Shocking! Las Vegas Woman Gets $200 Ticket For Applying Lip Balm At A Red Light
We all know we shouldn't be talking on a phone, texting on a smartphone, snapping shots and posting on Instagram or Snapchat while behind the wheel.
Shaving's typically frowned upon, as is balancing a checkbook or applying nail polish.
But who knew that putting on some cherry flavored lip balm was on the list of no-nos when driving a car. At least it's a no-no in Las Vegas.
Well now Stephanie Fragoso knows it's not legal to pull out that Chapstick and apply it, even at a red light. She did just that and found herself getting a $200 ticket for 'distracted driving.'
Ironically the 37-year-old said she was heading to the state department of motor vehicle when a Nevada Highway Patrol officer saw her applying the balm at a red light. As she moved forward the officer pulled her over claiming she was putting on makeup, which falls under 'distracted driving' under state motor vehicle law.
"I said no, I was putting on Chapstick," Fragoso said. "He was very sorry; he did not want to give it to me," Fragoso added.
At first she thought it may have been a joke, given it happened on April Fools' Day. But no such luck. Apparently it's also illegal to be eating, or watching a movie on a mobile computing device.
"It's really crazy, but the drivers in the city are so bad, I kind of feel better knowing that [police] are doing it," Fragoso said. "I'm just kind of sad I was the example of that."
Apparently Nevada state police are working hard to make the roads safe by enforcing the distracted driving law. Even those drinking water while driving face a ticket.
"It states that when a person is operating a vehicle they must provide full attention to the driving so that it won't render that action to be unsafe," said Trooper Loy Hixson.
Apparently putting Chapstick on is one of the least dangerous acts Hixson has seen while on patrol.
"They may be eating; we've seen women putting on makeup. I have seen men shaving with their electric razors," Hixson said. "One time, when I was driving down U.S. 95, I saw a lady watching a movie on her iPad and the iPad was attached to her steering wheel with Velcro."
In addition to the fine Fragoso also will now have points applied against her license.
