Slightly OT Big Brother II

[steve abella]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/transport/article334686.ece

Britain will be first country to monitor every car journey
From 2006 Britain will be the first country where every journey by every car will be monitored ......The network will incorporate thousands of existing CCTV cameras which are being converted to read number plates automatically night and day to provide 24/7 coverage of all motorways and main roads, as well as towns, cities, ports and petrol-station forecourts


My condolences to the guys across the pond

[plongo]

I guess that British police have never heard of stolen plates. Talk about using an atom bomb to swat a fly....

[Trevor Rossack]

Stolen plates work fine up until the point that they are repoted stolen and then you are toast.

I guess the authorities are saying it is all in the name of 'safety' as it reduces the number unregistered and uninsured vehicles on the road as well as tracking any stolen vehicles.

The system does have some good points but I don't like that level of monitoring. Welcome to the 21st century!! I think that people would be surprised just how often they already are being monitored in cities.

I would not be surprised at all if the Victorian Gubmint would be the first in Australia to install such a system.

[motoman]

Seems like some kind of GPS system would be more efficient.

What's next? Residential loo surveillance to monitor sewer load levels?

[branners]

In this state (Victoria Australia) we have limited monitoring on tollways. When it was introduced, there was a BB-style outcry from the civil libertarians but the government ASSURED us that it would not use the data for any other purpose. I am not concerned whatsoever...
Anyone know what that strange click is on my phone?

[1967 R50/2]

I would suggest that our British colleagues vote the responsible politicians out of office. Or apply political pressure where necessary.

[1100s nut]

I wish they would do this in charlotte and in miami, the worst places I have ever driven in. I get pissed everyday I drive in charlotte, we have the dumbest drivers in the world, slow in left lane, fast in right lane, tail gate close and then closer in rain and on your bumper in snow.
Lane

[be_are_why]

London must call on there most famous super-hero "Angle-Grinder Man" This guy is the best

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3112670.stm

he will save London.

Superhero' takes on clampers {wheel boots}
Angle-grinder Man
The self-proclaimed superhero operates in Kent and London
Clad in a blue leotard and wielding a saw, a man claiming to be the UK's first wheel clamp vigilante is offering his services to motorists.

Angle-grinder Man - a self-proclaimed superhero - patrols by night looking for unhappy drivers who have been clamped and then sets their cars free.

He promises to take on clamping firms, speed cameras and the congestion charge on behalf of drivers.

An odd-job man by day, he claims to operate in Kent during the week and in London at weekends

[be_are_why]

A-G-M saves london !