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Ironic detail emerges from senator's Zoom meeting

A US senator has been mocked after he was caught out driving during a meeting, disguising his trip with a Zoom background.

Ohio Senator Andrew Brenner was in a Zoom video meeting of the Ohio Controlling Board when he turned on a generic background that appeared to be an office.

He could still be seen however wearing a seatbelt and looking around as if he was keeping an eye out for obstructions and traffic while driving.

Andrew Brenner, on the right and second down, is seen with his seatbelt on during the Zoom call. Source: The Ohio Channel
Andrew Brenner, on the right and second down, is seen with his seatbelt on during the Zoom call. Source: The Ohio Channel

In an ironic twist, the Zoom call took place the day a distracted driving bill has been introduced in Ohio, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Senator Brenner told the newspaper however he was not distracted during the call.

"I was paying attention to the driving and listening to it (the meeting)," he said.

"I had two meetings that were back to back that were in separate locations. And I've actually been on other calls, numerous calls, while driving. Phone calls for the most part but on video calls, I'm not paying attention to the video. To me, it's like a phone call."

People were amused by the senator's move after video of the call emerged online.

"Freaking hilarious," one wrote on Twitter.

"I'd expect nothing less from him," somebody else said.

"The giveaway? His seatbelt," another commented.

Senator Andrew Brenner pictured wearing a seat belt and with a fake Zoom background.
Senator Andrew Brenner was mocked over this Zoom call. Source: The Ohio Channel

The distracted driving bill, which was introduced on Monday, is calling for a ban on using phones while driving, including watching videos, taking photos, live streaming, or sending and reading text messages.

According to the bill, holding a device would also be considered an offence.

Texting while driving is currently considered a secondary offence and police have to witness another violation before they can pull the driver over, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

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