Should License Plates be Driver's Cell Phone Numbers?

I've been turning into a bit of a hypermiler, which, for those of you not familiar with the term, is driving using strategies that maximize fuel efficiency.

For example, when I'm heading West on Hwy 5 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota on the way to work, I can put my car in neutral at the spot marked in green and coast the last 1/2 mile or so to the off ramp and make it up through the clover to the stop light (marked in red).

This particularly strategy doesn't take any additional time on my part, since I tend to end up at a red light at the end of the off-ramp no matter how I get there.

Unfortunately, some people have problems with this technique, including Ben, who happened to be following me to work the other day.

He gave me a call to let me know his thoughts on this while we waited at the light. Apparently, he wanted to get to the light faster so he could wait longer.

This brings me to a theory a friend of mine has had for a while now about road rage: he thinks it could be solved by making everyone's license plate their cell phone number. That way, if you saw someone driving erratically, you could give them a quick ring to offer some constructive criticism of their driving techniques.

What could possibly go wrong with that plan?

Of course, dialing up a license plate would prove distracting. That distraction would cause poor driving. That in turn would result in more calls, thus leading to more bad driving. More calls, more bad driving, creating a positive feedback loop that would ultimately TEAR A HOLE IN THE UNIVERSE! Other than that, I think it’s a great idea!

Seriously, the last thing someone needs when their pissed off about someone's driving is to be able to be trying to read a license plate, dial that into a phone and scream at the offending driver all while driving down the road.

As a closet environmentalist I'm all for saving fuel and have nothing against hypermilers as long as they and the rest of the people not passing anyone at the moment get in or stay in the right lane. The problem of lane discipline and trying to get everyone to police other peoples driving instead of their own is much more of an issue then having a cell number visible for anyone to call can fix.

Michael, how big of a whole in the universe are we talking about here? A pinhole leak, or one of ozone proportions?

Cariann, Mike, & Pixel, could bad driving habits be partly caused by the relative anonymity drivers experience while in their cars? I'm sure there are people who drive like idiots while on the town, but respectfully in their own neighborhoods where they may be recognized.

PlateWire builds upon this concept. Although you cannot directly dial the license plate, you can leave a message for them, and out drivers who tend to abuse their driving privelage.

Comments

1. Posted by: Cariann on April 20, 2007 11:45 AM:

Seriously? What could go *right* with this senario? As if people aren't already easy enough to upset, bother, annoy or stalk! We have a National "Do not call" list, that when you submit your number is good for something like 5 or 10 years... and you want to now put my number right on my car? You must be kidding. Harassment issues, privacy issues, possible fidelity issues... Crazy!

Required fields marked with: *
Name*:

Email Address*:

URL:
Remember personal info?

Comments*:

HTML Tags you can use in your posts:
<b>Bold</b> = Bold
<i>Italicized</i> = Italicized
<a href="http://www.othersite.com">Link to Other Site</a> = Link to Other Site

Please keep comments on-topic. Contact authors or other commenters
directly for off-topic conversations.

Notify me of future comments via e-mail

Technology Evangelist Digest - Free Newsletter

Sign up for the free Technology Evangelist Digest to receive daily updates, editorials, and practical advice on emerging technology trends in hardware, software, webware, marketing and beyond.

Technology Evangelist Digest will keep you up to date on the technology trends that will help make you more productive and efficient both in business and your personal life.

Let's face it: If you made it to this line, you must have found something valuable on this page, right? Think about how cool it would be to have something free and interesting to read every day from Technology Evangelist by signing up today.

1. Fill in your email below,
2. Then click on the confirmation email you receive.
3. That's it. Your first Technology Evangelist Digest will arrive within 24 hours.