RE: Graduated drive licenses

[Anton Gaidos III <anton_gaidos_iii@firepower.com>]

I don't like this idea. It is a good idea and shows some sharp thinking
but it is much too intrusive for me. It would require more government,
more bureaucracy and more infringement on personal liberty. The object
here is to hold on to our hard earned income not come up with new
reasons for Uncle Sam to take it from us. 
  If you want to drive fast I suggest some hardcore lobbying of your
congressperson. Make then impose lane conformity, i.e. no passing on the
right, slower cars merge right, vehicle safety inspections that mean
something and all big rigs in the right lane only plus better driver's
training. We can vastly improve our situation by rewriting some outdated
and misconceived laws. If you read the stats on how the U.S. compiles
speed related accidents in this country you would be shocked. It is
completely self-serving and a sham. In the former Soviet Union it was
called propaganda, here we call it news. Keep that in mind.
 The Escort driver with the 5 DUI's you mentioned should simply be
forced to support public transit. If a person gets just two DUI's, it is
pretty obvious this person needs a lesson in respecting the life and
liberty of his/her fellow humans. Put them on the bus for a while - that
will sober them up!( no offense to the countries that have great transit
systems - we don't) What is that saying? Burn me once, shame on you.
Burn me twice shame on me. Something like that.
 I'm not knocking your idea and in fact it won't be long before our
freeways are completely wired. Your vision may be more accurate then you
think. I just don't like the ramifications personally. I'm old fashioned
and don't want too much automation messing with my driving. Someday my
kids are going to wonder about me when their automated cars are
effortlessly speeding them to their destination while I've still got the
wheel in my own hands. Hopefully by then it  will be a hydrogen turbine
powering my Quattro.
Anton
>----------
>From: 	colin cohen[SMTP:102621.2256@compuserve.com]
>Sent: 	Saturday, February 15, 1997 12:12 AM
>To: 	quattro@coimbra.ans.net
>Subject: 	Graduated drive licenses
>
>Peter Henriksen's suggestions for a graduated license procedure rang a lot of
>bells with me. The technology exists fot he qualification and managment of a
>process such as that which he suggests. When you are awarded your license at
>what ever level, you would have a Smart card encrypted with your approval
>code.
>When you entered the vehicle, you would put the card into a slot which is
>wired
>to the on board modem. This modem would trigger antenna buried in the road
>just
>like those that activate traffic signals or parking barriers. The trigger
>would
>cause actions to be taken which would result in fines, police notification,
>free passage, barriers etc. The modem is a proven technology already in use
>in
>many parts of the world for buss and rail transport and in its simplest form
>is
>used to pay turnpoike tolls. Thus I could charge (as the the theoretical all
>powerful king of ideal land) a whole bunch of money to the Bentley T owner
>who
>travels over 100 mph, and a similar amount to the Ford Escort owner with 5
>drunk driving citations who travels in excess of 55. Plus all my pals with
>Quattros and list membership would get to drive free! Just another way to
>dispense politcal favor and graft.
>
>Over to you lot!
>
>