Cameras at U.K. gas stations will block uninsured drivers from refueling

[AndreaGail]

A new plan from the British government will use closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at gas stations that will automatically prevent uninsured drivers from filling up their gas tanks—that is, until their vehicle information has been logged in the system.

The Mirror reports that the plan is meant to address the 1.4 million uninsured motorists in Britain and act as a deterrent. That may not sound like a huge number compared with the estimated 13.8 percent of uninsured American motorists, but the 1.4 million figure represents four percent of all U.K. drivers.

The British government decided to make use of the CCTV cameras after hearing a presentation from accounting firm Ernst & Young, which will help implement the new system. And while the proposal comes from the private sector but will be used by the government, it's hard to not immediately think of British author George Orwell's seminal novel "1984."

"The key to this is simplicity. Connecting the existing technology ... is relatively inexpensive and wouldn't be a big information technology program" Ernst & Young partner Graeme Swan told the Telegraph. "There shouldn't be concerns about 'big brother' because there is no new database, no vehicles are tracked and no record is kept. It's simply a new rule of no insurance equals no fuel."

The decision is already being met with complaints from gas station owners, who say the proposed law puts them in a compromising position.

"Staff are already getting stick [flack] from motorists for high fuel prices," Brian Madderson, from RMI Petrol, told the Mirror. "This proposal will increase the potential for conflict. Our cashiers are not law enforcers."



Several thousand CCTV cameras, which are currently being used to deter drivers from leaving the station without paying for their gas, have already been installed at stations around the country.

So could British gas attendants start seeing a line of uninsured drivers with empty tanks filling up their station lanes? Not exactly. The Mirror notes that uninsured drivers will still be able to fuel up, but only after the camera has captured and logged their license plate numbers.

And the inconvenience works both ways: Insured drivers will have to wait for their information to be verified before they are allowed to fuel up too. Which leads us to wonder, just how much of a deterrent to driving without insurance will this new system be?

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/cameras-u-k-gas-stations-block-uninsured-drivers-155857252.html

[palani]

Predicting a sudden rash of CCTV cameras exploding unexpectedly.

British have been trying for longer than most to curtail government. They have also been as unsuccessful.

[Book]

http://image.minoc.com/zd_images/2001/41/011011_bert_kl.jpg

They originally said we needed these cameras to catch the evil terrorists.

::)

[Glass]

Predicting a sudden rash of CCTV cameras exploding unexpectedly.

British have been trying for longer than most to curtail government. They have also been as unsuccessful.

I don't think the british actually try. They seem predisposed to being ruled over by others. I know a few and all of them are dedicated subjects. Mostly impossible to talk to about anything factual re law, commerce, satanic rulers etc.

[Neuro]

I don't think the british actually try. They seem predisposed to being ruled over by others. I know a few and all of them are dedicated subjects. Mostly impossible to talk to about anything factual re law, commerce, satanic rulers etc.

I agree, I lived there for 5 years. You have a small percentage that gets it in all the classes. But I would say that about 60% is working class and they are mostly thugs. 35% is middle class and most have their head up their arse. 5% are upper class and they are mostly arrogant bastards!

[Hatha Sunahara]

Neuro's description of the British is pretty close to that of the USA. Here we have 10% who think for themselves, and 1% Who own everything and hate everybody. Everybody else needs to be told what to do. It's pretty much the same world wide. The control freaks are having a field day.


Hatha

[Spectrism]

Just a few years ago I thought it nearly impossible to reach the biblical standard of governments being so powerful that one could not buy or sell unless they took the mark of the beast.

THIS SUMMER, the day of the beast will arrive. The restrictions and controls on everything you do will increase beyond your worst nightmares. Now, I don't think these things nearly impossible anymore.

[Twisted Titan]

It's simply a new rule of no insurance equals no fuel."


It's simply a new rule of no insurance equals NO FOOD."


just that quick........wait and see

[osoab]

http://www4.baby99.co.uk/f-3/111224/Patriot-Paintball-Gun.jpg

[Neuro]

In a time of petrol shortness (like WWIII), they could easily reprogram the system so that only people on the VIP list can fill up the tank, which would also save them time because non of the goy would attempt to refuel...