Malaysia Lets Drivers With Camera Phones Turn In Bad Drivers
from the take-that dept
Talk about taking the law into your own hands. Over in Malaysia, apparently the government is encouraging drivers to snap photos of bad drivers and then upload them to a website where traffic officials decide whether or not to assess a fine. The Raw Feed accurately notes that, apparently, traffic officials are much less concerned about drivers snapping photos while they should be paying attention to the road. Apparently the website is a big hit in Malaysia. It's funny, people seem to get quite upset by automated roadside/traffic cameras -- but when it comes to other motorists turning people in, it's less of a concern.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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I can sort of see why...
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An Exercise in Risk
I once snapped a picture of a driver doing over 110kmph on my phone camera (the legal limit was 90kmph on that road). I was pissed because he was weaving in and out of traffic. What happened was that he saw me snapping his picture and tailed me for another 5km or so, even beating a red light to follow me. Goodness knows, but I erased the photo before anything might happen -- but he got bored and gave up the chase.
Plus that there were a few road-rage incidents on Malaysian roads that ended up in the demise of an offending motorist, I'd think twice before squaling in this part of the world.
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Re: I can sort of see why...
The real reason people here in the US don't want cameras is because we have gotten so used to breaking the "little" laws like that, we don't want to deal with it anymore.
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Re: I can sort of see why...
As far as Malaysian drivers go, while the laws tend to be subtle suggestions at best, at least they look in their mirrors from time to time.
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Laws
Most people have lives outside of all of that to pursue other interests, like artwork, teaching or perhaps medicine. They don't have time to be bothered with enforcing the law.. that's what the police are for!
Citizens should never be encouraged to take law enforcement into their own hands, even by their own government. If that be the case.. then what is the purpose of government after all?
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No Subject Given
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The Ministry of Love
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No Subject Given
It also smacks of invasion of ones right to privacy. America has always held that what you do is your business unless you put someone else in danger. Until you actually break the law the government has no right to monitor you though (see wiretap warrants).
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Re: No Subject Given
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Re: No Subject Given
I may agree with the intent of the idea but the reality of what it would bring and how the precedent will be used is too dangerous of a thing to entrust to any government.
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Re: No Subject Given
You know there's no way that this is going to last. The technology is too insecure and all it really takes is to photoshop up a good fake picture with a government plate and I think they will see the light.
Plus, isn't law enforcement trying to get the cellphones out of drivers' hands? This smells like poor planning. I give it a year at the most before they decide that this isn't going to work.
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Re: No Subject Given
... That's what North Korean/Chinese/Rwandan officials keep saying but you know us crazy US citizens and our "rights" and all.
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Re: The Ministry of Love
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Re: No Subject Given
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Re: Laws
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Re: No Subject Given
You don't have a right to privacy driving on a public street. Inside the car is considered private property, however on the road, there is no privacy when it is open view.
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Re: Laws
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I Do This!
I am sick to death of people cheating - running red lights - and the government using it as an excuse to spy on everyone.
I've started carrying my little digital camera with me when I drive and whenever possible, I shoot pictures of these jerks. (Not while driving personally, but either at lights or as a passenger).
Not sure what I'm going to do with the photos, but for now, just recording their incredibly inconsiderate behavior is satisfying.
MjM
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Re: No Subject Given
My original point is that once the cameras are there they will end up being used for more. It is simply a matter of time before some enterprising lawyer/business decides to try it. Look at the data gathering (and thus data availability) techniques used now for an example of things to follow this. To give the government the ability to do something like this is asking for abuse. Just because it is ok in one way they will interpret it to be ok in any way until someone holds them to account for every way that isn't. You can't trust a bunch of beaurucrats to protect/respect your rights when they gain by your loss.
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No Subject Given
I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with this legally, although I think the problems with prosecuting make this a waste of time in general.
The problem, instead, lies in the creation of an "informer" mentality; and this actively encourages that.
(and also, the "right to privacy", if any, is extremely limited.)
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No Subject Given
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Re: true true
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Re: Laws
So you must also believe being a witness at a crime or accident scene is enforcing the law right?
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Re: I can sort of see why...
Red is STOP
Green is GO
and Yellow is SLOW DOWN!
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