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Dubai To Launch Digital Vehicle Number Plates (bbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the how-about-that dept.

Drivers in Dubai may soon be using digital number plates under new plans. In a trial starting next month, vehicles will be fitted with smart plates with digital screens, GPS and transmitters. From a report: The new plates will be able to inform emergency services if a driver has an accident. Dubai has recently spearheaded a number of new transport initiatives as it seeks to become an international technology hub. According to Sultan Abdullah al-Marzouqi, the head of the Vehicle Licensing Department at Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the plates will make life easier for drivers in Dubai. As well as contacting the police and ambulance services if the vehicle is involved in a collision, the technology allows real-time communication with other drivers about traffic conditions or any accidents ahead. The number plates can also change to display an alert if the vehicle or digital plate is stolen.

3 of 75 comments (clear)

  1. how long before... by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 4, Funny

    How long before they're hacked to display anti government slogans on every second car? Or just a nice pair of ... mammaries.

    Also, if the plates have an LCD screen, there should be an option to press a button in the car to send messages to tailgaters...

  2. ahead of the game by bugs2squash · · Score: 4, Funny

    plates in my neck of the woods already have digits on them - often they have letters too. They can also deform to indicate that the car has been involved in an accident and if the vehicle is stolen they indicate a unique number - a code if you will - that can be used to identify the vehicle to police looking out for it.

    --
    Nullius in verba
  3. Re:Waste of money, invasion of privacy by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I agree with your rage, but it's already happened in parts of the US, where EZ Pass is required for some bridges and tunnels... this being said, there is a pseudo anonymous cash payment option.

    This being said, a lot of things have taken hold abroad (e.g fingerprinting to buy groceries in Venezuela) that don't exist in the US or EU.

    Maybe the best thing to happen to the world would be a massive trade war and recession that will set the progress of privacy robbing tech back 50 years and cause superpowers to go bankrupt.