand everybody?

      Road Sense

    • Jo Public says:

      Don’t blame the police, they are only doing what we ask them to do which is enforce the law. The dont make laws, they enforce them. If you want to blame someone for a law you dont like, blame the govermnet as they are the ones that made it illegal. However, is it that difficult to ignore your phone while driving… or pull over to make a call? If you cant manage this simple task and if you dont see the safety concerns then maybe you need to speak to someone involved in an accident caused by someone not paying attention to the road because they were on the phone. Let me guess, you got skills and you can ride and text at the same time right!? Remember these words, you will get away with riding or driving and talking on the phone every time but once! When your luck (aka skill)runs out I just hope you dont hurt or kill someone else and I hope you remember this reply to your post. By the way , I wish you a speedy recovery.

      • walls says:

        Road sense and Jo public need to read the article. The issue disallowing headphones with music, it has nothing to do with cell phone usage!

    • WOW says:

      the f bermuda thing came out because Bermuda is not for US. They are taking everything aaway from US. finding ways to take more of our money and ruin our scociety. Soon we wont be able to fish without payin or grow vegetables in your own yard like america an canada. They jus want money. Our souls mean nothing in the eyes of the antichrist. $$$$$$$ is the root of all evil. All the violence and gang activity here and they are worrying about ppl on ipods? ALCOHOL is the demon not Iphone. Then again Alcohol is Legal right? Im jus had enough of this island. sorry

    • Pete W. says:

      In reply to the the email WOW who ask`s what if it is an emergency,
      Answer is very simple. Pull over to roadside as not to obstruct other vehicles,
      STOP, then make call.
      Remember your first responsibility is to drive / ride vehicles in a safe manner
      as not to endanger other Persons, Vehicles, and Yourself.
      So what is the big Joke WOW about operating a vehichle in a safe,Responsible and Respectful manner on the roads in Bermuda?

  2. Skeet MArx says:

    Vroooom!!! as a scram goes rippin pass doin about 90……. End of the month pull-overs.

    • all clogged up says:

      LOL she had to get bailed? Big time criminal! for allegedly using an ipod? Is this what we pay BPS for? hahahahaha I remember when Front Line owned court street like the untouchables…..and this lady gets hauled into court like a criminal? A bunch of wussies!!!!!

  3. Mildly disgruntled says:

    @ Road sense..nice to know you are a wonderful law abiding citizen but gosh this ipod thing bores me. I don’t see the relevance and never will and I’ve read the law. It may seem juvenile but if I can’t listen to music while I ride why can people listen to music while they drive??? I can’t tell! Have a blessed evening Bernews!

  4. Whistling Frog says:

    Are you guilty for just having you earplugs in your ears? Clog up the court system… Everybody plead not guilty.

  5. enough says:

    BPS are law enforcement not law makers. Go whine to the politicians, the ones you voted in, that thought this was an issue then drafted, voted on and enacted the legislation. No, police don’t have to go an enforce it but it’s not all they’re doing obviously; it’s just newsworthy at the moment because the first cases are coming to court.
    No comments on the 2 burglars arrested on a stolen bike with possible stolen property on them by officers on patrol in aneighbourhood blighted by break-ins.
    Speaks volumes.

    • Frustrated with all the stupid whining! says:

      Thank you enough! This is my point!
      People complain and make noise about this dumb crap and the real issues they all go quiet on!
      follow the law or pain your fine or time.

      • tricks are for kids says:

        People are going to complain because THEY CAN whether YOU care to hear it or not and what may be “passionate” to you may not be to someone else. Bail for an Ipod offence whether you care to admit it or not is really a bit much..and at “enough” give people time to get to the article to which you are referring….hopefully after you have posted YOUR comment people will follow right along…..

    • MPP says:

      Bernews needs to update its comment system with a rating system… a “Like” button or a “+1″ button.

      As for this comment: +1

  6. policestate says:

    these laws r ridiculous!She had to get bail for using a ipod, thats straight bull$&!#,the Govament is gone crazy!!! they need to retract these laws and catch real criminals, i guess alex rollin going to tell you where she is from.

  7. JAWS says:

    This is a bull$hit law. Stats show that drunk drivers kill not some little Miss Riding Hood on her bike. You fools on the OBA and PLP are chasing the wrong people. You all better deal with this crime fast.

    Funny thing about it is the only time your going to get serious is when one of these punks points the gun at you. In the meantime a hard working man such as myself is walking around Bermuda like it’s some dam prison yard. Now days the safest place to be appears to either West Gate or the Police Station.

    • Tez says:

      This place is totally becoming a prison – they might as well close the airport and keep us here forever. Seems to be what they want, restricting our freedom the way they do. I’ve never caused an accident because of an ipod and I doubt anyone else has either. I agree with the phones, but come on now… Definitely a way to put money in the governments pocket. When is the UK going to step in and set this country straight????

  8. 80's Role Model says:

    30 days nuffin less

  9. Frustrated with all the stupid whining! says:

    having music in your car is different from it being directly in your ears. If you have it in your ears you are less likely to hear any emergency vehicles approaching.
    as far as phones go, inattention is a major issue on the roads and it goes for more than just phones and ipods but atleast someone is trying to do something!

    no matter what bps does people complain. they do something people complain, they dont do something people complain. all bermudians do is complain and about dumb crap and that and its very frustrating. With all that is going on people complain about this instead of taking a stand on bigger things that matter! all want to complain but then sit on their behinds and do nothing!

    do something positive or real or just shut up!

    • Tez says:

      I could drive with one ear in and one out, and I can still hear what’s going on around me just fine. I’ve never known someone to be in an accident because they were listening to their ipod. Have you?

      • Road Sense says:

        Yes @TEZ:

        I know of several individuals in this country whose collisions were directly caused by their using a cell phone while driving . . . and you don’t hear those facts because they lied to the BPS when the officer showed up and they are listed as “cause = inattention” and then they are charged with “driving without due care & attention.”

        The simple fact is IT IS THE LAW – SO DONT DRIVE WITH THE PHONES OR THE IPODS – - if you don’t like the law, too late?!

        Road Sense

        • Panty Raider says:

          Whoa, wait a mintute. We got a Bada** over here.

        • walls says:

          Road sense you need to read the article. The issue disallowing headphones with music, it has nothing to do with cell phone usage!

          • Tez says:

            Thank you! And cell phones I can definitely understand – people text and dial which causes lack of attention to the road. If your ipod plays continuously, you should have no need to adjust it whilst driving, and if the volume is low enough, shouldn’t block surrounding noises… If the music were a problem generally, they should ban cd players and ipod attachments. Someone could be just as distracted by skipping a song on the cd player.

    • Whistling Frog says:

      So what about those people that are deaf who have a license to drive and ride… And when I drive while playing my music with the windows up I can’t hear anything outside of my car…

  10. Tez says:

    I got pulled over for just having them in my ears and turned OFF! Luckily they just gave me a warning, but even still, I was mortified for being pulled over during rush hour traffic and having to stand there while everyone I know from my job drives past and sees me. What I don’t understand is how you could be riding with an ipod in your pocket and not touching it, but yet no one will pull you over for your music blasting in your car… and you think those people can hear emergency vehicles coming up behind them??? What are they going to do next, fine you for having a radio or cd player on in your car? Stop vehicles from even being sold with radios? It’s the same thing as having earphones in on a bike. It’s stupid.

  11. J says:

    lol

    lifes a joke

  12. Disgusted says:

    Anything for Govt to make more money.

  13. Panty Raider says:

    If ipods are illegal, why are they selling helmets with bluetooth built in?? isn’t that like the same thing?

  14. digi says:

    When did that become a crime? so sad> i hope they catch me lol cuz i wouldnt even need an attorney to tell them where to stick it!!

  15. walls says:

    good to see someone doing the right thing and challenging such a injust law!

    I am sure there are others who have also been booked, hopefully they challenge just the same. If the fine is $500 or more then it makes sense to challenge the law.

    Hopefully the judge will see sense!

  16. 2012 says:

    This law is honestly such BS…. People can drive around blasting music full of bass, which is illegal, but they dont get pulled over or fined. Whereas I ride with one earpiece in and I get pulled over and fined. It makes more sense…. Most drivers (such as myself) listen to music with the windows up most days, not sure how this is better than one earpiece, let alone safer. I just think the government/Police are looking for a reason to get more money.
    I’ve seen plenty of police in their cars (since the law was passed) using cell phones, clear as day.

    Way to go Bermuda, once again, you’ve ripped us off money wise!