Georgia State Patrol dismisses ticket after dashcam video sparks controversy in Warner Robins
A traffic stop in Warner Robins during the Thunder Task Force operation Thursday led to a viral dashcam video and a now-dismissed citation for a local driver.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A traffic stop in Warner Robins during the Thunder Task Force operation Thursday led to a viral dashcam video and a now-dismissed citation for a driver.
The footage, shared nearly 5,000 times from Lawrence Dixon’s Facebook account as of 4 p.m. on Friday, showed Dixon being ticketed for holding a phone, despite the video not showing one in his hand. The City of Warner Robins released a statement Thursday night saying the stop involved an “outside agency with independent arrest powers” and directed further inquiries to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
On Thursday, the Georgia Department of Public Safety released the following statement:
“When a matter regarding one of our Troopers is brought to our attention, we take it seriously. Mr. Dixon was contacted directly yesterday by Georgia State Patrol personnel. After further investigation into the incident, the charge against Mr. Dixon was dismissed.”
Georgia State Patrol also contacted Dixon after reviewing the viral footage. Dixon said he was using his phone’s GPS, which was mounted, while working as an Uber driver. His dashcam recorded all angles of his ride, capturing the entire interaction with the trooper.
The stop happened at Watson Boulevard and Houston Road. Dixon, who had just picked up a passenger, said he was in full compliance with traffic laws and was surprised when officers pulled him over.
“I just thought to myself, like, ‘Hey, I’m under compliance. I have my license, I have my insurance,'” Dixon said. “As long as I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, I don’t feel like I should be pulled over.”
His initial reaction was shock.
“Unbelievable,” he said. “I figured they must have been trying to stop someone else other than me. We were at a red light, and we were the first to go. I knew we weren’t speeding, I knew I didn’t commit any crimes, so it was unbelievable.”
Dixon said the stop left him feeling unsafe.
“As long as they have this operation going on, even though I know I’m in compliance, I felt like that was going to be a recurring thing, and they lied,” he said.
Dixon believes the trooper who pulled him over should face disciplinary action.
“You don’t feel like you can really approach them,” he said. “They didn’t take the time to listen.”
Dixon also shared that he had been prepared for situations like this and offered advice to others.
“Protect yourself as much as possible,” he said. “Always have your license, your insurance, have your documents together, and also have dashcam footage because you never know.”
The Thunder Task Force, a multi-agency enforcement effort led by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, launched Thursday in Warner Robins. The operation focuses on impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and seat belt violations. It involves the Warner Robins Police Department, Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, Middle Georgia Traffic Enforcement Network and GOHS Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (H.E.A.T.) Units.
Law enforcement officials are reminding drivers to follow Georgia’s Hands-Free Law and other traffic regulations as the enforcement effort continues through Sunday.
