BIG BROTHER is ALIVE and WELL,,,,,,,,,

[Ang2dogs]

In England. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/ca ... 57252.html

Not that I'm condoning driving without insurance, but they start with things like this, and eventually, they will monitor how much fuel the honest people use, and next will be rationing. If this is whats happing on the other side of the pond, it's just a matter of time before it happens here in the USofA. Whats next confiscating your vechicle? This whole world seems to be on the verge of becoming one big dictataership. God help us all, I feel for you folks in England.

[machineman9]

I've had a lengthy discussion about this on another forum... But my general conclusion was 'How is this a bad thing at all?'

Uninsured drivers pass a lot of costs onto honest drivers. The cameras are already in place to catch people who leave without paying, and this is just catching people who are already driving illegally.


We don't share the same fear and lack of trust about our government that our friends across the pond do. I think this is a good idea, and I fully support it. If you're not breaking the law, you'll be fine. Sure, there will be some cases of people being unfairly blocked (dirty license plate or whatever might confuse the system) but all in all, it's a good idea.

There's a lot wrong with our insurance system, and anything to reduce the cost is appreciated. I hope it's the first of many steps to make it fairer for the good guys.

By 'a lot of money' I mean that my monthly premium for car insurance is about the same as yours is annually... And I have had no problems in the past 2 years!

[Flying Trucker]

It would seem it is much simpler here in Canada.

A motor vehicle has to have it's Licence Plate renewed yearly or every two years at the end of the month the drivers birthday is in.

No:
-proof of insurance
-proof of ownership
-outstanding parking tickets or any driving violations and
no Licence Renewal

The new Tag with the colour coded month is affixed to the rear licence plate.

It is a simple and good system...

[Apex]

That's right, uninsured drivers cost the rest of us.

[machineman9]

The new Tag with the colour coded month is affixed to the rear licence plate.

It is a simple and good system...

It sounds vaguely like our vehicle tax system, but solves a different problem... We tax our vehicles by sending off some money (based on the emissions that your car produces) and they give you a paper disc with a colour code for that year, as well as your vehicle details and a validity range. It sits inside the car on the dashboard and any plod or parking enforcer can quickly check it. Your vehicle must be taxed and insured to be used on the roads.

Having a colour coded license plate sounds like a good deal though.

I just don't understand the paranoia about 'them' being able to see and process your registration plate - It is effectively a government issued bit of propety, and it is directly tied to your vehicle. It is always on public display (and we have two of them on cars, so it is twice as visible) and anyone can see it. I don't see any invasion of privacy, which seems to be the issue. It is on public show, it is there to identify the vehicle. Why else do you have them?

[Flying Trucker]

In my opinion there is no invasion of privacy...

People need to realize that driving is a privilege and not a right...

[Hagar]

We don't share the same fear and lack of trust about our government that our friends across the pond do.

Speak for yourself. Our government scares me stiff & I don't trust any politicians.

[ftldave]

I'm much more concerned about corporations than by anything the government can do. Corporations are intrusive into the lives of employees and customers and they are largely unaccountable, at least in the United States. Too many of the multinational corporations have zero concern about communities, employees or customers. Who pays for all those lobbyists who are corrupting American democracy? Corporations and their fronts, that's who. Follow the money. Crony capitalism and predatory capitalism is practiced by too many big corporations, and that statement is in no way a criticism of fair trade and good business practices. A guy running for US president said that "Corporations are people." Well ...

"I'll believe corporations are people when the state of Texas executes one by lethal injection."

I've worked for multinationals, small corporations, and also in the public sector. I know from experience that the worst, the most vile Big Brother actually wears a business suit, not any government uniform.

[machineman9]

We don't share the same fear and lack of trust about our government that our friends across the pond do.

Speak for yourself. Our government scares me stiff & I don't trust any politicians.

Same =/= none 

There is a news article going around which says the FBI are installing hidden cameras inside things such as washing machines to track down and spy on key targets. A bit shifty!

[ftldave]

There is a news article going around which says the FBI are installing hidden cameras inside things such as washing machines to track down and spy on key targets. A bit shifty!

Uh, LG, General Electric, Maytag, and Whirlpool will make (and monitor) those washing machines. Not the FBI! It'll be part of your "service agreement."

[expat]

Firstly it is very old news. I came across this system several years ago at a filling station on the M11 near Stansted Airport. Secondly, if it stops uninsured drivers (I hope it is extended to no MOT as your insurance is then invalid) then

[machineman9]

[quote]Firstly it is very old news. I came across this system several years ago at a filling station on the M11 near Stansted Airport. Secondly, if it stops uninsured drivers (I hope it is extended to no MOT as your insurance is then invalid) then

[expat]

Simply immobilise the car if it shouldn't be driving.

As I said, you can't get much more immobilised than crushing it 

Matt

[machineman9]

[quote]As I said, you can't get much more immobilised than crushing it

[Steve M]

I can't understand why anyone thinks auto insurance would go down in price for any reason. If you could eliminate all idiots and all accidents and all car theft and all vandalism.. YOUR premiums will not go down. Trust me.