Por Wilson Wong – NBC News
An Ohio state senator was caught driving on Monday while attending a government meeting via Zoom, the same day the state was considering a bill proposing to take action against distracted drivers.
In the video of the State Control Board meeting, which was broadcast live to the public, State Senator Andrew Brenner can be seen sitting in the driver’s seat of his parked car. Then he seems to lean forward and turn off his camera.
When Brenner returns, the video shows the senator with a new virtual background to make it look like you’re in an office and not at the wheel of your car. The filter shows brown wooden cabinets, hanging art pieces, and a houseplant. However, a seat belt tied to his chest gives him away.
Throughout the call, Brenner occasionally turns his head to the side, revealing the view from the driver’s window.
“Senator Brenner was simply following the law, and he used hands-free audio technology,” said his spokesman John Fortney.
Brenner, a Republican representing an area north of Columbus, told The Columbus Dispatch what “I was not distracted” during Zoom’s call, and admitted that he has previously taken phone calls while driving.
[El periodista Jeffrey Toobin es despedido de la revista The New Yorker tras mostrar sus partes íntimas en una videollamada de Zoom]
“I was paying attention to driving,” Brenner said. “I had two meetings in a row at different locations. And I’ve actually been on other calls, numerous calls, while driving. Most of the phone calls, but on video calls I don’t pay attention to the video. For me, it’s like a phone call“.
The incident occurred while the state House of Representatives considered a bill that criminalizes the use of the telephone while driving. House Bill 283 seeks to prohibit drivers from doing a number of things behind the wheel, such as send text messages, take photos and use mobile applications. It would also make holding and using an electronic device while driving, such as looking up directions, a major offense.
[Entraron a robar mientras estaba en una clase por Zoom y esa fue su salvación]
In February, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement that he would include driving safety provisions in his next budget bill.
“Current Ohio laws don’t go far enough to change the culture around distracted driving, and people are dying for it“said DeWine.” Distracted driving is an option that should be as culturally unacceptable as it is today. driving under the influence of alcohol, and the strengthening of our current laws will lead to a more responsible driving, “he added.
The Brenner incident is the latest mundane episode to take an interesting turn in the era of coronavirus, video conferencing, and telecommuting.
Last month, a Canadian legislator was caught naked during a virtual meeting of the House of Commons. William Amos, who has represented the Pontiac district of Quebec since 2015, explained that his video was accidentally turned on while he was putting on his work clothes after running.
“I sincerely apologize to my colleagues in the House of Commons for this inadvertent distraction. Obviously, it was an honest mistake and it will not happen again,” he said then in a statement.
In February, a Sacramento plastic surgeon appeared in traffic court for Zoom while he was operating on a patient. Dr. Scott Green appeared in the virtual room from an operating room dressed in a surgical gown and mask.
Despite the doubts of a court clerk, Green insisted that they go ahead with the trial.
“Mr. Green. Hello. Are you available for the trial? It looks like you are in an operating room right now,” the secretary said in a video captured by The Sacramento Bee.
“I am, sir. I am in an operating room. Yes, I am available for trial. Go ahead, “Green replied.
And that same month, a virtual court hearing came to an abrupt halt in southwest Texas when an attorney inadvertently appeared on screen like a cat generated by a computer filter.
Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton went to great lengths to disable the applied filter after appearing in Zoom court as a fluffy white and brown kitten. Ponton later explained that he was forced to use the computer of his secretary, whose son was the last to use the desk, because his office was in the middle of a move.
In the hearing, Ponton could be heard saying: “I’m ready to go ahead with it. I’m here live, I am not a cat “.
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