Licenses plate readers

[(s)AINT]

This being related to Surveillance Cameras in Public Streets. Police have the capabilities (in limited numbers) to automatically scan lisences plates while patrolling. The video below explains in more detail.



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Some people claim, judging by the comments, that it invades the rights of people and equates this new technology to Big brother and a totalitarian system. Are those assumptions valid? IMO this is great techonology that will save tons of time. Not only that it will be easier to catch criminals.

[xcorps]

I have to disagree with the infringement argument. Driving a motor vehicle on a public road is a privilege afforded by the state. The state has the power to enact enforcement of safe driving standards, and that power trumps your right to privacy. Unless one could make the argument that a drivers license is an infringement, which I also don't support.

[MathiasOfAthens]

I have to disagree with the infringement argument. Driving a motor vehicle on a public road is a privilege afforded by the state. The state has the power to enact enforcement of safe driving standards, and that power trumps your right to privacy. Unless one could make the argument that a drivers license is an infringement, which I also don't support.

Agreed.

[Hilarion]

I have to disagree with the infringement argument. Driving a motor vehicle on a public road is a privilege afforded by the state. The state has the power to enact enforcement of safe driving standards, and that power trumps your right to privacy. Unless one could make the argument that a drivers license is an infringement, which I also don't support.

I agree with this, although from there one could also make the argument that private property is a privilege afforded by the state, and therefore attempt to justify all sorts of government intervention.

[xcorps]

I agree with this, although from there one could also make the argument that private property is a privilege afforded by the state, and therefore attempt to justify all sorts of government intervention.

No, private property and the right to be secure in it is an unalienable right. The state is bound to protect that right.

[justicar5]

No, private property and the right to be secure in it is an unalienable right. The state is bound to protect that right.

so your right to own a car is protected, but by driving it you agree to all relevant traffic laws? I can see that.

[removeduser_4536284751384]

so your right to own a car is protected, but by driving it you agree to all relevant traffic laws? I can see that.

You could drive it on private property. You don't need to pay tax or be insured to do that. Plenty of TV programs show cars being driven at high speed on private property.

[xcorps]

so your right to own a car is protected, but by driving it you agree to all relevant traffic laws? I can see that.

Yep. You also agree to pay taxes on it and have it duly registered, as well as keep it maintained to certain standards (headlights, turn signals, etc) as well as drive it in a proscribed manner (right side of the road, safe speed, blah blah).

But you make that agreement when you get a drivers license, not when you buy a car.

[Sphere]

Wait, so you go to the DMV, apply to the government for a licence plate/registration of a vehical, pay a yearly fee to the government to maintain that registration, follow government laws requiring proper display of the licence plate, all of which is fine. But the police using an automatic license plate scanner is "Big Brother"?

I've enjoyed the benefits of lazy/inefficient cops on many occasions as well (2 hour parking area's ... right), but I never considered it a Civil Right.

[(s)AINT]

Yeah and that they store it and data mine. Doesn't really make a lot of sense.

[MathiasOfAthens]

But conservatives hate it when the government sets rules like a nanny.

[justicar5]

But conservatives hate it when the government sets rules like a nanny.

unfair but funny (at least re driving.)

[Admiral Piett]

I would actually MUCH rather that cops use automatic plate readers than driving right up to within 6 inches off my freaking bumper at night to read my plates.